1. ABBI HARRIS
SHE‟S BACK FOR ROUND TWO AND THERE‟S NO HOLDING BACK. HER VENOM-FUELLED SOUND IS AS FIERCE AS EVER IN HER
SECOND ALBUM “VIOLENT DREAMS”. ABBI TELLS NOTION ABOUT SLEEPLESS NIGHTS, INFLUENCES AND MAKING ALBUMS.
Originating from Birmingham, Abbi began recording experimental music while attending Sixth From, which is when she became involved in the underground
electronic and industrial music scene.
AH: “My attendance was so bad, almost half. I was so close to getting kicked out. I nearly pack ed in the music with the fear that if I didn‟t have A-levels, I‟d
have no future. Then 3 months before final exams, I was out with friends and it hit me that there‟s nothing else I want to do other than make music.
Abbi‟s debut album “Visions” was recorded in her bedroom with a keyboard, computer, computer interface and microphone. “Visions” absorbed the
ambience of the room: dark, danceable, reflective and unsettling.
AH: “At the time I made the record, I think I went crazy. Sometimes I‟d go 5 or 6 days without sleep. The insomnia brought in lots of new thoughts. I wrote
„Transparency‟ on day 6 of no-sleep and you can really hear that I‟m out of my mind of that track”
What can you tell us about the next album?
AH: “Violent Dreams” has an unsettling theme, similar to that of the first album. But in this one I want people to hear it and wanna move. If I can‟t make
music that makes people dance, I‟ve failed. My inspirations for this album have been Crystal Castles, Mariah Carey, 90s Dance, The Runaways and Patti
Smith. I‟d love to support Crystal Castles… or Patti Smith.
Wait... Mariah Carey?
AH: (Laughs) “Yes! Her vocals are out of this world. I went on a road trip with my friend and we couldn‟t decide on a CD, so I randomly pi cked Mariah‟s
greatest hits. Since then she‟s inspired me greatly I love using a wide range of vocals, vocals are the most important instrument. On a synth pad you make
them into any sound. I use my voice a lot in making the track before I‟ve even laid vocals over it”
What’s your favourite track on the album?
AH: “I think my favourite is probably „Not In Love‟. I love it because it sounds like a memory, like it‟s blurry but you still think about it all the time. It‟s an
exciting track because although its meaning is dramatic and dark, it makes you want to move, you‟re absorbed into the sound.
You’re renowned for your energetic live gigs, when you tour this album what should we be expecting?
AH: “I want this tour to be more exciting than the last. Don‟t get me wrong, the last tour was amazing but I want this one t o be crazy. Expect more lights,
more dance and I have some outstanding support acts up my sleeve.”
Not even going to give us a clue?
AH: (Smirks) “You‟ll have to wait and see. I don‟t want to give too much away because I want the tour to blow people away. If I take away t he element of
surprise it‟ll ruin it”
„VIOLENT DREAMS‟ IS AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE AND DOWNLOAD FROM FEBRUARY 4TH.