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“I wanted my first album to reflect my personality; to be a
representation of what I bring as an artist and also to show
what I’m capable of doing in the future.” So says 25 year-old
Abi Moore, Lincolnshire singer/ songwriter and musician, talking
about her debut album “The Aftermath of ’96.”
If the album does represent her personality; then Abi is multi- faceted, intelligent, capable, mature, intuitive, observant, independent and extremely brave. And if the album does reflect what she can bring to the industry, it’s what the industry is yearning for; honesty, integrity, maturity, passion, courage, hard work and incredible talent. And what is she capable of? Writing, recording, mixing, editing, producing and playing most of the instruments on an entire self- funded album. “I consider myself a singer,” she states, “I only taught myself the instruments because initially when I went out to play my songs, I had no band.” Listening to the album, you may beg to differ. Her name is credited alongside the words “vocals, backing vocals, piano, guitar, mandolina, percussion and violin.” A self- confessed perfectionist and control- freak, she admits “I wanted a finished product that was all my responsibility; that I could be proud of, couldn’t make excuses for, and had no-one else to blame if it didn’t deliver.” Realistically, Abi should have gone to university to become an academic. She was offered unconditional places and a scholarship to study in the USA (all of which she declined), and besides the grades on her CV, her interests were achievements in themselves; ranging from being a multi- linguist and globetrotter to a dedicated life-saver and lifeguard, published poet, writer, classical composer, grade 8 violinist, martial arts enthusiast, through to a music workshop leader. Born to a non- musical family, half Hungarian, half Northerner, Abi’s ancestry had been farm workers and coal miners and although her nurse mother and teacher father were the right generation to change the pattern, Abi had even more radical ideas. “I just wanted to be a singer. I knew it as a child, as a teenager and as an adult, and although I had incredible focus, I had absolutely no idea how to turn it from a hobby into a serious career.” So she became a member of every musical vehicle possible, and after years of singing in classical, jazz and gospel choirs and musicals, playing violin in symphony orchestras and string quartets, dancing and acting in plays with various dramatics societies, she got an agent and began her professional career at 17 years old, singing covers in the notorious pub and club world. Although the cabaret experience took her to venues including the London Palladium and Huddersfield Galpharm Stadium, entertaining audiences of up to 15,000 people, and made her fearless and extremely confident, the pretentiousness of the showbiz world eventually drove her to seek a creative outlet elsewhere. She started performing her own material during 2002, after numerous personal tragedies, voiced here on “The Aftermath of ’96,” and became certain that although it went against all her experience, this was where her future lay. Not much escapes the wrath of her pen and paper on this album; family dysfunction, questioned morals, relationship failures, bereavement, blame and deceit. Heartrending lyrics wrapped up neatly inside nostalgic melodies deliver a package that leaves her audiences in awe; songs such as When the Devil Calls, Holding On, Dear David, Mama Please and I Don’t Wanna Fly becoming a testament to her maturity, thirst for the truth, and honesty to the point of brutality. But it also encapsulates a freshness and positivity that propelled her in times of emotional drought; Remember Me, Beautiful Boy, Let It Go, Circles, and the ethereal, orchestral The Prophecy, a track for which she also recorded a video this year. Many have fallen in love with her blend of heart, soul and personal experience and this album will only help to add the growing list of Abi Moore aficionados. Abi has been embraced by the folk and acoustic world and is a much sought- after support artist for touring acts. In the early days of her performing, she supported Midge Ure, Mark Flanagan (of the Jools Holland Big Band) and Keith James and 2004 saw her playing at the BBC 6 Music's Summer Sundae Weekender alongside the Super Furry Animals, Amy Winehouse, Nick Harper and James Morrisson. More recently, she has opened for Jim Moray, the Coal Porters, Edwina Hayes, LAU and Jonatha Brooke and was invited to support 10CC this summer at their Milton Keynes shows. Abi's frequent appearances on BBC radio and T.V, constant touring and the much anticipated forthcoming release of her second album in March 2009 hint that her success is set to continue. Her music is difficult to define, due to its pop/Americana/folk/rock/jazz crossover, but the album reveals an obvious inclination towards acoustic adult- orientated music. Reminiscent in places of Sheryl Crow, Joni Mitchell, David Gilmour, Nick Drake, Tom McRae, Bonnie Raitt, KT Tunstall and Eva Cassidy, the album illustrates her adaptability, range, and talent to write in such differing styles. “I try not to re-create trends because they won’t last. Simple, effective, well-structured songs that can be moulded to all genres stand the test of time. I hope I fit into that category because I want to do this for the rest of my life.” So is it possible that Abi Moore is a name expected to hold itself among the timeless...but perhaps not the über- cool; Annie Lennox, Carole King, Kate Bush, Sting, Elton John? “I wouldn’t want to jinx things by using those names! Of course that would be incredible, but I’m most comfortable being Abi Moore, and at the moment it’s working well for me.” Well, you know what they say…if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it…
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