Abby Nissenbaum’s rise to musical success hasn’t been the most normal journey. A lifelong musician, classically-trained soprano, and musical theatre performer, she actually pursued a career in social psychology and data analytics. However, she soon rediscovered her passion for music, and a new project was born. A proud LGBTQ+ artist, it’s clear that Abby Nissenbaum wears her heart on her sleeve and fully puts her personality in her music.
Her latest offering comes in the form of E.P “Unreliable Narrator.” Recorded between Los Angeles and Nashville, the E.P is an emotionally-penned offering that touches on many different topics. Sonically, the E.P is sure to take the listener on a musical journey. Tracks such as “Kerri” are infectious rock tracks that come complete with thrashing drums, grooving bass lines and overdrive soaked guitars. Whereas the likes of “Checkerboard Flies” are more emotive, coming with divine instrumentation and ethereal vocals.
Speaking about the EP Nissenbaum shares: “Unreliable Narrator is an exploration of how external situations and inner states or feelings interact to form our internal narratives. I began writing this album in 2019 while leaving my Social Psychology PhD program, and started reflecting on the ways that external negative situations and others’ hurtful messages had been heavily souring my own self-talk and self-perception. I had read a research paper where depression and anxiety were characterized as ‘unreliable narration’ of one’s own life, and thought it perfectly encapsulated what I was feeling at the time.
Especially as an LGBTQ+ artist, I wanted the album to touch on different aspects of my life where I had ruminated on and internalized mistreatment, from homophobia to toxic romantic relationships. Instrumentally and genre-wise, the EP purposely sounds somewhat disjointed, with the one common denominator being my voice. I hope that listeners, especially other queer folks, can find solace in these songs and the fact that not every bad thing we believe about ourselves is the truth.”
Abby Nissenbaum’s music has been featured across international outlets including Earmilk, Notion, Psychedelic Baby Mag, and She Makes Music UK among others. With a clear warm reception from the industry, and a growing fanbase, we can’t wait to see where she’ll take this.