Schuyler Fisk on Marching to Her Own Beat

Schuyler Fisk (pronounced like "Skylar") is both an actress and a singer/songwriter, and she seems to juggle both with disarming ease. On television, she’s appeared in shows as varied as One Tree Hill, Law & Order: SVU, and Castle Rock. Most recently, she is one of the stars of Hallmark Channel’s The Chicken Sisters, returning for a second season on August 10. In film, she’s worked across genres—from Orange County to the Nicholas Sparks adaptation The Best of Me. In Sam & Kate, she acted opposite her real-life mother, Sissy Spacek, in a story that mirrored their offscreen bond. But music is just as central to who Schuyler Fisk is.

From the beginning, she’s marched to the beat of her own drummer, carving a low-friction, roots-pop path that favors sincerity over flash and homegrown hustle over industry hype. After signing with Universal Records and experiencing a bit of major-label chin-channery, Fisk trusted her gut and asked to be released from her contract to pursue an independent path. Typically, new artists work independently, hoping to sign with a major label—not the other way around. But in the mid-aughts, when labels still ruled the landscape, Fisk took the road less traveled. The resulting album, The Good Stuff, was one of the most solid and well-rounded debut albums in 2009. It turns out she was right to trust her gut; not only was the record critically well-received, but The Good Stuff also landed atop the iTunes Folk Chart. A breezy, emotionally articulate album, The Good Stuff has more of a Southern California/Laurel Canyon or roots rock vibe than a folk one - think Sheryl Crow or Patty Griffin. Fisk’s voice—clear, slightly twangy, never showy—wraps itself around love, loss, and small-town yearning without sounding like she’s aiming for anything other than connection. The Good Stuff is packed with songs full of bruises, mileage, and melody. No bombast, no pretense—just open chords, cracked-open journals, and tunes that sneak up on you like a Southern California sunset. Her subsequent two albums, Blue Ribbon Winner (2011) and We Could Be Alright (2022), build on the foundation laid by The Good Stuff. Both albums showcase her growth while maintaining her signature vulnerability and dodging the cynicism that often accompanies maturation. These are songs that sound like they were grown in mason jars on a porch. Fisk has worked with several artists, including Josh Radin, a collaboration called FM Radio, and a band called Me and My Brother with Sam Wilson and Carl Anderson. On August 1, she releases her latest collaboration, a song called “Bout It” with Klauss (Colin Killalea and Curtis Fye). She also recently participated in the staged reading (and singing) of the upcoming musical Anna K.. Suffice to say, Schuyler Fisk keeps herself busy. She recently stopped by Thunderlove Studio to discuss her work, process, and the path she continues to forge. This is our conversation with Schuyler Fisk. LINKS Schuyler Fisk Anna K The Chicken Sisters

Get full access to Abandoned Albums at www.abandonedalbums.com/subscribe