Abad is a Colombian singer and songwriter 28 years old, he was born in Popayan (Cauca), which began to sing and write songs in English and Spanish at age 13.
His studies of vocal technique allowed him to develop a mix of traditional songs with elements of Soul Blues and contemporary Jazz, is through singing competitions in Cali where he begins to be recognized given their singing skills. In his musical career highlights several Pop singles, R&B and electronic music. His work has been important in positioning Blues and Jazz bands in town, like Blue Turtles, where he wrote and recorded titles like “I’m your man”, “Mochilero”, “Cante un blues usted” and “Ain’t gonna cry.”
Bogota, Medellin, Cartagena, Buga, Popayan and Cali are cities that have been able to hear this singer, who has been present with her voice and her songs in major concert halls in the aforementioned cities.
Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?
Abad: I found Exposed Vocals by using my twitter count , Exposed Vocals has such an interesting logo a monkey, I’m just kidding, but in my case I’m an indie artist and I have been trying to discover how to share my music by using different ways so… I thought Exposed Vocals could be a good option to do that.
…and what made me sign is that I love being a musician, I will never know whether I’m going to be or not a famous songwriter but I’m not afraid to try because there is passion, devotion and honesty inside me.
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Abad: I grow up in a small city called Popayán in Colombia, South America, I came from a humble family, my mom is a single mother but she gave me the chance to sing and take my own choices since I was a child, she loved the art and all those things, and at the end of the day I found my own identity because my mother taught me that feeling. I learned that music is a life style or life as such, and look at me here I am.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
Abad: ok, My real name is Raphael Abad, but I felt a special connection with Abad, that’s my father’s name and I found out that The Abad is the Master’s name in an ABADIA then I’m such an spiritual guy, I think Soul music, Blues, Jazz and R&B music has a lot of spiritual sensations. In addition I have been singing black music with love and needed passion. Abad really works to me.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Abad: when you are not with a Company Record, you have to apply this phrase ” Do it yourself” internet is a whole world of possibilities and disclosure your music is free and a good choice, no budget, no manager, no booking agency, but there is deezer or spotify even soundcloud, but the proof of your talent is the live show, give away your music, and get money from your gigs is the perfect balance.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
Abad: well, my advice is being yourself with your music. Talent is important, get better your talent is a challenge, but when you get better as an artist or performer the people can see and feel it. Honesty, discipline can make us the road easier.
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Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Abad: oh yes I do, I’m a Human being, I make mistakes like everybody else, sometimes I don’t have time to vocal warming, sometimes I forgot the lyrics, but I try keep the calm, that’s why now I write a script, in that way I’ll give them the best of me to my audience
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
Aabad: on tour everything is about having a plan, you need to be ready for any change, sometimes the sound check is a mess, there is not time to eat well, you have a schedule really precise, but not everything is really bad if you have the skills to fix it all, with a perfect team.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
Abad: my inspiration comes from everywhere, I write my own songs since i was 13 years old, in the beginning try to get a good song it was hard but with every minute, day, week and year my life was full of reasons to express myself, the only thing that i need is a guitar or a piano.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
Abad: oh yes i have my own web site www.abadmusic.tk, I release my music using streaming platforms like:
soundcloud, reverbnation, deezer, itunes and spotify
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
Abad: it’s a question so hard to answer because I always had a good taste to choose my favorites artist, I love the classics, Etta James, Stevie Wonder, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong. I must confess my guilty pleasure is pop music sometimes I listen to Mariah Carey jajaja but she has a great voice, don’t you think?
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
Abad: Hmmm I love travelling, visiting other places, countries but I think my heart is full of duties and nowadays trying to help other people the money and my life make sense.
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
Abad: as I told you music is my life but right now I run my own company, it’s about marketing for artist, photos, video, web sites, social media, vocal coaching. I have been working around 1 year with my new project
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Abad: I think making good music is the first step, social media help us a lot, most of people are looking for the live shows, if you as an artist can connect them, and you treat them well, this long road to walk is gonna be exciting
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
Abad: I think Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Etta James and my list never ends because I felt in love with their music since I was 13 years old, I’m a black man but I grew up with my mom´s family and they are white people. I never knew many things about my father but I knew that he was a black man… and I was trying to find my own identity when all this music came to me and I said myself, that’s what I want.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Abad: Now I have a brand new single, it’s called “Loving you in vain” I wrote the same song in Spanish “Amándote en Vano” it’s available on Itunes, and I’m gonna be on tour here in my country Colombia a long the year, but I’m making plans to travel to Argentina, Ecuador, Mexico and USA. We’ll see jajaja
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Abad: Probablemente sería un abogado o un actor, una parte de mí siempre va a estar buscando algunas cosas artísticas que hacer, pintura y eso es todo.
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
Abad: The first CD I bought was “The Velvet Rope” by Janet Jackson, according to The Rolling Stone Magazine, is one the 500 best albums of all times, great choice I made.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
Abad: I have learned really well what means discipline, I don’t like to let things out of place, and I’m pretty clear with everyone, and having a life full of vitality, goals, is I like the most.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?
Abad: I recommend you to keep in touch with me on social media and visiting my website.
