Abby StrausGrowing up in Boston's Beacon Hill area, singer-songwriter Abby Straus spent much of her childhood surrounded by baroque music. What really struck a chord, however, were the sounds of James Brown and Little Richard, and before she realized it she was hooked on more-modern sounds. "My love of rock `n' roll kicked into full swing at puberty," says Straus. "Just in time to hear Leslie West belt out `Mississippi Queen.'"

Like countless musicians and songwriters who have come within an inch of a record deal only to watch it slip away, Straus is finding the Internet to be a terrific medium for aspiring artists. With a presence on numerous music sites (including Riffage, MP3.com, and her own www.abbystraus.com), Straus has developed an impressive following. Her current album, The Road, is an artful blend of rock, R&B, and jazz that combines her passion for performing with her fondness for studio recording. Many tracks convey the feel of a live gig, and Straus's studio savvy shines through without making the music sound contrived.

Upon moving to New York in 1984, Straus became interested in studio engineering. After learning the ropes on an 8-track system, she eventually graduated to a 24-track setup consisting of a D&R console and an MCI JH-24 multitrack. Now she tracks with four ADATs linked to an Oram BEQ-32. "Over the years, I've recorded and produced all kinds of acts. In the midst of all this engineering, I kept writing, and one day I decided it was time to make my own record. The result was The Road."

Straus credits the Internet with her recent successes. "The Internet enables musicians to reach people all over the world, and you never know which one of those people might bring that lucky break," she says. "A music career can be a real crapshoot, but the Internet increases the odds of winning."