The first thing I ask a musician to gain insight into his/her work is always: “What style would you consider your music?” The answer provides a general idea of how their work is seen, and also shows a glimpse of how the artist views his own work, and life in general. The answer, different every time, usually evokes the same sort of response.
“Country/pop is what most people think,” says Bowling Green songstress Abby Ray, sounding a bit annoyed, “but I consider it to be more alternative rock or alternative country.” Although it definitely has a country feel, what sets her music apart is, first and foremost, her lyrics. Ray has been blending lightly-twanged guitar with somber, melancholy alternative rock lyricism since 2007. “I consider myself a storyteller more than a singer,” says Ray, singing the songs she writes, not writing songs to sing. That focus is evident when she is asked about her inspirations, which include great storytellers like Susan Tedeschi and Bob Dylan. Instead of relying on what the crowd wants (the nature of pop music), she plays music that inspires her, in hopes that the crowd will agree (the nature of alternative rock, wearing your heart for everyone to see).
Making music
Helping people to forget their everyday troubles is an invaluable escape that musicians provide. Unfortunately, not everyone respects the sacrifices a musician must inevitably make. “People see it as a hobby. It’s hard, it’s a business, and people don’t realize that.” Ray continued to rattle off a list of at least 20 different jobs a musical artist must do to be successful; charity work, tour manager, referee, artist relations, promotion, booking, press, etc. “The idea that a musician only works on stage is a slap in the face.” She also expressed her respect for the bars, clubs, and all other venues that “are fair to bands as far as payment and promotion.” It’s not easy to do all that work out of pocket or for an empty house.
Plans for her upcoming album take this storyteller persona to the next level. “The new album is going to be a variety [of styles], but the most important thing is that the music reflects the words.” The project will begin with Ray at age 12, realizing she wants to make music, and continues to the present, including the family she has and the life she has grown into. Ray credits her songwriting partner, Cory Hillman, for all he has done for her musically and throughout her life. She and Hillman joined forces in 2010 after the release of her debut LP, The Naked Truth. Hillman has added a noticeable layer of complexity to her music.
Hillman co-writes much of Abby’s material, and with the addition of a new Producer (Bob Davenport) and new Sound Engineer (Chris Stohl), she hopes to breathe new life into her lyrics. “Sometimes [studio recordings] can sound so polished, it takes away from the depth of the storytelling,” explains Ray, who strives for a more “live sound” for the new record. She is hoping a change in studio space will help achieve that energy, as her band moves to Holland OH’s Audio Flare Studios, which has a large room for live recording.
Before that new record is released, Ray will tour around Ohio this summer, and will play Andrea’s Sports Pub, 3338 W. Alexis Rd., on Friday, May 24. She will take the stage at midnight as an acoustic three-piece. Ray’s new single, “Baby Girl,” is available for free download on her website, www.abbyray.com.
