Q: Welcome back, Ally Cribb! It’s fantastic to have you with us again. Since our last conversation, a lot has happened in your musical journey. To kick things off, could you share some highlights or pivotal moments that have shaped your artistic path since our last interview?

A: Thank you for having me! It’s great to be back. There’s definitely a lot that’s happened. Releasing this acoustic EP was a fun project for me because I got to revisit some of my favourite songs I’ve written. I’ve been in the studio a lot lately. I just put out a song last Friday called ‘Calls Again’ with my musician friend Josh Janes. That song is the first collaboration I’ve ever released, so that’s a cool moment for me. I have some new songs recorded and ready to be released in the coming months, which is always exciting. They’re probably all my favourite songs I’ve written to date, so I can’t wait for them to be out in the world soon.

Q: Can you describe the musical style of Ally Cribb in three words?

A: Authentic, lyrical, and emotive.

Q: How do you stay connected with your fans, and what role do they play in shaping your musical journey?

A: I think social media definitely plays a big role in staying connected, keeping the momentum going, and keeping everyone in the loop when new things are happening. I think it’s always super uplifting for me to see when certain songs or lyrics of mine connect with people and make them feel heard and understood. I love creating that feeling of relatability with listeners. It’s a cool feeling.

Q: You have just released your new EP, ‘Now (Acoustic)’. Is there a story behind it?

A: I had the best time creating the original ‘Now’ EP over a year ago, I wanted to do something special to commemorate one year of its release. To be honest with you, I love playing music the most when it’s just me and my guitar, especially since that’s how all the songs on the ‘Now’ EP came to be. So, I wanted to record a couple of those songs using that same unplugged, acoustic feel. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while and having this milestone to look forward to, I felt like it was the perfect time to get back into the studio to do it.

Q: What is your favorite song from the EP and why?

A: Honestly, I think it would have to be the title track, Now. It’s just a song I’m super proud of lyrically. The first line of the chorus, “Now I know what I was missing cus’ now I’m missing you” is one of my favourite lyrics I’ve written. When I thought of it, I immediately knew this was a song I wanted to finish. The rest of the song came very naturally as well. It was just one of those songs that felt like it wrote itself. It captured the feeling of nostalgia and missing someone in the exact way I wanted it to.

Q: Can you walk us through the creative process of producing the acoustic EP?

A: The acoustic EP was produced by Halifax-based producer Josh Kelly, my dad Rob Cribb, and myself. I was lucky enough to have Kevin White and Don Campbell, two amazing guitarists and family friends, add their magic to the record as well which made all the difference. These songs are obviously very guitar-driven and have a more organic, raw quality to them.

Q: What has been the most memorable concert or performance for you so far?

A: I’d say the most memorable performance for me so far was when I played at the May 2025 Breaking Sound showcase at The Rivoli in Toronto. It’s an iconic music hall that has hosted some of the biggest acts anywhere. Walking through the front doors of that venue and seeing how many incredible artists have played there, many of whom I’ve looked up to through the years, I felt very lucky to be able to play my own songs on the same stage. There’s a lot of magic in that room.

Q: Reflecting on your body of work, each song holding its unique significance, could you share a particular track that stands out to you personally? What makes that specific tune special, and why does it hold a place of pride in your musical journey?

A: I’m still really proud of the song “California,” which is an older song of mine, because I think it captures some of my best storytelling to date. I wrote that song when I was 17 in the middle of the night on the world’s worst guitar, and I’m just proud of what it’s turned into. It won me the 2024 Write Out Loud grand prize and was sung by two broadway luminaries Emily Kristen Morris and Taylor Louderman, and it seems to be the song that connects with people the most out of all my songs.

Q: Exploring the diverse creative processes within the music industry is always fascinating. Could you provide insight into Ally Cribb’s unique approach to crafting music? From the initial spark of an idea to the finished song, how do you navigate the creative journey and bring its musical concepts to life?

A: I think it’ll always unfold a little differently each time depending on the song. I usually tend to start with lyrics, then music. Every song I start writing is always inspired by a feeling or an experience that I know would turn into a good story. That’s why I love songwriting so much. As songwriters, we get to turn our experiences and the things we go through into stories.

Q: As we wrap up our conversation, looking ahead, what aspirations or dreams do you have for Ally Cribb, and what message would you like to share with your fans as they continue to accompany you on this musical journey?

A: I would definitely want to thank anyone and everyone who has played a part in streaming, sharing, or supporting my music in any way. It means the world to me. As for the future, my dream is to move to Nashville to pursue this career fully once I graduate from university. I’m not 100% sure how that will look yet or how it will unfold, but that’s the dream.