Singer-songwriter A.b. Violet is a solo artist, multi-Instrumentalist with production elements from Elliot Richardson, from Missing Andy. 'Ice' will be the epilogue to 'ELEMENCE'. It's just all about empowerment. It's one of the first songs A.b. Violet wrotes, when she decided to try her hand at music-making. She has known it for so long; it feels so special, emotional and empowering. It features the usual reverb, heavy drum and sub, synths and Gamelan (Indonesian brass/percussion), that she learnt to play at university, which was a particularly empowering time of her life.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Kamil) Hey A.b. Violet, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. What have you been up to over the past year in this big old mess?
A.b.) Hey! Indeed, thank you for taking the time ☺️ I’ve actually been lucky to have had a really stable job throughout all of this, so that’s kept me busy and distracted. Thankfully, my spare time at home has been filled with music. It will be a challenge trying to find the right balance between that 9-5 and my music going forward.
How do you balance your time in the studio with other commitments such as a part-time job, family, admin?
A.b.) As above, really! I have a full time job and family is really important to me, so it can be difficult to find the time. But when it’s there, I grab it and I’m writing or working on a track. Studio time is usually an annual leave day here and there, to be honest. That’s why this first ELEMENCE project has been released one single at a time. It’s truly what I love though, so I wouldn’t be spending my spare time any other way.
Your latest track is 'Ice'. Can you share with us the background of its creation and did any unusual things happen during its creation?
A.b.) Ice was actually one of the first songs I wrote… it has actually been on the back burner for nearly two years… and has changed so much over time. Starting with chords and lyrics as most tracks do, I just kept going back to it and playing around, adding different elements. Like the Indonesian gamelan. I played gamelan at university, but hadn’t found a place for it on any of my earlier tracks. It just seemed to tie everything together this time. I’ve played ICE at so many different stages to different people, it was just finally time to get it down and released. It's really about self-empowerment, and I think/hope I captured the emotional journey of a break-up essentially, but with someone that's kind of already check-out. That feeling of loss, but ultimately strength and knowing you are better off.
When you are working through problems in your work, who do you talk to?
A.b.) Good question! My friends and family are great- they will lend me their ear and offer advice. Musical problems I can usually deal with, otherwise, some technical problems are ironed out in the studio. Or, it’s a YouTube tutorial! That’s probably one of the most difficult things about being a solo artist…
How useful has social media been for you?
A.b.) I’m not sure to be honest. I have a particularly small following and I don’t really know how to make the best use out of social media yet… even so, I’ve made one or two really good connections. Plus, I’m starting to notice a real sense of community, which is nice.
What is one message you would give to your fans?
A.b.) I think, if it’s not clear in the music, the key message I want to express is that ‘we are all human, there's nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to speaking up about our struggles’. I want to normalise that.
What inspires you as an artist?
A.b.) Of course, other music. But mainly the unique emotions and experiences that music can affect. Making music is a cathartic process for me, it’s my creative outlet, but the idea that it could be meaningful to even just one over person is what inspires me to release music.
When faced with making a big decision, how do you decide what is the right thing to do?
A.b.) To be honest, any decision I ever make is based on whether it feels right. Integrity is important to me. I'll never make a decision that conflicts with my values and I'll always consider any potential impact my decision may have on others. That's probably a lot to do with my anxiety! I can overthink and I can make mistakes, but at the end of the day, all my actions and decisions are based on trying to be a good and considerate person.
How do you stay connected and up to date with the art world?
A.b.) It's hard at the moment, with COVID around. Ideally, I would be out networking and gigging... in absence of that, this is where social media is useful. Particularly, I think radio show teams and other artists are great connections- for collaboration, sharing ideas and seeing what's going on in the art world, as we are all in the same sphere, from different perspectives.
What are your plans for next year? Do you have any productions ready to be released?
A.b.) I am very excited for next year- there's lots of music in the works, almost too much! I've really been able to establish a style and identity with this first ELEMENCE project, so have really been experimenting with that, and have been having a lot of fun writing. Nothing is ready to be released yet, but there are some plans... potentially for an EP in the Spring.