Today we’d like to introduce you to Abby J.
Hi Abby J, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I first discovered that I loved to sing around the age of 8, while growing up in Seattle, Washington. I sang in an award-winning conservatory choir and took piano and voice lessons throughout childhood and adolescence, and began writing my own songs at age 9. I released my first album in 2012, during my sophomore year of high school. These experiences led me to Berklee College of Music, where I graduated in 2017 with a degree in songwriting. During my time at Berklee, I participated in two spring break trips to Nashville, where I fell in love with the vibrant music community.
From there, I moved to Nashville in 2018, and my first gig was a writers’ round at Just Love Coffee on Demonbreun. I thought the format fostered collaboration and kinship in the songwriting community, and I sought out other rounds to play. I briefly ran my own writers’ round at the sadly closed Belcourt Taps in 2020, back when we had to sing in front of a clear tarp and bring our own heavily sanitized microphones.
One thing I began to notice, particularly after COVID, was that some of the rounds I went to and participated in were becoming rather homogenous – I didn’t notice a whole lot of variety in style or genre, and it began to feel as though one had to fit a certain country-leaning mold to be considered. As a non-country artist myself, I felt a bit boxed out. There are notable exceptions, Pindrop Songwriter Series being a fantastic one.
When I began working at Tall Tales Rooftop Bar in East Nashville, which has easily the best skyline view in the city, I realized it was the perfect place and time to start hosting my own round again, and Main Street Writers’ Guild was born. We are currently a one-woman booking, marketing, and logistical operation that prides itself on featuring all genres. We’ve showcased pop, R&B, and rap artists, in addition to some fantastic country artists, and hope to continue to grow and expand our repertoire as the years continue.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It certainly has not. I moved here when I was 22 – I’ll be 30 in October – and I have no problem saying it hasn’t gone the way I planned. I arrived in town with $200 to my name and a burgeoning drinking problem, and the logical thing to do seemed to be to work as much as possible, make as much money as I could, and the rest would fall into place.
As luck would have it, right as I was considering scaling work back and focusing more on music, the pandemic hit, and it seemed like all was lost. I leaned on alcohol more and more until it took over my life, and music felt like a pipe dream that just hadn’t worked out. In 2022, a series of unfortunate events occurred that forced me to change my life, and I’m pleased to report that I am coming up on three years sober.
My sobriety is featured heavily in the new music I’m working on, because how could it not be? It brought me back to my purpose and gave me a new lease on life. I may not be the superstar that 18-year-old me thought I would be by now, but I’m happy, joyous, free, and since I’ve started Main Street Writers’ Guild, music is back at the center of my life.
Helping others brings me more joy than anything these days, and I’ve found a new passion in booking artists and giving them a platform to showcase their gifts. My dream looks different, but it’s still my dream at its core.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a singer/songwriter whose influences include Adele, Samia, Waxahatchee, Sara Bareilles, Tori Amos, and all of the amazing women I’ve had the privilege to share a stage with in this town.
As far as the writers’ round goes, I specialize in pairing up artists who’ve never met each other in their lives, but turn out to have incredible stage banter – it’s happened so many times that it can’t be a coincidence. Musically, I specialize in flat 7 chords in my bridges and the key of B flat. Just kidding; as my mom once said, “your lyrics sound like you wrote them with a scalpel.” That’s my specialty; my songs will cut you.
The thing that sets me apart would probably be that I play piano rather than guitar – and, for my keys players playing Main Street Writers’ Guild, I bring mine to every show so y’all don’t have to lug yours around! I learned guitar first because my dad plays guitar and he’s my idol, but I’ve always had such a connection to the piano – both playing it and listening to it – and I feel like the timbre suits my vocals better – I’m definitely an alto.
I’m most proud that no matter how bad things got, no matter what I had going on in my life, I never stopped creating. I write a song or a song seed every day. Some of them are hot trash, some of them are great, but either way, flexing that creative muscle on a daily basis feeds my soul. I’ve never been in a financial position to make music full-time, but if any creative people reading this take anything from what I’ve said here, it’s this: you’re still an artist even if you have a day job. You’re still an artist if you pay your bills doing something else. We all need to eat. Just make sure your soul eats, too.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I had so many musical mentors in my formative years, particularly college, but I wouldn’t say I have one here in Nashville.
As far as networking, the importance of being a good hang can’t be overstated. No one wants to write a song with someone, or stick their neck out to book someone, who they wouldn’t willingly spend time with. Getting sober helped me become that person, because I wasn’t always. Just be nice and cool to other people, because a rising tide lifts all boats. If you walk into a room and you’re the smartest person there, find a different room.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @mainstreetwritersguild
- Other: For Booking: mainstreetwritersguild@gmail.com
