Today we’d like to introduce you to Abbey Killin.
Abbey, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have been singing and writing songs since I was five years old in a small town called Brookville, Ohio and fell in love with music. I started with small performances in front of my family and after I was finished they would always say, “You’re going to Hollywood!” I moved to Texas in 2008 and began to take writing more seriously in high school and college. My music helps me get through a lot. I have struggled with not only heartbreak but anxiety and depression as well. I used to be afraid to admit that, but I found it’s better to be open and honest with the struggles I’ve been through and by doing so, I have become a stronger person and artist. My music has told stories of how I dealt with being bullied and how I fell for someone who wasn’t right for me or who was already taken. I have also written a song about Dallas because I love the city! I wrote these alongside my pianist, Kyle Herridge, and with him, we decided to form a band. I contacted The University of North Texas and I found some very talented people studying jazz who enjoyed my songs and decided to join up with us, therefore forming “The Afternoon.” We produced four songs late in 2017 and have recently released an EP called “5 Four Nine 6” on Spotify and iTunes containing our songs “Don’t Try to Gamble” (my personal favorite) and “Can We Go Back.” We have performed all across the DFW area including a charity event at Collin College, Opening Bell Coffee and The House of Blues in Dallas! We have had great responses to our music so far and we look forward to recording more originals in the next few months as well as posting covers and songwriting videos on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has definitely been a journey, a hilly one. When I moved to Texas in 2008, I moved in the middle of 7th grade. That was one of the hardest things I’ve been through because I had to uproot, leave all my friends and extended family, and everyone in 7th grade in Texas already had friends… I was an outcast. I sat by myself most of the time at lunch and would go home and cry because I didn’t know how to be myself around new people. However, in school, music became a huge part of my life. I soon learned not to let other people bring me down and started writing my songs. People only have control over how you feel if you let them. In eighth grade, I had a strong group of friends, of most people who were also new to the area or had also moved recently themselves! High school was much more enjoyable because people had matured. I was heavily involved with community theatre and worked my way up from being a part of the ensembles to being leads in musicals such as Grease (Sandy), Into The Woods (Cinderella) and Little Women (Jo March).
During and after college, I got more into writing songs but I was working five different jobs while I was writing songs. I also took film acting classes every Wednesday. I took on too much for about five months. I was under a lot of stress and pressure and finally, during the spring of 2017, I broke down. I couldn’t handle what I was taking on and went through severe anxiety. I began to take medicines to help, but if you know anything about those, they’re tricky to get right. I soon became depressed and almost in a lull. I used to blame myself for not being a stronger person, but now I realize that’s not right of me. What I did would’ve been too much for any normal person to handle and you can’t blame someone for something that’s out of their control. Through tears, struggle, and defiance I found stability and health through my music. If I hadn’t been through what I experienced, I wouldn’t be anywhere close to where I am now. I am stronger and I am very careful of how I spend my time. I work part-time for a videography company called Envirron Productions to help fund my dreams, but I create my own hours and work at MY pace. If I could offer advice to other women just starting their journey, it would be to fully commit yourself to what you love to do. Be wise as to how you use your time and think about how five minutes of your song or music could change someone’s life, or your life, for the better.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Abbey & The Afternoon story. Tell us more about the business.
Our music has a special way of connecting with people through the combination of lyrics and music. Thanks to the musicians working with us from The University of North Texas, we have the unique ability to blend jazz influences with pop vocals and lyrics. I write the lyrics and melody and The Afternoon arranges the underlying music to accompany me. We are proud of being a part of the music community on social media and the support we’ve received from our followers. We love streaming live videos with other artists and building relationships across all genres of music.
Who do you look up to? How have they inspired you?
I look up to many wonderful women, famous or even just close friends or family. Adele was a huge inspiration as I continued to develop my music. She’s been through a lot and she’s not afraid to wear her heart on her sleeve. All of her songs are emotionally driven with songs she created through her personal experiences. I also love Alicia Keys, as she and I have similar styles. She encourages to be comfortable in your own skin, not to be afraid of your capabilities and growing as a person. I am very grateful to have had a wonderful mother who supports me through thick and thin, and I remember her singing to me when I was very young and I would just stare enamored. She had terrible stage fright, so she didn’t perform, but my passion started with her singing to me and I love her dearly.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.abbeyandtheafternoon.com
- Phone: 214-998-5338
- Email: abbey.theafternoon@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbeyandtheafternoon/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbeyandtheafternoon/
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5fIanARlOMXOJpR3Z5YG9F?si=yajL7jAaQ_-h4884m8WzFQ
Image Credit:
Envirron Productions
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