What Am I Making
What Am I Making Podcast
WAIM #071 - Abigail Hummel's Greatest Night Of Live Music
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WAIM #071 - Abigail Hummel's Greatest Night Of Live Music

This week, I welcome back Abigail Hummel of the Pops on Hops podcast to talk about the show of her life, and more.

Abigail Hummel has become something of a regular fixture here at What Am I Making. Along with her Dad, Barry, Abigail is half of the Pops On Hops podcast, a father daughter exploration of music, beer, and family. The Hummels have become frequent guests here on the show, they’ve even hosted me twice on my house concert tours, and they have become true friends.

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When I asked Abigail to sit down for this chat, I was unsure where she might land with her choice. Being twenty years younger than I am, Abigail of course has different tastes and experiences in the musical realm. While she loves many of the same legacy artists that I adore, R.E.M. most notably, I figured she was likely to select an artist I was not familiar with. One of the true joys of Pops on Hops is the generational gap between father and daughter and the ways in which they continually attempt to bridge that gap. 

This week, Abigail shares her story of seeing the singer/songwriter Brett Dennen at a listening room show in Gainesville, Florida all alone. We cover the joy of experiencing a concert by yourself. Abigail also discusses what she looks for in a live musical performance, including the likelihood that a good show will result in tears before the end of the night. And we cover why that is a good thing. 

Enjoy this chat about live music, personal exploration, storytelling, emotional reactions, and why regular people should know more musicians. 

Cheers,
Matty C

What was the greatest musical night of your life?

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Discussion about this podcast

What Am I Making
What Am I Making Podcast
Hey there. I’m Matty C. For the formally inclined folks in the crowd, the official designation is Matt Carlson.
I am a 50 year old musician, songwriter, and graphic designer that's spent the Covid era pondering deep and meaningful questions about music, film, literature and art in the 21st century.
It seems as though we’re living in age where musicians have to give their music away, content is around every corner and we don’t seem to really value much of any of it the way we used to.
What is it really like to make a living pursuing a life in the arts these days? Why are we seeing a lower percentage of artists in the workforce than at anytime in 100 years?
Now, I’ve reached a point of massive change in my life and I am preparing to spend more of my time, and hopefully, generating a portion of my income from my creative endeavors. That’s a terrifying endeavor, but it’s also incredibly exciting.
I’ll be discussing these ideas and a whole lot more of my own curiosity and creative endeavors on this platform using the written word, videos, podcasts, music and probably some other assets I learn along the way. I’ll be seeking out smart, and fascinating creatives as they build their own lives while fighting an ever-growing series of new challenges and opportunities.
All of these journeys and detours are an effort to share my exploration of culture in the modern world, and to help shine a brighter light on the work I have been doing for years as a musician, designer and podcaster.
This discussion is at the very center of our civilization, what it means to be human andhow to find a meaningful way to connect through that shared humanity in the form of artistic expression. Art is at the core of the relationship. Let’s explore it with that context, and that incalculable value, in mind.
If you enjoy what you hear on the show, please subscribe to my Substack where I also I post this podcast as well as a variety of essays, video and recordings regularly in my search to find out what art really matters to people right here and right now, and they are willing to do to invest in our culture.
Thank you so much for being here. It’s wonderful to have your support.
https://whatamimaking.substack.com