Q&A: ABBY WOLFE
HONEST LYRICS THAT TUG HARD ON THE HEART, WRAPPED IN WARM MELODIES THAT WILL STICK WITH YOU FOR DAYS - IT’S IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO FALL IN LOVE WITH THE MUSIC OF DUNEDIN BASED ARTIST ABBY WOLFE. SHE TELLS US ALL ABOUT HER STUNNING NEW DEBUT EP ‘LOSE MYSELF’.
WE’D LOVE TO KNOW A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR MUSICAL JOURNEY SO FAR FROM WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED SINGING AND MAKING MUSIC!
It was a happy mistake I got into singing- at intermediate I was in a band as the keyboard player. I was pretty bad, so they said “hey we don’t actually need a keyboard player in the band … can you try singing?”. From there I started teaching myself guitar and writing songs when I was around 14/15. Since then I’ve been trucking along loving what I do more and more!
AMAZING! WE’RE IN LOOOVE WITH YOUR EP ‘LOSE MYSELF’! CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE THEMES YOU DELVE INTO IN YOUR EP?
Thank you fam!! I went through a pretty rough breakup which is what the majority of these songs have come from. Writing has been such a blessing to help me process my emotions.
So breakups are a big part of the overall story - feeling like you’ve given away parts of yourself to make others comfortable.
WHAT WAS THE WRITING PROCESS & PRODUCTION PROCESS LIKE FOR THE EP?
So much fun. I love the energy of people coming together writing music. Creating something that didn't exist just an hour ago. Mind blowing.
I worked with some incredibly talented humans on this EP, so nothing felt hard. Everybody just got it from the get go.
‘TAKE IT SLOW’ IS ONE OF OUR ABSOLUTE FAVE TRACKS OF YOURS! CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE MEANING OF THIS TRACK AND THE INSPIRATION BEHIND IT?
Thank you! ‘Take It Slow’ is essentially a middle finger to the people who ask you to change to fit a mold. I was feeling weighed down by expectations & unsolicited “advice” from people that as soon as I got home that day, the first verse pretty much poured out of me. I wanted it to be a reminder to not take things too seriously and trust my gut!
ABSOLUTELY! WHAT WERE SOME OF YOUR MAIN HIGHLIGHTS WORKING ON THE EP?
I feel so at home in the studio. I love sitting down with a group of like-minded people & creating something that didn't exist prior. Those connections are definitely a highlight.
But even more so, getting these feelings that people connect and share out into the world. Nothing beats hearing a song that feels like someone wrote it for you - I’ve had a bunch of messages from people saying thats how these songs have made them feel. That’s pretty special.
WHO ARE YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATIONS IN MUSIC?
P!nk hands down. I love that woman, she’s fierce, unapologetic & so on top of her craft. She’s inspired me from the age of 10 when I was given her record “Missundaztood”.
WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE NZ ARTISTS RIGHT NOW AND ARE THERE ANY SONGS IN PARTICULAR THAT YOU ESPECIALLY LOVE OR CONNECT WITH?
Always a big Foley fan. I’ve been jamming Wells* recently & I love Anna Coddington’s new record!
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT LIVING IN NEW ZEALAND? DO YOU HAVE ANY FAVOURITE PLACES TO TRAVEL TO OR LOCAL SPOTS YOU LOVE VISITING?
I love our general vibe here. I feel like wherever you go in NZ you’re bound to find someone to have a good yarn with. We’ve got this very laid back look at life.
I love Central Otago winters. Snowy mountains and frozen water - gorge.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST LESSONS YOU’VE LEARNT IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR, AND WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER KIWI ARTISTS OUT THERE?
It sounds cheesy, but it truly is just - be 👏 your 👏 damn 👏 self. Which is something I still struggle with but am working on every day. It’s exhausting worrying what people might think of you.
LASTLY, IF YOU COULD SAY ONE THING TO EVERY PERSON IN THE WORLD, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Don't take yourself so seriously, people aren't watching you, be weird, be goofy, be kind. It's all good!!
THANKS HEAPS ABBY! MAKE SURE YOU KEEP UP WITH HER ON INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, SPOTIFY & APPLE MUSIC.
