Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tally Schwenk. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Tally, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

Growing up with a musical mom and uncle kickstarted my love for music, with kindergarten choir being my earliest memory. After school, I’d use my microphone to record songs off the radio into recording software and then burn them onto CDs. I wouldn’t go on a car ride without my yellow Sony Walkman. I credit my vocal and writing abilities to immersing myself in massive amounts of music at a young age.

I faced struggles early on and music was a source of comfort for me. I was aware of how hearing a specific lyric, harmony, or melody made me feel. I aim to emulate those emotions in my songwriting.

Over time, my vocal range shrunk, but my tone and ear improved. I didn’t have any formal training, but I managed to learn by singing on my own and being part of the school choir from kindergarten to 12th grade. With professional guidance, I might have kept some of those unreachable soprano notes.

Access to music early on was a game-changer, helping me recognize harmonies and grasp the phonetics for specific sounds and emotions. As I’ve grown older, self-doubt and anxiety have become my buddies, but they drive me forward. To anyone thinking of starting to write, go for it—15-20 years of experience is the same, whether you begin at 5 or 35.

Tally, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I was young when I began singing and writing, but it wasn’t until 2016, around age 22, that I truly felt part of the music industry. I began to envision a career as a Pop/RnB Singer-Songwriter and began spending time in studios and frequently performing live. My goal was to create music I love with people I love and, ultimately, do what I’m passionate about.

In discovering the vast complexity of the music industry, I’ve confirmed my happiness stems from doing what I love, with the bonus of impacting people. Success, for me, shifted from reaching the top to expressing myself and connecting with others. Networking and embracing relationships behind a simple hello opened doors for me.

I’m most proud of my determination, as without it I wouldn’t be where I am today. Despite dealing with anxiety, I remain open to learning from those with more experience and willingly throw myself into challenges. I hope my authenticity shines through, allowing me to be someone others can connect with and relate to.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding part of being an artist, for me, is the irreplaceable moments I both experience and create. In-person sessions, especially collaborations, are my absolute favorite. Feeding off others’ energy in the room is a thrill I can’t put into words. On the flip side, creating special moments for others brings me joy too. Since July 2022, I’ve been an artist at Songfinch, a Chicago startup that specializes in personalized songs. I’ve discovered a newfound love for being a part of strangers’ special moments and impacting their lives in the process. Songfinch has given me an avenue to create sweet, sappy love songs, my ultimate favorite.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I used to believe I was entitled to my vision because I always knew my passion. I expected it to come true effortlessly. Although I actively engaged in solos, acting, monologues, and school plays, I didn’t realize there was more to be done. Even as I grew older I still assumed success was guaranteed.

I learned two things: don’t get comfortable, you need to do the work, talent or not, and loosen the grip on your vision. You might miss opportunities if it’s not in your planned life path. At 29, convenient school arts programs are no longer available, requiring self-driven efforts to expand my capabilities, which has truly tested my determination. Today, my vision has evolved significantly from its initial form, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have found myself in rooms I never imagined. At this point in my life, I’m hungry and I find joy in doing the work, and I’m open to wherever life takes me. I truly believe success is not a destination, it’s the journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.tallyschwenk.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tallyschwenk
• Other: Songfinch: https://www.songfinch.com/artists/99433 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4iCdOgzox4miqtHErasywQ?si=GKGB9N_NRGuYVzfNc8zZDQ Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/tally-schwenk/1245832694