Abigail Ory describes her sound as "weird pop" and we can definitely see why, there's layers to her songs and the meaning behind her music is so deep. She combines poetic lyrics with her effortless voice and we can't get enough. We talked to the up-and-coming artist about her new song "Waves" and what's been inspiring her lately.
How did you get started in music?
Abigail: I’ve been interested in music practically since I was born. My mom was a choreographer and continues to be an amateur folk musician, and the rest of my family is interested in music as well. According to my mom, I had close to 20 nursery rhymes completely memorized by the time I was 18 months old. Whenever we’d visit my mom’s side of the family, we’d always sing together. So I pretty much just grew up with music.
Tell me about “Waves” what’s the story behind the song?
Abigail: I started “Waves” in the beginning of my sophomore year of high school for a dance production that was based on the book “The Invention of Morel” by Adolfo Bioy Casares. That said, it really digs into broader topics such as the process of accepting change (and sometimes loss) in our relationships.
I kept revisiting the song over the years adding to it bit by bit, but I revamped it altogether with singer/songwriter Donna Lewis the first time I met her about a year and a half ago. Donna and I presented our overhauled “Waves” demo to producer David Baron, who then agreed to record it with me. It was my first song with him, and my first full session in a professional studio. It was a crazy experience, and one I’m so glad I got to have with a song that had stuck around in my life for so long. Fourteen-year-old me was proud to say the least!
What has been one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in the music industry?
Abigail: Honestly, entering the music industry! But especially entering the music industry right as COVID-19 blew up on the east coast… The video for my song “Doomsday,” which I wrote in 2016, was released as my college friends and I were scrambling to pack up our bags to get off campus. While the plan had been to perform live and meet people, I had to figure out how to launch a whole EP from home. I had a very small, masked, socially-distanced house concert in my backyard and worked a lot on my online branding. I had to figure out how to safely film two music videos in the midst of this pandemic, complete with masks and gloves. It was difficult but we did it, and it was certainly an experience like no other.
What else has been inspiring you lately?
Abigail: Taking walks in nature has been really inspiring to me lately. I’m lucky to live in a place where I have access to trails, so I’ve definitely been taking advantage of those. I’ve also been reading essays on the spirit of creativity as well– “In Search of Duende” by Federico García Lorca and “Of Power and Time” by Mary Oliver have been two of my recent favorites. The boundary between fantasy and reality is always a big interest of mine, so the movie Pan’s Labyrinth directed by Guillermo del Toro has been on my mind since I first saw it in January. I’ve also quite honestly spent a lot of time on Instagram following various artist’s work– jeweler Isabella Lalonde of @beepybella has been a favorite of mine the past few months.
What keeps you motivated?
Abigail: Fear of time passing. …Just kidding! I tend to do a lot of collaborating, so not wanting to let down my co-collaborators is a big piece of it. I’m constantly dreaming up projects and hoping to see them completed. Setting deadlines for myself helps, as I’m not naturally so organized. But I always have multiple projects going at the same time. Maybe I’m addicted to the sense of completion, who knows.
What’s your best piece of advice for your younger self?
Abigail: Don’t worry quite so much about when you’ll write your first EP– you’ll have ideas for that project when you’re ready. Not all of us have to be Lorde. Also, take that music theory class. It will be the opposite of creatively limiting, and will make so many things so much easier.
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