Why We Love Being an Acoustic Duo - From A to Z Productions

As musicians, we’ve had the chance to play in a lot of different settings—sometimes with full bands, drums pounding, big backing vocals, and the whole production. Those nights can be fun and high-energy. But when it comes down to it, nothing compares to the artistry, connection, and freedom we’ve found in being an acoustic duo.

Here are the top three reasons we love playing as an indie acoustic duo:

1. Creative Freedom & Authentic Expression

When you’re in a large band setting, especially as cover musicians, it can sometimes feel like karaoke night—people just want the exact version of the songs they already know. But for us, part of the joy of being musicians is the chance to create, interpret, and express in ways that feel authentic.

As an acoustic duo, every song we play has our stamp on it. We still cover the top hits that everyone loves, but we add our own twist—whether it’s changing the rhythm, stripping the song down, or adding unexpected harmonies. And you know what? People still dance! But they’re also listening. They notice the artistry in the moment.

(If you’re interested in how we approach small gigs, check out our post on playing coffee shop gigs and making them special.)

2. Finding Our Unique Sound

One of the biggest challenges we’ve faced is blending our different musical backgrounds. Zach comes from an R&B influence, while April leans toward country, folk, and pop. At first, finding the “middle ground” was tricky. But over the years, we’ve carved out a sound that feels true to both of us.

The compliment we hear the most? That we’re “easy listening.” In a world where so much music is cranked up to 10—loud, flashy, overstimulating—we’ve found that people crave the toned-down, stripped-back vibe. Add in our harmonies (something we can really highlight in an acoustic setting), and it creates those goosebump moments that make listeners stop and feel the music.

We’ve shared more of what makes these kinds of spaces work in our blog on small venue performance tips.

3. Connection With Our Audience

There’s something special about playing in intimate spaces—coffee shops, restaurants, small festivals—where the music isn’t just background noise but a shared experience. In those settings, we don’t just have “dancers”; we have listeners.

After shows, people often come up to chat with us. That connection is easier when we’re not on a big flashy stage, but right there at eye level with the crowd. We look like the people we’re playing for—because we are. And those conversations and relationships remind us why we do this in the first place.

The Bottom Line

Don’t get us wrong—there are plenty of great things about big bands. They often land bigger venues and higher paychecks. But for us, music has never been just about the money. We’ve played for years without making a dime and would keep doing it as long as people are willing to listen.

At the end of the day, we love being an acoustic duo because it allows us to create something authentic, connect deeply with our audience, and find joy in the simplicity of stripped-back music. There’s a time and place for all styles of music, but this is why the acoustic life is the one we love most.

👉 If you’ve ever seen us live, we’d love to hear your favorite acoustic moment! Drop a comment or share your go-to acoustic cover song below.

💡 And if you’re a musician yourself, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite gear in our Singer/Songwriter Studio Picks Amazon list—perfect tools to make your own acoustic sessions shine.