Young singer/songwriter releases original mini albumDate: 8/9/2018 SPRINGFIELD – It’s not every young singer/songwriter who gets the opportunity to both create an original album and be the opening act for a popular local band. But for 16 year-old Abaigeal Russell, that dream came her way this past June when the rising junior at Pope Francis Preparatory School released her first album, “People Problems” on YouTube, then was invited to open for Trailer Trash at Fountain Park in Wilbraham.
The Reminder reached out to Russell to find out what led to this whirlwind experience.
Russell, who honed her guitar skills at Falcetti Music in Springfield, said she’s always had a passion for writing music, but “didn’t start taking it seriously until I was 11 or 12.” A Disney channel fan, she shared that her early influencers were “Zendaya, Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato.” Her biggest role model however, was – and is – Taylor Swift.
“I’ve been listening to her since I was four years old,” Russell said. “She has inspired me so much as a singer and songwriter and I can only hope to be half the artist she is.”
Russell said her six-song mini album; “People Problems” came about through a connection with her former guitar teacher, Richard Shepherd, who has a home recording studio.
A performer himself with an album out on CDBaby – the same service Russell used to distribute her mini-album – Shepherd said he learned his former student had a group of songs ready to record through Russell’s father, who is also his guitar student.
“I took her as far as I could [with lessons], Shepherd said of Russell. “Early on I realized she just wanted the guitar to support her voice ... she’s a gifted vocalist.”
He offered her the opportunity to record her original songs and Russel said she jumped at the chance. The only drawback, she noted, was that the entire project had to be completed in just two weeks.
“Luckily, I had some [songs] in the works that just needed to be brushed up and finalized,” Russell said. Those songs, she added, “Came out of my real life experiences.”
Shepherd, who has also worked as a studio musician and audio engineer in the recording industry, said Russell was “exceptionally well-prepared” for such a young artist.
“She did everything in one take,” he said. “Essentially I put a microphone in front of her and she played the songs beginning to end without error, it was unbelievable”
Most of the two weeks, he added, was the time it took for him to “get the mix” right for the album.
With titles like “If Only,” “Supermodel,” Confetti,” “Out of Place,” “Worst in Me” and “The End,” Russell said writing the songs for her album “really helped me to get through the tough situations I was in at the time. I wanted to share these songs with other people in the hopes that they would feel a little less alone in whatever they may be going through.”
Shepherd said of her songs, “at her age, her lyrics are pretty complex.”
Russell said she chose the title “People Problems” for this inaugural collection “because most of these songs had something to do with my relationships with other people – family, friends, etc.”
Russell said the reaction to her mini album release – the five tracks dropped on YouTube June 17 – was “so amazing but also very overwhelming!” with nearly every song receiving an immediate 90 views through word of mouth among her friends, and the track, “If Only” garnering 107 YouTube listeners.
“This was something I did just for fun and as a way of sharing my music with family and friends,” Russell said. “I was definitely not expecting the amount of support and positive reactions I have gotten, but I am so grateful for it and can’t thank everyone enough.”
Following that, she got the “amazing opportunity” to open for Trailer Trash at their Fountain Park concert on June 27. That gig, she said, also came through Falcetti Music.
Looking toward the future, Russell – who is also a member of the Pope Francis Theater group, appearing as Little Red Riding Hood in the spring 2018 production of “Into the Woods” – said she hopes to continue writing music, singing and performing her own music.
“I would love to write and record another mini album and maybe eventually a full-length one, too!” she said. “My ultimate goal with my music though, is to make people happy.
“I think music is an incredibly powerful tool that I hope can not only continue to bring people comfort, but bring them together as well,” Russell added.
Russell’s parents, Gerry and Tracy Russell, shared with The Reminder that they are very proud of their daughter’s accomplishments.
Shepherd is also proud of his former student – one of only two who have gone on to record their own music – and foresees a bright future for the young singer.
“She is a talent and I really believe she can make her mark in the business, she’s that good,” he said.
You’ll find Russell’s album available for sale on CDBaby at store.cdbaby.com/cd/abaigeal
You can also listen to her original tracks on YouTube on the following links: “If Only” https://youtu.be/amnbOaOuuZE; “Supermodel” https://youtu.be/t7lGmxy-Z2Y; “The End” https://youtu.be/ZBc7rppmkyU; “Confetti” https://youtu.be/g0XkBFNeg; “Out of Place” https://youtu.be/rjhVGV4He90; “Worst in Me” https://youtu.be/-unXGkQ_DQY.
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