Abe Grossman is an American singer-songwriter and alternative acoustic rock musician based in Los Angeles, CA. His voice and guitar playing echoes undertones of his childhood influences – great songwriters like Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Joni Mitchell, Cat Stevens, Nick Drake, and John Martyn.
What first got you into music?
I was in Africa and terrorists bombed the hotel I was in. My parents thought getting me into music would help me get over the trauma that experience.
Who inspired you to make music?
I’m pretty sure Bob Dylan
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
I create most my music on an acoustic guitar. Are usually start with the music first and then the vocal melody, then the words.
What is your creative process like?
A lot of waiting for the magic to happen.
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
This morning I was thinking Don Fagan of Steely Dan would be pretty cool. But if I could write a song with Bob Dylan, I’d be pretty happy about that.
If you could go open a show for any artist, who would it be?
Joni Mitchell or Cat Stevens
Are you finding the isolation of the pandemic conducive to your writing or is it hindering the experiences you can write about?
I think anytime there’s a lot of problems in the world it’s a great time to express yourself.
With the pandemic, how have you found a way to get your music and your message out there?
I waited until after the elections to release my music. Between the pandemic, riots, and the election, I felt it was better to wait till the beginning of 2021.
What is one message you would give to your fans?
You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore before you decide to be happy.
What would you be doing right now if it weren’t for your music career?
Probably doing what I’m doing which is building houses.
Where have you performed? What is your favorite and least favorite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows?
Are used to perform all over Los Angeles but haven’t performed in many years. I’d be happy to do it again if the opportunity presented itself.
How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?
It’s giving everyone the opportunity to get their music out there. But it’s a very crowded environment.
What is your favorite song to perform?
Probably Here comes the Sun by the Beatles
Have you got a ritual of sorts when writing and thinking about your music?
I always have a guitar laying around in every room. When I was younger, I had a lot more energy to just play all the time. Now I just wait till I have the energy and inspiration to play. Sometimes I’ll wait a long time to get that energy.
What lead you to become a music artist and what advice can you give to others aspiring to make a hit?
I would say just to concern yourself with connecting to music and forget about having a hit. One has nothing to do with the other.
In your opinion, how do artists in this industry stay on top of the game when faced with so much competition? What’s the secret to making yourself noticed?
Find your voice and stick to it.
Which famous musicians do you admire?
Too many to list here. I admire musicians that have touched my life. Not only through their, music but sometimes through their stories.
What is the best advice you’ve been given?
You’re only as good as your consultants.
If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
I don’t give a bleep about the industry. I care about music which is free to all.
What’s next for you?
I want to continue to record songs that I’ve written. My goal is just to connect to people.
How would you describe your music?
It’s pretty much acoustic progressive rock.
What about your music is rebellious, unconventional, or unusual?
Not a thing.
What sets your music apart? What is unique, or at least uncommon?
I have my own style that I’ve developed over my lifetime. It’s uniquely myself.
Has your musical journey had a deliberate direction, or did it simply gradually evolve in whatever direction it found?
When I was younger, I tried to make it fit into the mold of popular music. I’m sure that music has shaped me into where I am today. At a certain point, I gave up trying to sound like anybody else because it was too difficult. I just lean back into who I was, and here I am.
Who are your main musical influences?
I’m influenced by so much music it’s impossible to pick one style or person.
Who are your top two favorite artists of all time? Why those artists?
Beatles, Dylan, Nick Drake, John Martyn, Zeppelin, Joni Mitchell….
What is your top two favorite albums of all time? Why those albums?
Van Morrison’s Veedon Fleece 1974. Bob Dylan’s Bringing It All Back Home”
What is your top two favorite songs of all time? Why those songs?
Mr. Tambourine Man by Bob Dylan and Mississippi Queen by Mountain. These are songs I heard when I was young that I love the most.
Have you always been interested in music? Was there a particular song/performance? that made you say Woah! I want to do that!?
I love music just like most people did. For some reason I gravitated towards playing an instrument which I continued throughout my life. I don’t know why.
What do you enjoy most about being an artist?
That I have a mystical way of communicating with people and a spiritual realm.
What are your plans for any future releases?
Hope to release a new record next spring.
Are you planning any videos for your music?
I have one more video left for the EP that I’m releasing this year.
What are your ambitions as a songwriter and musician from here?
Just to share my music with other people. I have no interest in making money on music.
What is your current music project about?
It’s about my life before I got sober and the years after.
When you create music, what is your personal purpose or goal?
The only purpose I have is to be authentic in my music and hopefully connect to other people with it
When did you start writing music?
16
How do you go about writing a song? Do you have a melody in your head and then write the other music for it?
How do you deal with writer’s block?
It can be frustrating, but I just wait and usually, it goes away after a period of time. I’ve had writer’s block for a couple of months. It’s a little painful and the times you feel useless. There’s nothing more exciting to musicians them being inspired.
Do you enjoy recording and production?
I love doing it.
If you could pass on a nugget of wisdom to the next musical generation, what would it be?
Try to get out of your own way.