Meet Kristin Allen-Farmer

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Kristin with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I recall when I was in kindergarten, I couldn’t wait to get home from school so I could finish my homework. I wanted to get it done before I played or rode my bike around the neighborhood. I loved that feeling of accomplishment. So, I suppose, my work ethic was instrinsic from a young age, however, there was a LOT of fostering of it that came along the way.

As I entered into my college years, I naturally had lots of deadlines, projects, etc. that required many small steps along the way in order to achieve the bigger goals. It was during this time that I learned about micro-goal setting. Most larger goals are composed of many smaller goals along the way. I learned to get very specific about the smaller steps involved in the larger goal. I’d write them down. I’d keep myself accountable. Eventually, my larger goals would be fulfilled through small steps.

After college, I had many opportunities, professionally speaking, that I wanted to pursue. I decided to be okay with rejection. I looked at applying for opportunities as a game of sorts. I’d plant seeds everywhere to see what sprouted. Some came to fruition and others did not. But the key takeaway, was that I wasn’t afraid of the hard work involved in applying to the opportunities. Even if I thought the opportunity was a long shot for me, I’d apply anyway even if it was time consuming and inconvenient to do so.

I have lots of little things I do while I’m in small-task-achieving on the way to larger goals. If I’m hungry, I tell myself, “I’ll eat after I’m done with this email.” Or, “I’m just going to see this particular task through to completion and then I will shower.” I’m fascinated with the science of goal setting and I love to listen to podcasts and learn more about how my brain works. “The Huberman Lab” is a great podcast that goes into the science behind many things, goal-setting and focus being one of them. Light in the room, length of time on given tasks, binaural beats and bodily posture are some of the little things that can have a big influence on productivity. I’m constantly learning and improving. Life excites me. I love to see what else I can do. That takes effort, but it also gives you energy to be lit up from the inside. Always at the core, the things I pursue resonate with my heart center. They are born from passion and the desire to manifest my fullest human potential.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I (Kristin Allen-Farmer aka “Dream Tonic”) am a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and music producer. In addition to performing and recording for my artist project, I write music for film and TV, with my latest tracks being featured in the new Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser Adventure hotel in Disney World. I started playing piano at the age of 6, went on the attend a performing arts high school, majored in music in college and received my Master of Arts in Music as well. I went on to perform, teach and tour until I finally learned how to produce music in Ableton live. I have multiple solo piano albums signed to Netflix’s in-house music catalog. I was recently awarded the honor of being triple nominated for the 2023 Hollywood Independent Music Awards in three different categories. I love to help people’s musical vision come alive, be it learning a new instrument, help writing a song, assistance in laying down parts for a track of theirs or being mentored in the music business. I have a wide breadth of knowledge and helping people is my passion.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Three skills I have that have been most impactful on my journey:

1) Learning how to play piano at an advanced level. By far, this has been the most impactful part of my musical journey. It has enabled me to understand melody, bass, harmony, structure, arrangement, motifs, music theory how to notate and read musical notation (and thus communicate my musical ideas to myself and others). It has lent me a confidence in my musical abilities like no other instrument could have given me.

2) Becoming an avid reader. From a young age, I have been an avid reader. Because of this, becoming a confident writer seemed to stem naturally from that. As a result of being a confident writer, I feel that I have become an effective communicator which has served me remarkably well. I feel as though I am able to write professional emails and other important communications, convey complex ideas in a compact form and mediate between colleagues in an equanimous way when needed. It is because I am able to cross my t’s and dot my i’s, so to speak, that I may have gotten a job over somebody else, simply because I am able to communicate in a professional manner. Lastly, reading has led me to quench my thirst for new knowledge and new ideas over and over again.

3) I am available. I respond to emails. I respond to texts. I usually do so promptly. I follow up on things if and when needed. I keep lots of lists and follow through and complete tasks that I said I would. I keep myself and my colleagues accountable.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I am looking for other producers and songwriters to partner with with sync music licensing in mind. I am looking for wineries, restaurants and individuals that need classical piano music. I am looking for festivals, clubs and venues that need live electronica or a DJ. I am looking for music supervisors and networks that need music for their visual media.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Dk3 Studios (San Diego), American Hunny (Santa Cruz)

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