Abbie McAllister takes regional influence to forge her own way
By Grace Koennecke, Editor in Chief
Photograph by Genna Wagner
“It’s been a treat to realize how big the world of Appalachian music is to listeners, and how I myself can fit into that category for some people, though, I don’t care much about fitting in anywhere,” is a statement that stuck out to me as I spoke with singer-songwriter Abbie McAllister.
From her confident vocal delivery to her vivid and emotional songwriting, the West Virginia singer-songwriter has a lasting impact not only when you listen to her music or watch her perform, but when you speak with her as well.
McAllister says one of her first introductions to music was through going to church, as well as being raised in a musical family in North-Central West Virginia. When I asked her about her other sources of musical inspiration, she listed an array of artists across different genres. In particular, the singer says artists like Freddie Mercury, Joni Mitchell, Dijon, Jeff Buckley, Madison Cunningham, and Geese have all played a role in shaping her voice and aesthetic.
The singer also credits how attending local and regional shows led to her pursuing a career in music, particularly in the Appalachian music scene.
“I think what led me to the scene was just going to local and regional shows, staying after the shows and meeting the artists,” McAllister said. “It’s all about making connections and helping each other out. That may be the best thing about our regional music community: the willingness to lift each other up.”
This sentiment is heard within McAllister’s music. She describes her music as storytelling, with most of her songs containing an element of truth within them, even if her lyrics tend to lean more towards fictional situations. Her music is also universal in the sense that anyone can turn on one of McAllister’s songs and resonate.
“I don’t really have a set process for writing,” McAllister said. “Every song of mine is written differently. Sometimes, I find a riff on guitar or a piano melody, and I hum mindlessly over it until words spew out. Other times, I sit and write 10 angry poems at one time and put instruments to it later when I’m bored.”
Recently, McAllister did a live performance with WesternAF in Tennessee, a live performance video channel that documents authentic modern singers and songwriters for the archives of history. She says the recording was a huge milestone in her career thus far, and a moment she will always be grateful for.
“Recording with WesternAF was a dream come true,” McAllister said. “I’ve watched and listened to their work for years and years, so the opportunity to work with them is something I’m eternally grateful for. We set up in a tiny greenhouse in Tennessee on a very cold day, and simply hit record on magic that was already living in the songs. I’m very proud of what we came up with, and even more proud to have done it beside Mike LoPinto on guitar with me.”
McAllister notes a recent show she played in Nashville, Tennessee, as one of her favorite shows this year. Playing at The Chloe, the singer performed alongside other artists, such as Meels, Jackson West, and Jaid Joyce.
The show was a new experience for McAllister, as she flew alone to Nashville and had to navigate meeting new artists and professionals. However, she says the experience was enjoyable and made her realize that she had grown in her confidence as an artist and performer. She also believes having familiar faces in the moment made the show even more worthwhile.
“As someone who started in music as a timid person with only learning under their belt, it was so satisfying to have this experience with my Nashville circle of trust,” McAllister said.
As a woman in the music industry, McAllister says her experience so far has been positive. While she’s aware not all female musicians experience the same, the singer believes in standing up for your values and what you’re passionate about, as someone who has never been afraid to do so herself.
“I’ve always been someone who stands for what they believe in and are passionate about, whether that be sonically in music or morally in everyday life, so I think it’s been fairly clear for me to navigate the male dominated industry,” McAllister said. “However, I’ve seen how it affects other people and have definitely seen it attempt to creep up on me too.”
McAllister says women should not feel the need to hide in the music industry, and that she’s excited to be a woman in music and to see other women embracing this sentiment as well.
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