pittsburgh : confluence

Houses, homes, streets, ideas being constructed into a new vision of this city that lies at the confluence of rivers – Pittsburgh. 

 Pittsburgh is beautiful. I realized on the bus ride here that the last time I left NYC was visiting Jimmy V in upstate NY for Halloweekend. This becomes more apparent walking through the streets of Pittsburgh because everyone is alarmingly friendly. Wait, we’re saying hello to strangers? And they’re saying hello back with a smile? WHERE AM I?

Not only are the people in Pittsburgh super friendly, they are hard working. Penn Ave. is a prime example of this work ethic, a street full of locally owned businesses including BOOM Concepts where the show is tonight. Julie Malice (pictured above) is one of the individuals promoting growth within the community and at the forefront of accessible artistic development here in Pittsburgh. There is a sense of community here that I haven’t witnessed in a long time. Things are moving, things are being built, and it seems like the people population is a big part of the change. 

Is any of this real? Worlds colliding and perspective gives new meaning to what can be achieved through sound. I met Shisa & Clay Colonna online through Choongum almost two years ago when I collabed on ‘Coral Reefer’ that was released on Seascape 64 via Hoko Sounds. Now I’m staying in their house and performing w/ them - friends! If that isn’t internet I don’t know what is. URL takes on a different form IRL, a palpable form and it feels fantastic. Living, breathing: appreciation.

Pittsburgh you impressed me, you came alive, you gave me so much love, you inspired me. Dancing elevated; surrounded by a crowd grooving along to my music felt vrrry amazing in more ways than I can articulate/type. THE BOOM CONCEPTS SHOW GAVE ME ALL SORTS OF FEELS THAT I REALLY NEEDED AND LOVE YOU FOR THAT. THANK YOU PITTSBURGH. ♡

APRIL = transient couch life

-> ‘on-the-road’ ->

Hello morning! I wake up, pack my travel bag (midi keyboard + recording equipment included), and say goodbye to my lovely Brooklyn loft. Some of you may already know – I’m in pre-production on a music video for ‘drink me’, the single off my upcoming album Soft Thirst, and the budget is more than I had initially planned for. Music videos cost money, especially if you want fun things like cameras, lenses, a location, lights, and budgeting for one can be super frustrating considering you are an artist with massive student loans and no savings. My solution to this problem is to sublet out my room for the month of April and stay with friends -> ‘on-the-road’ -> a mini-vacation right here in my own city!! That’s right, yur girl is gonna be a transient being, dedicated to her music so much so that she’d give up her room and sleep on a couch for a month straight. You heard me, I’m a couch potato/bum. Honestly though, I’m looking forward to it because being out of your own space opens up possibilities and frees you of possession. It feels reminiscent of packing and mentally preparing for my European Tour, a welcome feeling.

Anyway, I’ll be writing random posts throughout the month to document this transient time in my life. Sometimes I forget I have space for words on this website and don’t blog as much as I’d like to, so this month I’m going to give words more focus. PLUS +++ I HAVE REALLY COOL MUSIC THINGS HAPPENING NEXT MONTH! A Lil’ Pennsylvania Tour WKND Thing!! That’s right, next weekend I’m headed to Pittsburgh to perform for the 1st ever BOOM CONCEPTS ! VOLUME showcase.  BOOM CONCEPTS is a community-focused shared space that promotes and fosters community growth for all ages through gallery showcases, performances, and gatherings. I couldn’t be more excited to be part of this and especially with the people who are involved.

THEN – the day after the Pittsburgh performance I’m headed with the crew to Philadelphia for another dope showcase. My new friend Arielle a.k.a. QUALIATIK received a $3000 grant earlier this year to put together a live musical performance that dovetails music with neuroscience in an interactive and accessible way. SHE’S STUDYING NEUROSCIENCE PEOPLE. This girl is super talented and super lit; super excited a bunch of artists together to jam and share brain experiences for QUALIA. She’s pin-pointing an area of music that is not always touched on – experiential aspects of music and how subjective the experience can be based on your neurological make-up…highlighting psychological and emotional changes that occur in the brain while listening to music. COOL! TBH I’m not entirely sure what is going to happen which is what makes me HELLA EXCITED FOR THIS!

luv u bbs,

stay tuned//more soon

abbi