Meet Annabelle Oyler | Songwriter & Musician

We had the good fortune of connecting with Annabelle Oyler and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Annabelle, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I’ve always had a unique perspective on the world. I grew up with eccentric parents who have always appreciated film, comedy, arts, and music. My dad was a straight-edge skater who liked punk, jam bands, rock, grunge, experimental, industrial, and he introduced me to a lot of the bands I still love today. One of my earliest memories is sitting on his lap burning Grateful Dead CDS on our 2 foot-deep Dell Desktop Computer. My mom ran a radio show in college and has a wealth of knowledge about music and Pop Culture, as long as it pertains to the 80s. I always had the idea of wanting to be an artist as a child, but I never felt good enough. My friends had better handwriting, could draw better faces, and could easily draw from memory. I did not have the same experience. For too long, I put myself in a box and held myself back. In retrospect, I realize now that art doesn’t have to be objectively good, per se, it just has to come from a genuine place. Art can be WHATEVER you make it. My story is my art, and I know it’s worth sharing.

I had my first music class in seventh grade where I picked up an acoustic guitar for the first time. I struggled playing through Margaritaville, and I was jealous that the popular girl knew how to play guitar better than I did. I adored music and I held the bands that I loved very close to me. I felt extremely misunderstood my entire life, because I clung to these interests that nobody else could appreciate yet. Music had made such a huge impact on my life. When I had nobody to turn to, my favorite album was always there for me, to get me through every hard time. After that music class ended, I spent hours on Youtube at home, teaching myself chords and notes on my guitar and bass. The summer after that, my parents put me in a songwriting camp, where I got to write my first song. That’s when everything clicked. Songwriting came so easy to me. I felt like I was finally good at something. All of the melodies that were stuck in my head were brought to life, and it changed my whole perspective on myself. I knew this was the path I had to follow. It all made sense so quick, so I started recording on my own.
I bought some cheap guitar equipment, I picked up the acoustic and bass guitar sitting in my basement, and made an album on my phone. I was so nervous about how it sounded to other people, embarassed even. But in that moment, writing and recording those songs made me feel the most cathartic I’d ever been.
Since 2018, I’ve written/recorded over 66 songs, I create my own album art, and I’ve played multiple shows across Philadelphia and NYC. And I have no plans on stopping, wherever my life takes me.

I know this is my true calling, I get overwhelming support today and I can’t express how fortunate I am to have people that have connected to my music and truly want to see me succeed. I just want to make my family and friends proud. Through my art and song, my goal has always been to discover who I am, while also being an outlet for those going through a difficult time in their life. For people who feel lonely without music.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art can take on many forms. I pull inspiration from primitivism, mixed media collage, cubism, sculpture, expressionism, and post-modernism. I create when inspiration strikes; It can be days, or even months apart. Even when I feel like I’m losing my artistic/musical side, at some point I always come back with a strong idea and I prove myself wrong. I’ve learned you can’t force a song that doesn’t want to be made, and I’m still in the process of finding a distinct sound for myself. It’s a lot of trial and error. You can hit a wall, but you can’t stop. When you kick your ego out and let your spirit in, you can create what you want without barriers. Opportunity becomes endless. It was definitely not an easy road. When I was younger, it took a mental toll on me not being able to live up to other’s standards. I was a blank sheep. Nobody had ever assured me that the path I wanted to take was even viable. I felt so misguided and angry. The day I chose to embrace my entire self, my true purpose became clear. Turn the negative feeling into a positive doing. I was so concerned with how my music and art would be perceived, but how will you ever know if you don’t try?

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
First, my buddy and I are definitely going to New Hope, PA. The hub and hometown of one of my favorite bands, Ween. We’ll peruse the local punk store “God Save the Qweens”, (who still sell UK manufactured Doc Martens!) You’ll find tons of Fat Lenny bumper stickers on cars around town. New Hope is so intimidate and colorful, and the shops are catered to artsy folk.

Then I’d take my pal to the Ukie Club in Philadelphia to smoke cigarettes outside, drink cheap beer, and listen to up-and-coming Philadelphia bands. A good opportunity to let loose and enjoy local music. The perfect spot to be on a Saturday night, where you’ll find tons of like-minded people to chat with.

The Reading Pagoda is another hidden gem in my area. A beautiful Japanese pagoda glowing red atop a cliff. It gets a little scary at night, however, the view of the town from above is incredible. I’ve heard it also operates as a tea house, but I’ve never been inside.

Then we go to South Street in Philadelphia, home to a lot of my favorite stores, Repo Records, for all your music media needs, Retrospect, a vintage clothing store with unique pieces, and Condom Kingdom, that should be self explanatory. $3 chicken kebabs at South Street Slouvaki, and Copabanana, the iconic blue Mexican restaurant on the corner.

And as for cheesesteaks go, the war rages on between Pat’s and Geno’s. But there’s a true underdog in this battle. Jim’s Steaks on South, which is now closed due to a fire, but they’ve got a West Philly location that’s just as good. Me and my buddy are definitely getting a steak and trying the banana pudding!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to thank everyone who takes time and effort into putting the Philly house shows together, Brittany for featuring my band in Paste Magazine, Eden for the recommendation, my bandmates Nate and Eric, John Vettese at WXPN, and a big shout out to my #1 supporter, my dad Jeff.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annabelleoyl/

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@notannabelle145?si=-e1PCViesb5OEf9h

Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4eLLenc8erO63EgHD6GWx5?si=Iq4J9J4KQSesMHjf1l1udg Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/annabelle/1480169783

Image Credits
Rowan Ohara Andrew Mackay Kevin King Brittany Deitch