Abby Power: From “Soul Searching” to Self-Made Stardom

Abby: I think with all projects it indicates growth (hopefully). I think like any artist you’ll listen to certain tracks you made a long time ago and maybe cringe, which I do sometimes, but I also smile because I remember the time when I wrote those songs, and the videos I made for them, and it was a time in my life when there was no worries and adult life hadn’t quite kicked in yet!It’s safe to say I do have much stronger projects in recent years, but I’m grateful for some of the memories I made whilst making Soul Searching, and for the people I got to make it with! It wasn’t a project that was released on DSP’s, only Soundcloud, and the videos are on YouTube, so it’s still very much one of my warm up projects before things got a bit more serious in 2020.

Abby: I think that I’m someone that just needs to have as much creative control as possible with music I make because it’s so personal to me, and that can also mean I’m a pain in the ass because I want to know what’s going on all of the time 😅 so by going independent it meant I learned how to create artwork, press kits, it meant I had to find my own contacts and reach out to hundreds of DJs and bloggers trying to get heard, it actually opened more doors and opportunities without the label than it did with the label because I had full autonomy on what was being released, how, when and where and I had eyes on everything and each bit of contact. It’s hard work juggling music with a full time job but once you get into the habit of things the releases became easier the more I did. It also made me appreciate just how much hard graft goes into being an independent artist, and there are people out there who did and still do a million times more than what I ever did, so I respect it!!

Abby: It made me really grateful because you don’t always get a second chance to do something you love to do, so to have that chance, and to get the reception it did, was honestly one of the funnest and one of the most fulfilling times in my life to date, both musically and personally. I adore anyone that listens to my music, and when people, especially during these difficult times still purchase my songs and projects it means so much to me because I know what that money means to people, so the Amazon charts was a big deal to me in that regard.

Abby: Most challenging was finding the time because I was trying to learn how to do all of this whilst also working 40+ hour weeks and trying to navigate Covid so I would literally go straight into music after finishing work, and when you also have a family, this isn’t ideal because you end up having no time for them and that’s the danger when passions start to feel like jobs or chores. So yeah I’d definitely say just juggling everything and the burnout that can come from that.Most rewarding is the results of that hard work. The reach my music has had since 2020 and the opportunities I had during the years I was releasing pretty much monthly. I was played on different radio shows monthly (I remember my parents tuning into listen to me get interviewed on BBC Radio London, that was surreal)I had different interviews and chances to go to radio stations and things that I just dreamed of doing when I first started making music as a teenager all those years ago!

Abby: I never really give Sam any instructions, I trust him wholeheartedly with the creative direction of any track or project we work on together. We’ve worked together for so long now we know what the other will be able to vibe with and appreciate, and I love that he’s just never afraid to push the boundaries of what direction the music can go in. We both met studying Music Technology in college in 2017 and have been great friends and collaborators since (we even attended each others weddings!)

Abby: I think that music, and art in general has a responsibility to speak on things that are impacting the world both positive and negative. I do try and keep political opinions out of my music but when it comes to something as devastating as what’s happening in Palestine (Congo, Nigeria, the list sadly goes on) then it needs to be spoken about in as many forms that’ll get the message across to people who may not know exactly what’s going on. I’ve always spoken about the daily struggles we go through, and the result of some of the poor decisions made by those who run the world, because I live a normal life whereby those things impact me and people like me, so how could I not speak on it?

Abby: There are so many incredible resources out there for you now that I could have only dreamed of when I first started creating music. Utilise everything you can.I used Canva to learn how to make artwork and electronic press kits, everything was made using my Google Pixel phone, nothing hi tech or out of reach.If you don’t want to use things like AI for videos, grab yourself a camera and watch YouTube videos on how to shoot and edit, that or find yourself a great videographer/director. Where there’s a will, there’s a way, and it doesn’t always have to cost an arm and a leg 😂 you just need some passion and dedication.When you reach out to DJ’s, bloggers etc, don’t send them all an email as a BCC, no, send them an email as an individual that you address by their name. If you want people to spend time on your email, you need to spend time sending it to them too. Be polite, thank them for their time, and make sure you include as much detail and downloadable content as necessary. Electronic Press Kits are a great way to address it all in an interactive and concise way. Don’t address them as if they already know who you are, because chances are they don’t, so make sure you do your best to make a great first impression. It’ll go a long way.

Abby: Right now I’m just enjoying the whirlwind that is life! I don’t want to force content because that’s when it becomes a job again so I want the next time I release, if I ever do, to be natural and something that feels right. Between 2020 – 2022 I went so release heavy it was amazing, but it also burned me out creatively and I felt I was covering the same ground so yeah I just want to see how this current path unfolds.

Abby: As of right now, I’d just be super happy to write something I’m super excited about and get it recorded and released and for it to get a great reception. That’s the goal for me right now, if I can get that goal achieved then we’ll see what the next one is but for now, let’s do one goal at a time. I’m not putting a timescale on when I should achieve this by either as that’s unnecessary pressure that a natural release shouldn’t have!Dream collaborations…If we’re talking actual in my dreams, it would probably be Raye with her orchestra. She’s incredible and seeing her live is an absolute privilege and an experience I’ll always recommend. What a talent!

Abby: I hope they always remember that one song I have that made them first want to hear more. The feeling that they had when something I said or how I sung something really resonated with them and made them think “damn”. To have given that feeling to someone even once is a blessing, and a privilege, and I’ll never take it for granted.Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you again after such a long time and for showcasing me on your website once more. I really appreciate it.If you’ve read this interview all the way to this point, thank you so much for your time!