Hi Abi, how the devil are you today and what is the view from where you are sitting?
Hello! I'm great thank you. I'm in the car going to play at End of the Road festival in Dorset, I'm going to be there all weekend, so I'm hoping to squeeze a few impromptu shows in as well as my official one in the Tipi Tent. We're currently in a supermarket car park stocking up for the weekend, so the view isn't worth mentioning unfortunately.
When was the first time that you realised music was going to be your career and what was it that lit the spark for you to make that decision?
I've always loved and played music, I guess I have my older brother to thank. He started the piano but swiftly gave up so when I came along there was already an instrument in the house. Nobody in my immediate family played anything so I would write silly songs on the piano bar the occasional visit from my gran who would teach me duets. I always felt the urge to play music so I guess I had no choice really!
Your bio says “Abi Wade (cello.box.voice): a musical collaboration between limbs, strings and vocal chords”. That sounds quite a feat. Why did you choose those instruments particularly?
I have always written songs, first little pieces on the piano and then songs on the guitar. At Uni I started experimenting with writing songs on the cello and studying music & visual art I went all art school on the it hence, the crazy percussion. Everything else fell into place as and when I felt I needed it told/ could afford it! The bass drum sound to drive it and the tambourine and block to add lifts to the general sound.
Your songs we have heard so far are so quiet and beautifully fragile; do you even get the urge to Rock Out either live or, recorded?
Ha! Well perhaps not rocking but I am working on some larger arrangements at the moment. However the minimalism will always be there I feel, I'm rather partial to the old minimalism!
What is your favourite radio station today and why?
Um I have to say 6 music, although I live in Brighton and Fip is always fun, its a station from France that plays the most eclectic range of music, but generally I listen to specific albums really.
If you could front any band as the singer for one night, what band would it be?
At the moment I'd like to sing with Alt-J but I would not want to front it, he does that rather splendidly himself!
Back to School/College days; what were the cool albums exchanged and are there any particular records from that time, you still listen to regularly today?
Aphex twins, I remember being quite a 'cool' album to listen to but I also listened to Radiohead, ALOT!
If you were not a musician, what would you do and how do you spend your down-time away from music?
Um I love design so that would be my second passion along with art. To wind down I watch films and drink tea, sometimes singularly sometimes at the same time.
You have an extensive tour coming up with Patrick Wolf. Excited? What are you looking forward to the most?
I am really looking forward to all the venues, they just sound incredible I want to make a picture diary I think its going to be spectacular. Also Patrick is an amazing performer so I'm looking forward to that, and just seeing all the cities that is going to be great too.
Where do you hope to be with your music career this time next year and any advice for people just taking their first steps into music?
I hope to be spending all my time writing and playing music and to continue to push myself and my music. I think to the new music maker I'd say do what suits you, listen to others but remember that everyone has their own opinion, so take from it what you will and leave to rest what's not for you.
Tour dates here
