“You don’t have to change anything about who you are to be worthy of love, success, happiness, and acceptance.” With this words, Abby Nissenbaum introduces us to her world, where authenticity and vulnerability blend seamlessly with her indie-rock sound. Raised as a classically-trained soprano and steeped in musical theater from a young age, Nissenbaum originally pursued a career in Musical Theatre before shifting gears to Social Psychology. It was during her graduate studies at the University of Memphis that she rediscovered her passion for music, eventually leading her to Nashville, where she began collaborating with producers Riley Geare and Matt Qualls.
Her new EP, Don’t Want to Cry, is a varied exploration, shifting between quieter, more melancholic moments and brighter, more positive tracks. She shares, “I hope this EP feels like chatting with a protective and uplifting friend, reminding you that you have so much personal power even when you don’t feel like you do.”
In our conversation, Abby emphasizes her dedication to community building, showcasing a commitment to fostering genuine connections and creating a sense of belonging through both her music and advocacy.
Photography and interview by Christopher Brown
When did you discover music and what has it done for your life?
I’ve been involved in musical theater since I was a young child. Especially in high school, I was the target of a lot of bullying, but my local teen theater group was a place where I could go to be accepted and loved for exactly who I was. In addition to being emotionally fulfilling, that experience deeply developed my vocal technique as a product of years and years of shows, auditions, and lessons. People can always tell I was a musical theatre kid because I’ve retained that telltale theatrical vocal style, but it’s really fun to play with that style of singing within the indie rock/pop music I make now.
Tell me about your new EP “Don’t Want to Cry” What is the inspiration behind it?
“Don’t Want To Cry” is an EP about losing power and slowly, but surely, gaining it back. It touches on the effects of trauma and the process of healing. The eponymous final track is an empowerment anthem for anyone who’s been harassed, bullied, or made to feel small by others, and the chorus begins with the lyric, “I don’t want to cry, just want to drink French 75s at the dive.” In essence, “I don’t have time to be upset about whatever obnoxious harassment you’re spouting, so I’m just going to go have fun and forget about you.” Some of the previous songs are a little more vulnerable, but I love that it ends on a more positive track.
“I want listeners to feel like they’re being heard and seen. I hope this EP feels like chatting with a protective and uplifting friend.”
What do you hope listeners will take away from it?
I want listeners to feel like they’re being heard and seen. I hope this EP feels like chatting with a protective and uplifting friend; reminding you that you — the listener — have so much personal power even when you don’t feel like you do.
If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?
Just to know that you’re valuable and important simply because you exist. You don’t have to change anything about who you are to be worthy of love, success, happiness, and acceptance.
What do you love outside of music?
I have two cats who are the loves of my life: An orange tabby named Saffron and a lynx point Siamese kitten named Gracie (after Grace Slick of Jefferson Starship). I work a pretty demanding/stressful day job, which can be energetically depleting because I’m already a super anxious person, so I also love being intentional about creating calm and coziness during non-work hours. I love spending time with my family, partner, and friends and am all about nostalgic seasonal activities (read: constantly dragging my partner to some random berry farm, foliage gazing activity, or seasonal festival around town).
“Fostering genuine connections with people and being a net positive force in my local scene and beyond.”
What is your goal in 2025?
To play more live shows and work on a full-length album. I’m also really intent on somehow getting my music into a video game, particularly one with LGBTQ+ themes, which I love to see. I’m a big fan of narrative games and worked as the director of research at an indie game development studio for a few years post- grad school, and always had this inkling in the back of my mind that I wanted my music in a game one day. I’ve been trying to persuade some studios to consider my music for their upcoming titles and am holding out hope it will happen… potentially even in 2025!
How did you get involved with the TN Coalition?
When I was in grad school (for social psychology), my research focus was sexual and gender-based violence prevention, so it’s something I’ve been passionate about for many years. Sexual violence is also unfortunately prevalent in the music industry, and it breaks my heart to see survivors being pushed out of music spaces or facing other retaliation for speaking out while perpetrators of the violence are defended and celebrated. I had already been in talks with the Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual & Domestic Violence about a partnership to highlight Safe Bars, which trains staff at bars and venues to de-escalate aggressive situations, and wanted to engage similarly with an organization in Nashville, where I’m currently based. My best friend from grad school recommended I reach out to the TN Coalition to End Domestic & Sexual Violence, and we got started from there! Right now we’re working on a benefit show to highlight the Coalition’s ongoing initiatives and services they offer to folks here in TN, which will be a great community event.
What keeps you motivated?
The prospect of community building. I love making connections through music and getting to loop others in wherever I can, whether it’s something small (like adding a friend’s song to a playlist I’m building) or larger-scale (like coordinating a show and calling in other artists to play).
What is the most important thing in life to you?
Fostering genuine connections with people and being a net positive force in my local scene and beyond.
Follow Abby Nissenbaum for more:
www.instagram.com/abbynissenbaum
www.abbynissenbaum.com
