Denver native rocks the bass with heavy metal band

All About that Bass

From left to right: Diego Vargas, Abby K, and Zach Gulledge

Denver native finds musical success with bandmates

by Abigail Smathers Photography courtesy of Mario Vargas

Denver-born Abby K is heating up the southeastern music scene with her new single, “99o”. The 19-year-old bassist/vocalist and her bandmates, Diego Vargas (Guitar) and Zach Gulledge (Drums), released the song alongside a Kickstarter campaign that would help the group compile some of their 60 plus unreleased songs into a debut studio album.

The single, Abby says, was inspired by her emotional struggles during the Coronavirus pandemic. “I was stuck at home and really struggling,” Abby says. “The song is kind of like a 4-minute long panic attack that takes you through the rising tension, and then you reach the boiling point, 99 degrees.” 99o turns up the heat for AbbyK, showcasing the lineup’s talent with a heavier, more raw and aggressive take on their usual melodic hard rock sound. In addition to the group’s musical talent, this newest release showcases their unique ability to draw inspiration from real-world events and create meaningful and emotionally striking works of art.

After showcasing the piece during a 2021 tour with legendary guitarist Nita Strauss, Abby and her friends were inspired to take their work to the next level, turning to their community for support.

“I do everything in my bedroom by myself,” Abby, who is now based out of Nashville, says. “I struggled for a long time with asking for money, but I just had to remember that most people have a label to pay for it. But I’m passionate. This isn’t just a job, it’s something that [we] take seriously and that [we] love, and don’t want to do anything else. It just makes sense to do this debut album.”

She picked up the bass at age 13 after being influenced by Gene Simmons at a KISS Concert. Months into her musical journey, she was 1 of 3 bassists in the United States selected to attend GRAMMY Camp in Los Angeles, Calif.

As of March 30, the project has reached its funding goal, and the band is gearing up for their studio sessions. “I’m excited,” Abby says. “There are a lot of songs we haven’t shared yet.” Thanks to the positive reception, praise, and support from fans and fellow musicians across the region, the group plans to record in June and release their album by October. One song in particular, Abby says, is sure to be a real head-banger. “There’s this one song, ‘Sweet Revenge’…we wrote it a couple of months ago. It was a song that just came super naturally to us, and we knew exactly what we wanted to do with it. That’s always a good sign.”

You can find the band on Instagram and Twitter at @abbykrocks,or at abbykrocks.com to keep up with their latest and greatest releases, shows, and behind-the-scenes content.

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Welcome Jackson Principi to Fogle Insurance!

Fogle Insurance Group is excited to announce that Jackson Principi is joining us as the newest Commercial Lines Agent. Jackson is a fully licensed agent who will be dedicated to existing client relationships and focus on providing tailored insurance solutions to business owners in the Lake Norman Area. Jackson brings new emerging talent to the industry, joining the family agency alongside his Grandfather, Mom, Uncle and Cousin. As a third-generation family member, he will be responsible for carrying on the family’s legacy. His prior experience includes roles at Alva as a Consultant in London UK and at Centene Corp as a Sales Rep. At Fogle, he will specialize in building relationships with local business and advise them on the best insurance program to meet their needs. You will see Jackson around Lake Norman at upcoming Chamber events and looks forward to meeting you. Jackson holds a degree from Elon University with a concentration in Finance and Economics. Jackson is actively involved in the alumni organizations at St Mark Catholic School and Charlotte Catholic High School. In his spare time, he is an avid golfer, passionate Charlotte FC supporter, and values time with his family, friends, and contributing back to the community.

For any Insurance related questions, contact Jackson below:

C: (704) 619- 4163 | E: Jackson@foglegroup.com | L: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacksonprincipi/

(704) 875-3060 foglegroup.com

Jackson Principi

What do you look forward to the most at Fogle? “I’m excited to join the family agency and help grow the firm. Charlotte presents an amazing opportunity with the abundance of new business’, individuals and families relocating to the area. I look forward to being a part of this great community.”