Artist Interview:abs
We recently had a chance to catch up with the rising star abs to talk about her music, her creative process, and her incredible journey so far. Known for her high-energy performances and a unique blend of neo-soul, R&B, and electro-pop, abs has been making waves with her powerful voice and authentic sound. Read on to find out more about her inspirations, her unforgettable festival experiences, and what fans can expect next.
Tori: Your live shows are known for their energy and passion. What's the secret to getting your audiences so pumped up?
abs: Honestly, I think it is something I am still learning and building upon. I have a major focus on performance in my band rehearsals and always remind them that more is more. Even if it feels silly you will draw people in, and we have watched footage of other bands as examples. The audience wants to see you having fun and feeling what the music is saying, and that is something I try my hardest to do. I also have a song ‘Access Restricted’ which the audience absolutely loves singing along to!
Tori: How does your self-belief and authenticity contribute to your connection with your fans?
abs: I think people really see how much I care about what I am doing. My fans see how much I love what I am doing and really see the real me in the highs and the lows, and that’s what makes that connection more special. I don’t want to fit into a particular box or limit my music to a particular genre or thing to ‘market,’ and I think breaking those boundaries is the real authentic me! I have a core group chat with my fans which I love because I feel like I am making friends and really meeting them on a human level.
Tori: Your debut UK Tour in February 2024 was a huge success. What was that experience like for you?
abs: That was the best week of my life—I was living the dream with my best friends! It was extremely tiring and stressful to self-manage, but I learned a lot about myself, my band, and my performance. And I am incredibly proud of myself that we did that, because it is incredibly hard to organize without a team! I would love to go on tour again and might have some plans in the works!
Tori: You've played at some major festivals, including Glastonbury in 2025. What was going through your mind during your set?
abs: The gig was so surreal, to be honest. It was extremely hot, so a lot of people were trying to find shade instead of watching, and it was such a strange feeling that one of the biggest gigs I have ever done was to a small number of people. But during the gig, I was taking in every moment and felt extremely emotional afterward. I worked so hard and booked the gig all by myself and had a moment of feeling like I really deserve this and all the flowers that come with it. I am so proud of myself for that moment and won’t ever forget it! I had so much fun and gained a fan as well!
Tori: Your music is a fusion of neo-soul, R&B, and electro-pop. How do you balance these different styles?
abs: I try so hard not to focus on genre and more focus on ‘does this feel like an ‘abs’ song?’. This has really helped me develop as an artist because I don’t want to be limited to one genre. Genre is so fluid, and my upcoming EP is such a beautiful example of this—all of the songs are different but all feel like me.
Tori: Your debut EP, released in September 2023, showcases your development as an artist. What inspired the songs on that EP?
abs: Such a range of things! I will explain each song:
Fool around: This song I wrote at a bus stop at 7 a.m. when I was so sick and tired of going to work every day!
Access Restricted: This song I like to call my ‘bad b anthem’ and I wrote it when a man annoyed me. I can’t even remember what it was or who it was, but I remember feeling angry haha.
Blossom: This song is my ode to myself and I wrote it after coming out of a particularly dark period. I want to write more songs about my mental health and write more honestly, and this was the start of that.
Haven: The lyrics to this were actually written by one of the students I used to work with who wasn’t feeling very confident about their music. To encourage them, I asked them to write some lyrics, and I will turn them into a song.
Tori: Your latest single, "Stellar Collision," has been getting a lot of attention. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind it?
abs: This song is one of my favorites! I wrote it in just under an hour with my partner and producer Zak Michaud. I wanted to write something to go on my ‘hot af’ playlist on Spotify, as this was the only playlist of mine that didn’t have an ‘abs’ song on it yet haha! And this song was born. I wanted to write something sexy but musically interesting.
Tori: You've cited Lianne La Havas and Nao as influences. How do you think your music compares to theirs?
abs: I love the tone of their music and the passion in their voices. I love the beautiful simplicity of their songs and love the lyrics. I hope to meet them one day and thank them for their inspiration!
Tori: Your performances are all about getting people grooving and feeling good about themselves. What's your message to your fans?
abs: Thank you so much for your support! Every time you say something nice to me, or dance to one of my songs, or listen to my music, it fuels my drive and inspires me to keep going. And to my core group especially, you are some of the first people to truly believe in me, and I am going to bring you with me every step of the way.
Tori: What's next for you in terms of music releases and live shows?
abs: I actually have new music coming out very soon! My next single comes out in a few months, and my EP not long after that. I am so excited about this new music. I will be celebrating these releases with some very exciting live shows.
Tori: How do you prepare for your live shows to ensure you bring that high level of energy and passion to the stage?
abs: I have very recently introduced a pre-show ritual with my band, which includes a group hug, some breathing exercises, and a ‘hands in.’ It has really helped us feel connected and ready for the show.
Tori: You've had support from local radios, blogs, and newspapers. What do you think about the response to your music so far?
abs: I am so grateful for it! Everything people say about my music really means a lot to me, and I won’t ever forget it. I hope my hard work helps this continue to grow so I keep gaining traction on my music, and I really hope people love my new music as much as I do!
Tori: Can you tell us about your songwriting process? Do you draw from personal experiences or fictional stories?
abs: Usually the process goes: I get an idea, then I take it to my producer Zak Michaud who helps it come to life in a demo, and then we take it to my band to flesh it out! It is so much fun and so exciting to hear what ideas that swim around in my head come to life.
Tori: Your music has been described as sexy and empowering. Is that something you intentionally set out to create?
abs: Actually, no! At the start, I didn’t have an idea about what the audience might feel listening to my music, and it is still learning as I go, but I love now that this is what my music is described as haha.
Tori: How do you stay true to yourself as an artist while also evolving and growing in your career?
abs: I think it is so important to try hard to focus on yourself, and not anybody else. In the world of social media, it is so easy to compare yourself to others and feel like you aren’t doing enough, but you have to do what is right for you. Be consistent and work hard, but do what works for you, not for anyone else or the ‘industry.’
Tori: What do you hope fans take away from your music and live shows?
abs: I hope they have the best time. I just want people to leave my shows having a bit of fun and a dance, and feeling ‘wowed.’
Tori: You've built a loyal fanbase quickly. What's your approach to connecting with your fans?
abs: My core group chat! As I mentioned, it has really helped me feel more connected to my fans and people that have been consistently supporting me. They get first insight into everything and exclusive offers.
Tori: How does your band contribute to your live shows, and what's the dynamic like between you and your musicians?
abs: They are my best friends! I love them so much and I am so grateful for their time, effort, and energy that they put into my music. It means so much to me. Dancing around on stage with them is one of the best feelings in the world. They are all absolutely incredible musicians.
Tori: What's the most memorable moment you've had as an artist so far?
abs: Playing Glastonbury and Tramlines festivals! And also playing to 200 people at The Finsbury in February. That was one of the best full-band live shows we have done so far.
Tori: Looking ahead to the rest of 2025, what can fans expect from you in terms of new music and live performances?
abs: New music coming so soon! And I really think you are going to love it.
Disclaimer: All links and photos are property of the artist and their team and used under permission! This interview is property of TunezandTrendz and may not be distributed for money or used without permission of Tori!
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