With a debut EP release show at Yellow Arch just around the corner, Exposed’s Maisie Jacobs catches up with soulful pop purveyor abs to hear what we can expect from the Sheffield-based artist.
Your self-titled debut EP is out on 29th September. Could you tell us a bit about what this record means to you?
This EP means the world to me. Over Covid, I had a massive knock to my confidence and mental health, so the fact I am releasing anything again is such an achievement for me. I am so proud of myself! Each song represents a different part of myself, and it has been a joy to bring them to life with my partner Zak Michaud (bassist and mastering engineer) and my good friend Ruaridh Summers (artist name) as producer. I cannot wait for other people to hear it, and I hope they love it as much as I do!
What kind of genres or artists would you say influence the abs sound?
I’m a huge fan of hip-hop/R&B, and I would say these are my biggest influences. However, across the EP you can hear some pop, funk and neo-soul in there too! Artists that I absolutely love are Lauryn Hill, Beyoncé, Cleo Soul, Kendrick, Jay Z, Bon Iver, Nao, Ari Lennox, Little Simz, and the whole Dreamville gang.
To celebrate this EP, you are putting on your biggest production yet at Yellow Arch Studios. What can we expect from this show?
I want this show to be my best one yet, so I’ve pulled out all of the stops. You can expect backing dancers, a full light show, outfit changes, my incredible live band and the most insanely good support acts ever, Isaac Malibu and Safii Koii – both Leeds legends.
It is very important to support local artists, especially in such a difficult climate for musicians. Could you tell us a bit more about the support acts?
Yes! My support acts are incredible and I am so glad people introduced me to them. Isaac Malibu is a Yorkshire-based artist performing R&B music, with soul, pop, funk and lo-fi influences, agile vocals and a signature falsetto. Honest, soulful and chaotic is what you get from Safii Koii. She has an ever-shifting sense of style when it comes to the music she produces.
Does the venue chosen hold any particular significance to you?
Yellow Arch is my favourite venue in Sheffield. I’m from Bristol, and I have really fond memories of going to Yellow Arch for Dubshack nights when nowhere else in Sheffield really did things like that when I was at university. It reminded me a little bit of home.
How has your journey as a musician been so far?
I have found it such an amazing experience so far. Since November, when I officially started, I have done so many amazing gigs, and been recognised in great ways – such as being shortlisted to play at Tramlines! It is very hard to break out in the music industry, especially in a place like Sheffield with a large indie scene, but I am doing what I can and have a really good feeling that great things are happening for abs!
What does music and the process of making music mean to you?
Music for me is an outlet. Like I mentioned before, I really struggle with my mental health, and it is my way to not only express myself but also just let go and have fun! When I am on stage, everything disappears and I become this confident incredible artist. This is why I want to train to be a music therapist – because I know it’s a superpower.
Have you got anything else planned for the future?
Me and my band are going on a UK tour in February, which I am so excited for! Details for that will be coming soon. I am also hoping to play at more festivals next year and start working on the next EP! I want to also move to London to train as a music therapist and expand my horizons in the industry so I can be a self-sustaining artist one day!
Abs plays Yellow Arch on 5 October. The debut EP is out now and available on all streaming platforms.
