StreamLINE Artist Feature/Interview : Abi Mia
StreamLINE Music Blog Interview Series - Abi Mia
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Hey StreamLINE World, hope you enjoyed your weekends…and the holiday if you’re in the U.S. We had the pleasure of catching up with emerging UK pop artist Abi Mia for a compelling interview. Enjoy!
- Hi Abi, It’s awesome to have you on the StreamLINE. We’ve featured some of your music already but look forward to our audience getting a closer look into your artistry and career. Thank you for your time. We appreciate it!
- Please tell us a bit about your background, where you’re from etc.
I am originally from Hertfordshire and am now based in London. Alongside my newer music career I run my own fitness business helping people become their healthiest selves.
- What were your early music influences?
My earlier influences are actually still some of my current influences including Kelly Clarkson, Demi Lovato and Christina Aguilera.
At a non celebrity level I was also influenced by one of my music teachers, Barry, who initially got me into songwriting! His music was very inspiring to me and he always wrote very meaningful songs and this definitely influenced my writing approach.
- What would you say was the defining moment or point in your life when you decided to pursue music professionally?
The pandemic as I am sure it was for so many people was the defining moment that made me realize that I needed to pursue music professionally. The pause with my work that the first lockdown created enabled me to really take stock of the direction of my life, put things into perspective and to realize what my real passions were now!
My fitness business had pretty much taken over my time so music was very much a background hobby for a long time and while I still enjoy fitness it didn’t ignite the same spark that music did in me.
For many reasons I had never pursued music as a career but this pause made me realize I was the only obstacle in the way of trying to make it happen! I had so many excuses over the years, blaming others as well for not trying so I decided it was now or never and haven’t looked back since!
Music allows me to be myself, to express myself and to realize my path in life and I am so happy and relieved I finally made this choice to pursue music professionally.
- How would you describe your sound? How has it evolved over the years?
I would describe my sound as pop with elements of soul, rock and musical theatre bringing relatable messages and emotions to life through the music. I don’t love to put my music into a box as each track usually has different influences and therefore a different vibe.
As I only started releasing music last October there hasn’t really been an evolution over the years yet but I look forward to developing my sound and to keep exploring new ones that I can integrate into my music! I want to keep my sound authentically ‘Abi Mia’ and recognizable as mine!
- Please tell us what your creative process is like. Is your creativity triggered by events or things you experience or is it just more of a natural vibe that you get?
My creative process is quite fluid and unstructured. I write songs in many different ways. I will usually have a topic in mind but other than that the lyrics could come first, the chords or the melody! I try and just let the inspiration take me where it wants to.
I am definitely influenced a lot by my surroundings, experiences, things going on in the world, other artists and so many other things! I find it easier to write about things I can relate to, but I do like to challenge myself to write in different ways, perhaps to a beat or about something I wouldn’t usually write about to keep myself growing as a songwriter and artist.
- You’ve had a prolific 2021 already releasing six singles this year and one on the way in mid-September. Can you tell us about the upcoming single and story behind it?
Thank you, yes I have really worked hard to release music consistently over this past year! I wrote ‘Shadow’ to tackle themes of empowerment and self-love and the importance of putting yourself first and setting boundaries.
Whilst it is important to help others, but you also need to take care of yourself. You’re no use to anyone burnt out! I wrote this song as a reminder for us to take time to rediscover who we are as individuals, and not just who we are to other people.
Looking after yourself isn’t selfish; it’s self-care and I am sure this is something we can all relate to. Of course there are certain times in life where we are needed to help others more and have more responsibilities but as I have seem happen so often this causes people to forget who they are.
They become ‘Shadows’ of their former selves and of course it is hard to rediscover who you are, but it is so important to do so.
- How did your most recent single “Good Intentions” come about?
As with a lot of my music I draw from personal experiences and I certainly did this time! I had a moment where a certain friend had stood me up yet again and I realized that I didn’t need to put up with it anymore! I could take the power into my hands and walk away! I didn’t need to keep making an effort when clearly it wasn’t a two way commitment!
I wrote this right after I realized this, and it took me less than an hour to write! I do find some songs practically write themselves especially when I channel my own emotions and experiences and I really enjoyed sharing this one!
Good Intentions
Listen to Good Intentions on Spotify. Abi Mia · Song · 2021.
- A single you released earlier this year is titled “Make Myself Tall”. We find that to be a compelling title. What’s the meaning behind the song?
I am glad you find the title ‘Make Myself Tall’ compelling, it is definitely a very powerful track! The song is about how you should always stand up for yourself, make yourself tall and have confidence in your abilities despite what anyone else might say. You shouldn’t let anyone put you down just because you may be doing things differently to how they would, if it works for you then that is great ‘There’s no one way to get things right’!
Often when people try to tear you down it is to make themselves feel better and this song is a defiant response to someone fighting back as the chorus says ‘Don’t you dare put me down, just because you think that you should wear the crown…’ It is an empowering song again I did write this in response to an experience I had but I am sure many people can relate to this.
- You’re very engaging with your fanbase on social media. We’ve seen you share posts that contain ideas and demos of songs that you welcome their feedback on. Was this something that made you nervous at first or do the reactions play a factor in your creative process?
I do love interacting with my fan base on social media, I have met so many amazing people so far! Especially as I started during the pandemic this was the only way I could connect with people through my music. I am always excited to share a new idea or demo with my fanbase.
For me social media is about showing all parts of my music journey not just the polished product at the end. The process of creating the music is what I do most of the time so it would be a shame not to share it and it is cool for people to see the progress.
I want to be as authentic and down to earth as I can online, not put on a polished front because that is just not who I am! This is why I have managed to connect with so many fantastic and actively interested people because I am just being a person!
I also find feedback on these posts really useful to gauge how much a song connects with people and it may help me to decide what to release next! I also believe that for people to really connect with my music they need to know more about me as a person and I feel by sharing these less polished posts that helps a lot.
- As a newer artist, please tell us about your experiences performing live. Is there a particular show or venue which stands out as your favorite? What do you enjoy most about performing live?
I have enjoyed them all so far, each venue has a different vibe and charm to it so I couldn’t really pick yet! I enjoy the fact that I can feed off the audience’s energy and I can see their responses to my music!
There is nothing quite like performing a song that someone is really responding to and getting in to! I also appreciate the fact that live performances aren’t expected to be perfect like with recordings for singles! There is more room to have fun and play with the music more.
- What hobbies and interests do you have outside of music?
I really enjoy lifting weights and generally being active. I enjoy seeing friends and spending time with my family and to be honest music takes up a lot of my time (as any musician will know!) anyway so I don’t have much time for other new interests.
I do enjoy traveling as well and I can’t wait to be able to do this again soon – my last trip was at the beginning of 2019 to Australia and it was incredible!
- What’s next musically for you? We’re aware about the new single coming up. Any other projects in the works, live shows?
I am currently working on my next single after ‘Shadow’ and already have the next 2 after that lined up for production as well! I am definitely focusing on booking in more live shows now that things are opening up and really want to build a local fan base that way before touring further out.
I would love to do a UK Tour in the near future but I want to make sure I have a strong fan base before embarking on that! As always I will continuing sharing all parts of my music journey on social media and there will certainly be lots more to come and I am so excited to keep pursuing what I love!
Follow Abi Mia
- Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/abimiamusic
- Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/abi__mia/
- Twitter : https://twitter.com/AbiMia5
Listen to the Abi Mia Music Catalog
Abi Mia
London based singer-songwriter Abi Mia brings her uplifting, empowering pop sound to modern music. With soulful vocals and a gift for emotional storytelling Abi Mia brings her most authentic self to her music. Since releasing her debut single, Abi Mia has had multiple releases and garnered glowing reviews and international radio coverage.
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