Today we’d like to introduce you to Abbey Wood.
Hi Abbey, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My name is Abbey Wood, and I was born and raised in Jamaica, where I grew up singing in the school choir, playing instruments like the guitar, violin, and flute, and doing ballet, swimming, and water polo. I moved to New York City after high school to live with my family and also to complete my undergraduate and graduate degrees. During this time, I was in and out of rock bands as a lead singer before pursuing a solo career. I performed at various venues and bars across New York City, both in bands and as a solo performer. Growing up, singing, playing instruments, and doing ballet really fueled my creative outlets and passions. These are all activities I still do today with the exception of ballet. I take a contemporary dance class here and there. However, I always kept up with my music in some way, even though my degrees were unrelated.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As a musician, the music industry is not a smooth road at all. Unfortunately, there are a lot of unsavory persons in the industry who claim that they want to help emerging artists but take advantage of young creatives either monetarily, creatively, and/or emotionally. Having a support system and people around you who can trust, especially in LA, is so important. Not only am I a musician but also a model and allied healthcare provider, so juggling all three can be very challenging at times. I’m also independent so I do everything myself. One month, music may get more attention, and then the next month, it could be modeling, or when it’s all three simultaneously in a month, I’m hanging by a thread, but time management, planning, and discipline are so important. Sometimes, I can’t say yes to every project that comes my way. Additionally, sometimes, as creatives, we cling to our art because it’s so personal, and we worry about what others around us may think (friends, family, etc); I’m speaking to myself and other creatives out there: release your art. Even if you’re scared, do it anyway.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an alternative pop artist and model. I sing, write, and play the flute. I’m proud of my most recent single out called “NYC is Dead to Me.” It’s an alternative pop/rock record about feeling trapped in your city or hometown. That, for me, was NYC before I moved to LA. I wanted to write a song that reminded me of the music I listened to growing up, that early 2000s emo and rock music. It really resonates with anyone who feels like they have outgrown a place they call home. It also has an incredible guitar solo in the bridge that I wish I played myself. I think when people see me in the person, and they hear the song, it’s something that they weren’t expecting at all, and I love that.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I want to be optimistic that the music industry will one day serve the creative and the music in the future, but the way that its going, touring is getting more expensive for musicians, my friends who go on tour either break even or go into debt from it, Spotify doesn’t pay much and labels take a huge cut. Something has to change…
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theabbeywood/
- Other: https://unitedmasters.com/m/64b5c64255a921b0b913ff4d
Image Credits
Ric Berryman
Alain Vasquez
Gerard Bebekian
Bob Bajorek
John Fawkes
