We finally sat down for a long overdue catch-up with Edmer Abante (or “Mer” as he’s known in Chicago music circles).
If you are a working singer-songwriter or band in Chicago, there’s a good chance you know of or have been approached by Mer to perform at his music showcase. He has been staging the showcase (where four artists are invited to play, have a couple of drinks, and entertain an audience for a couple of hours) for a number of years now. Not only does he put these showcases together and emcee them but, as a singer-songwriter himself, he also participates.
Growing up, Mer was a classically trained pianist before switching to guitar, at which point he immediately started writing songs. After playing music himself and in bands whilst at high school, he initially made his living as a successful touring musician, playing music on the college circuit for a number of years before moving to a regular day job. In his professional life, he’s worked in numerous different roles but over the last few years has been in the technology space, most recently with a focus on AI. This path has led him to become co-founder of an exciting new business called Artist AI with Greg Spero (another musician).
During the interview, we talked about the role music has played in Mer’s life, the beneficial impact it has had on his mental health, and the fact that music has remained an integral part of his journey from childhood to the present day. It was a real pleasure to speak to a musician who has managed to leverage his professional experience and integrate this with his passion for music in his new venture. Not only that, but he was also kind enough to play a couple of songs for us!
