Singer-Songwriter Abe Yellen on Taking the Long Train out of Heartbreak—and into the “South of Italy”

Abe Yellen’s “South of Italy” feels like getting lost in a dream.

It’s a dream full of questions about a love gone wrong. Anyone who has felt the pangs of heartbreak can understand the anguish of wondering, “Will I ever get this feeling again?”

A pre-chorus of layered harmonies (“ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh”) reminiscent of the Beach Boys leads into a chorus where the singer is stuck, in a loop like the recurring guitar chords, “Crying in a bathroom stall about you.”

Then the song reaches a climax. Suddenly the musical world gets bigger, as drums and orchestra enter, changing the perspective and leading us out of the dream.

Try another town outside the country
Take another train to the south of Italy
Little does she know what really sent me
Painted on the old church walls in front of me

The song’s slow build to the big payoff is a reminder that moving through heartbreak, grief, and loss can take time—like taking the scenic train to the “South of Italy.” One such actual train ride, to Positano on the Amalfi coast, did, in fact, inspire the song’s lyrics.

Yellen says, “When something hard happens, we just want to move on to the next thing as quickly as possible, dive in and not look back, and just put blinders on. But it's okay to sit in sorrow for a long time and let it run its course. And to eventually be able to move on. But take your time.”

Music is in Yellen’s bloodline. An aunt has won Grammys; an uncle is the touring guitarist for country superstar Kenny Chesney. His mother sang in Church, which is how Abe got his start in music—playing his mom’s guitar in front of the congregation.

Professionally, Abe got his first break while working as a roadie in his brother Winston’s indie folk outfit, Night Beds. One night, when the drummer split on the way to a date in Minneapolis, Winston gave him a chance: “Abe, you’re playing drums tonight.” The fact that he didn’t actually know how to play the drums was but a small matter; he figured it out.

He’s been figuring it out ever since, from transitioning to his more natural instrument (guitar) in Night Beds, to building a career as a full-time producer for other artists and building a band in Austin, Texas. Now, he’s moved to Los Angeles, where his attention is on his own music.

Yellen says, “I've been so focused on producing for others over the years, and just making a living and putting my head down. Moving to Los Angeles has been a big transition, but has also presented me with an opportunity to really double down and focus on myself as an artist.”

“South of Italy” is part of Abe Yellen’s upcoming album, The Long Goodbye, due later this spring. Fans should watch for upcoming music videos as well as performances in southern California.

Listen to “South of Italy,” out on January 30th with promotional support from Starlight PR, everywhere you listen to music. Ride along with Abe Yellen on the long train out of heartbreak.

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