Metalworks Institute Newsletter - Faculty Profile: Brian Allen

When asked what teaching at Metalworks means to him, Allen said, “Most of the professionals in this business can attribute their career path development to one or more mentors, and subsequently are in deep appreciation of the value of experienced insight in a confusing business that is constantly evolving. Teaching at MWI is an opportunity to extend a payback hand to the next generation. When I see that appreciation returned by the students, it imparts the deep satisfaction of completing an essential part of the cycle of life on our planet – the passing of the torch.”

Allen brings extensive experience in the entertainment industry into the classroom. After high-school he left home to pursue music fulltime, with his first band, Rose. He has never looked back. He has acquired songwriting credits for the band Toronto, and co-produced their third and fourth albums. After Toronto broke up, he co-wrote “What About Love” which became a Top 10 hit for the band Heart. As the lead single it launched Heart into super stardom with sales topping 8 million. After this, Allen turned to artist production and development and eventually accepted Al Mair’s offer to join Attic Records as the head of A&R.

Allen’s wildly diverse duties as VP and head of A&R and Music Publishing at Attic Records has included work with artists such as The Nylons, Jennifer Warnes, Rita Coolidge, Sara Craig and Grapes of Wrath to mention a few. Allen has also produced the Moonlight Dancers album for Juno-winning roots duo Bourne and MacLeod, and dance pop diva M-Appeal’s self-titled album. Both delivered top 20 singles.

On top of all of this Allen is still songwriting. Most recently Allen has co-written with Robert Michaels, Colin Amey, Andrea England, JK Gulley and Marshall Dane amongst others. One of Allen’s songs, “Looking for Trouble”, was featured in the tele-film Shania, which aired on CBC in November 2005.

Allen teaches the “Record Companies” course at Metalworks Institute. The course provides students with insight into record companies and their operations. Students are introduced to the various roles, responsibilities and relationships between the various departments and personnel in a record company.