THEAUSSIEWORD.COM special interview with Abby J Hall.
How and where did it all begin for you? What drew your interest to the music industry?
My parents are both into music and my siblings and I all grew up singing around the house. We had the Whitney Houston, “The Preacher’s Wife” album, Michael Buble, Prince and the soundtrack of Les Mis on repeat in the early days. It wasn’t until I watched Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” music video that I wanted to start songwriting myself. I wrote my first song, “Ordinary Girl” when I was 11. It’s so bad. I got a guitar when I was 13 and songwriting has been a passion ever since.
What motivates or influences you in your quest to make great music?
I had an incredible music teacher growing up who introduced me to the world of sound and the universal language of music, she saw it with such beauty that has continued to inspire me. Artists like Celine Dion, Julia Micheals, Jacob Collier, are just a few of the many artists that make you feel exactly what they’re singing about. Great artists inspire me to be better at what I do. I love how music is its own language that speaks to everyone whether we realize it or not.
What are some of your biggest goals you hope to accomplish?
Music related, I would love to get my songs into a major movie/TV show, play Massey Hall in Toronto, sing with Micheal Buble, get instruments into as many kids hands as want them. Hopefully through my music make as many people feel valued and that they’re not alone in this world…
What can we expect from you in the coming months? Any plans to tour?
Live music for me has been put on hold with COVID-19 but will see what the rest of 2020-21 brings! I’m planning on another release within the next few months.
Tell us a bit about your latest release and how would you best describe your music?
“All I Wanted” I was excited but also incredibly nervous to release! Each song has a special place but the previous ones I’ve released this year are a bit more detached in terms of them not really being about me personally. On the other hand, “All I Wanted” was written from personal experience. It starts on a positive note yet has melancholy, unfinished mood at the same time. I would say the ones released are generally pop/adult contemporary vibes.
Give us an insight into your creative process. What gets you writing songs?
Each song for me is different. Either I’m feeling a strong emotion and find chords and lyrics to match that feeling or a song can even be inspired by overhearing a conversation or phrase someone says.
Is there a hidden meaning in any of your music?
Yes I like to have hidden meanings in my songs. The cool thing about music is that what it means to me can mean something completely different for someone else!
Success, what is the secret to it?
Good question, a wise man once told me that it’s taking one step forward every day in the advancement of your dreams.
What has been your biggest career highlight so far?
Whenever I receive a message that one of my songs helped someone or made them feel not as alone.
Which stars of the music industry do you find inspiring?
SO many!! Julia Michaels, Alec Benjamin, Taylor Swift, Ruth B, Maggie Rogers, Lauren Daigle, Micheal Buble, Lennon Stella, Chole x Halle, Alessia Cara, Jacob Collier, WOW so many more.
Are there any new projects in the pipeline?
Yes! I’m planning on releasing another single within the upcoming months!
The music industry is constantly changing, where do you see yourself a few years?
I don’t like to put too much pressure on myself, although I love to set goals. I hope my songwriting continues to evolve, I hope to continue to collaborate with great people and I hope to be listening to one of my songs (or a few of them) while watching a show/s on Netflix!
What is your favourite and least favourite part about this line of work and why?
My favourite part is the whole creative and connection process. To turn an experience that happened to me personally into a story people can relate to and even interrupt in different ways is awesome. Music is magic, truly on of life’s greatest gifts and I’m just hungry to dive deeper into it, there’s always more to learn. My least favourite part is when artists and industry folks are more focussed on outrunning each other than supporting and encouraging one another. I think figuring out your why and staying genuine has been helpful for me!
Name a few of your favourite Australian artists.
Kita Alexander!! I Love her music! Also Keith Urban, Vance Joy, Olivia Newton John, Bahlin Wishart, 5 seconds of Summer etc!
The shape of the music industry has changed significantly over the years, including the use of social media, how do you feel about the industry as a whole and what does it mean to you in getting your records out into the public eye?
Every artist’s story is so different and there’s no straight roadmap on how to get where you want to be. I think it’s super important to be putting out your work into the public eye and trusting the process. I really do believe comparison is a killer of creativity which social media isn’t always the best for. I want to push to be exceptional in how I treat people, that is the most important to me.
How will you continue appealing to the international market?
Putting out better and better music!
Do you collaborate with others? Who is on your wish-list?
I have collaborated with others. Definitely it is a goal of mine to write with more artists this year! Top three on the big wish-list currently would have to be Julia Michaels (I’m obsessed with her phrasing, melody dances with the lyrics) Jacob Collier (I really think I could learn so much, he’s absolutely brilliant when it comes to music, Chloe x Halle
(I’m really just a huge fan girl and I love how they produce a lot of their own tunes) Taylor Swift (might just cry tears of joy if that happened)
What advice do you give for other artists wanting to follow in your footsteps?
I definitely still have lots to learn! I’d say you are incredible and have what it takes to go after your dreams. In terms of footsteps, create your own. No one can be a better you than you:)
A message for your fans. How do you best interact and respond with your followers and fans?
I’m most active on instagram or email, abby@abbyjhall.com !
Any last words?
Thanks so much for having me. Hope I can play for you live in Australia one day soooon!
Website: https://www.abbyjhall.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abbyjhall17/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/abbyjhall
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbyj.hall
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