If you haven’t already immersed yourself in Lessons Learned, the latest EP from Abigail Alexander, stop what you’re doing and go listen to it now. The EP oozes with a charming sense of honesty, and we’ve had it spinning on repeat ever since we first laid ears on it.
So hot off the EP’s release, we caught up with the artist herself to chat all about it, musical influences, what the future holds, and a whole lot more.
“This EP was about me moving forward and letting go”: with an amazing new EP fresh under her belt, we caught up with Abigail Alexander to chat all about it.
HAPPY: Hey, how’s it going? What are you up to at the moment?
ABIGAIL: Hi, I’m great, thank you! I have just finished up shooting a couple of short video clips for my EP release, which will be distributed in the next couple of weeks. I am already back in the studio working on the next set of songs.
HAPPY: We’ve been loving Lessons Learned! How does it feel having the EP out there in the world?
ABIGAIL: It feels great, admittedly I was a tad anxious just before it was released. I would say it was likely due to these being my first songs released, I was just trying to find my footing in the music world. Being a new artist is thrilling and exhaustive, emotionally and physically. So, it’s great that I have been supported and I’m really happy with the reception to the songs so far and I hope it continues. Especially since they all have a different sound and vibe to them, each of the songs seem to reach different demographics of people. I think is great that the songs are appealing to people from all walks of life.
HAPPY: Were there any specific lyrical themes you wanted to explore on this EP?
ABIGAIL: This EP was about me moving forward and letting go of some difficult experience I had in life. I worked through these experiences in the only way I knew how, writing about them. I was able to be vulnerable and open in my songs, which is something I find difficult in daily life. These songs were about giving a piece of myself to people in the hope they would know that; no matter what… It’s going to be okay. “I’ve been in hard situations and I know it’s horrible, but I got through it and you can too.”
HAPPY: There are a lot of really cool old-school sounds floating around your music. Was it your goal to repurpose a specific kind of vintage music for a modern setting?
ABIGAIL: I suppose I wanted to bring that vintage sound forward with me, through my music, as many of the artists that influenced me are unfortunately now gone. I want to keep that sound alive, but I also love some of the sounds from today’s music and I think it happened organically. I don’t doubt that the more songs I do the more I can integrate the past with the present.
HAPPY: All the visuals for your music have a really awesome vintage look too. How important is the visual side of music to you? …do you feel like it helps enhance the listening experience?
ABIGAIL: I do think your look is important; when I hear music from any artist, I like to have a representation of that artist in my mind. Almost like they are with me when I’m listening to their songs, and my look is the image that I would like people to have in their minds when they hear any of my songs. After all, I am as much one of the people, as I am singing to them and I think it’s important I give people that experience.
HAPPY: Were there any particular artists that you feel influenced this EP?
ABIGAIL: Wow. So many artists influenced me! Hahaha… Etta James, Aretha Franklin, Bill Withers, Sam Cook, Amy Winehouse, Adele, Ella Fitzgerald, Ed Sheeran, Florence and the Machine, Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, Pink, Sia, Whitney Houston, Nina Simone… the list goes on.
HAPPY: Are there any other acts you’re really loving right now?
ABIGAIL: It feels like there are so many great acts and artists at the moment that it’s hard to pinpoint just one or two. I would have to say; Bishop Briggs is a favourite at the moment – I ask myself how have I been missing out on her! It’s also great to see some of the unknown or new artists getting real traction with their music locally or globally. Tones and I, are doing fantastic and I think that’s inspirational to see such huge progression, it’s great to see.
HAPPY: What’s next for Abigail Alexander? Any other exciting plans in the works?
ABIGAIL: Yes! I’m back in the studio already. I’m working on a few songs, although these will be released as singles. They should be released early next year, and I hope next year brings many more adventures to come with my music career.
HAPPY: Cheers for the chat!
ABIGAIL: Thank you for having me, it’s been a pleasure!
Lessons Learned is available now. Listen above.
