Abz Winter
Hi Abz! Thank you for joining us, give us an introduction into how you got started as a singer-songwriter and what your very first gig was?
I did a school talent show at 11 and mum realized I could sing so encouraged me to develop my craft, I love music so little by little I have developed and worked on my song writing and music career.
My first gig was in a pub with a group of other young singers, the audience were great and so I carried on - I was 11.
Tell us about “It's Not Your Movie”. Was it based on personal experience, or was it a song that just came out as you were writing it?
The Lyrics are based on my own story, I work in the hospitality sector whilst studying and making my music – it’s about how my ex-boss uses the word boss to mean power and influence over others, ‘The title ‘It’s Not Your Movie’ means ‘It’s not all about you!’ “the title Boss doesn’t give you the power to be mean and intimidate others, it merely implies you have responsibility for the organisation and people within it, with a duty of care - nothing more” – I think bosses should “be nice, play fair, not Lord it up ....”. I don’t take myself too seriously and tongue in cheek tell people off through my lyrics.
Were there any particular songs or albums that inspired the sound of this song?
I really like the pop punk music that is around, and just love the vibe of the music. I really like Maisie Peters and what she is doing with her music.
What was your definition of success when you started out, and how does that compare to where you are now?
My definition of success is selling out stadiums so I have a long way to go, nut I just love singing up on a stage for a big audience that wants to listen, gigging in pubs may pay the bills but to a lot of people its just background music, radio - they don’t really want to hear originals… which is a shame but music is led by big radio stations and the majority people just follow what they hear over and over.
I have worked so hard in a relatively short space of time and my focus is on growing my audience and making music the more I do that, the higher my chance of getting heard by the right people and growing.
Do you find that the process of creating each song is different than the last?
Each song I write comes about by chance, mostly based on my experiences so far, so if I get angry at someone or someone upsets me I put that onto my lyrics so my song creation doesn’t really change but he producers a I work with does, this makes them sound different.
Did you always know what kind of music you wanted to make, or was finding your sound a process of trial and error?
I’m finding my own style as I go but my music is pop based, and I make my sound based on my tastes at that moment whilst staying within genre.
How does collaboration fit it to the way you create music? Do you like to create more by yourself or do you value other input?
I song write by myself and get a melody going, but I am more than happy to hear other peoples influences and if it sounds good work with it. Collaborations come about naturally in the studio.
If you had the opportunity to put this song over any moment in a movie or TV show, what kind of moment would that be?
Schitts Creek, when Moria watches all of her belongings taken because her boss robbed her maybe, just love that sitcom if not here somewhere else in the show.
Who are your musical guilty pleasures? Spice Girls? Metallica? 50 Cent? :)
I have so many, love Maisie Peters sound, Olivia O’Briens attitude and lyrics, I Mostly listen whilst in the gym now so anything that motivates me on wins at the moment.
Thanks so much for taking the time to talk to us! What are your social media handles so your fans can find you?
Thanks for asking, social links below!