Singer-Songwriter Abbie Sawyer on Creativity, Ritual, and Her Most Intimate Album Yet

In this rich and heartfelt episode of Maxwell’s Iowa CoffeeCast, Maxwell sits down with singer-songwriter Abbie Sawyer for a deep and wide-ranging conversation about creativity, songwriting, motherhood, and the power of being present in the artistic process. Known for her soulful vocals and layered songwriting, Abbie opens up about the inspirations behind her upcoming album, her creative rituals, and her drive to cultivate immersive experiences—both sonically and sensorially.

The two begin by connecting over Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act: A Way of Being, a book that has profoundly influenced Abbie’s creative mindset. Abbie shares how she and her co-producer used Rubin’s book as a guidepost while recording her new album, Persimmon, aiming to tap into an intuitive, collaborative energy rather than a strictly hierarchical studio process. She talks about music as a form of healing, a way of “naming the unnamable,” and the magic of knowing when a song is finished—whether it arrives as laughter or a sudden sense of clarity.

Listeners get a behind-the-scenes look at Abbie’s unique recording process, which took place in her own living room to preserve the intimacy and emotion of her songs. Collaborating with Gabe from xBk, they recorded digitally and later ran the tracks through analog tape for warmth and texture. The result is a deeply personal album about love, loss, and the fleeting beauty of life, set to release April 25, 2025, with album release shows in Iowa City and Des Moines to follow.

Abbie also talks about her work with The NOLA Jazz Band out of Des Moines, and by simply choosing to say "yes" she landed into an opportunity that would showcase her dimensional vocal talent.

Abbie also shares her passion for botanicals through her handmade brand, Mama Bare Botanicals. She discusses how scent, taste, and touch are intertwined with her creative practices, and dreams up immersive shows where audience members might dab on essential oils tailored to each song. Creativity, for her, isn’t confined to music—it’s a full-body, sensory experience, and a way of engaging with the world.

Maxwell and Abbie dive into the balance between parenting, entrepreneurship, and artistry, exploring the rhythms of creativity and the challenge of switching between “output” and “discovery” modes. They also explore the vulnerability of recording versus performing, the danger of over-editing, and the art of letting a song evolve in real time—sometimes years after its original version.

The episode wraps with a shared love for Iowa’s creative community, from open mics at Mars Café to dreams of a songwriter’s haven like Nashville’s Bluebird Café. Abbie reflects on her start in music—saying “yes” at the right moments—and the joy of being part of Iowa’s evolving music scene.

This episode is a testament to the power of trusting your creative voice, staying open to collaboration, and honoring the everyday magic that fuels authentic artistry. Whether you're a songwriter, a parent, or simply someone trying to carve out space for creativity, Abbie’s story will inspire you to listen inward and create from the heart.