Today we’d like to introduce you to Abby Volta.
Hi Abby, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Music has always been a big part of my life, I started taking voice lessons when I was eight! I’ve always loved performing and did theatre growing up, and when I was 14 I started taking bass lessons. In high school I started my own band and realized I wanted to make music the focus of my life. I went to Berklee and recently graduated with a degree in Music Business Management. While at Berklee I played bass and sang in a lot of different bands. This was great as it gave me more performance experience and introduced me to Boston’s live music scene. A few years ago I started up my personal band Abby Volta and the Body Electric to play my original music. Our current lineup is myself on bass and vocals, Dylan Krakowsky on the drums and Jack Downey on the guitar. It’s been a great experience to play my songs live for people and connect with them through music. I’ve also recently started an alternative metal band called Botfly with Dylan on the drums, Sirena Matriarch on the bass, Chloe Mirabito on guitar and Max Greenberg on guitar. Botfly has been super fun since it’s so different from my normal band and I get to scream! This summer I’m focusing on recording and releasing music for my personal project and for Botfly.
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?
Pursuing anything creative always comes with a variety of bumps in the road. While I was at Berklee time was my biggest constraint. It was hard to schedule enough band practices, gigs, and recording sessions while taking a full course load. This led to some crazy weekend long recording sessions over winter break. Finding the right people to play with was also a challenge. I really love the lineup of both my bands right now, and it took a lot of trial and error to find the right musicians. Everyone has their own sound and approach to playing in a band and it was just a matter of finding like minded people.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a singer-songwriter and bassist, in my personal band I play a mix of Goth Rock, Alternative, and Indie Rock. I’m also the lead singer (mostly screaming though) of the Hardcore/Queer Metal band Botfly. For my personal project a lot of my songwriting is influenced by Goth groups like Siouxsie and the Banshees, Alternative artists like St. Vincent and Glam rockers like David Bowie. Lyrically I take inspiration from Victorian and Classic Literature. My most recent single “Bela Lugosi” is heavily inspired by the novel Dracula and my second single “Rabbit Catcher” was inspired by Sylvia Plath’s poem of the same name. My goal as a songwriter is to create my own distinct sound that is a culmination of my favorite media. I’d like my music to build its own world that has a set tone and style.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
As boring as it sounds, I really rely on the “To Do” app, it keeps me organized with everything I’m juggling! I also love the podcast “Poetry Unbound” which shares and unpacks a different poem every episode. It keeps me thinking and feeling creative. Finally, anyone working in music needs to read “All You Need to Know About the Music Business ” by Donald Passman. It has detailed information on every aspect of the Music Industry and has been a great reference point for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.abbyvolta.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbyvolta
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbyvoltamusic?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@abbyvolta
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/abby-volta
- Other: https://linktr.ee/abbyvolta
