Abby Anderson Talks Emotional Journey to New Album ‘Sugar Spice’ – Interview

Abby Anderson has plenty to celebrate. Hot off the release of her new single “Juicy”, the country-pop star is ready to share her debut album Sugar Spice. A sound that is self-described as Nashville-Pop, Abby’s new music is sure to please fans as both relatable and worthy of being on repeat. The album is reflective of a journey that showcases Abby’s strength and resolve and brings her closer to her listeners.

We recently had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Abby Anderson about her new album Sugar Spice, what fans can expect from her new music, her emotional and spiritual journey, her upcoming tour, and who she is geeking out to collaborate with soon.

Read on for our exclusive interview with Abby Anderson below:

Firstly, congratulations on the release of your debut album “Sugar Spice”! How does it feel to finally have it be out there?

It feels awesome. It feels really peaceful. I’ve been waiting for this for a long time.

Let’s go back a little bit and talk about what initially inspired you to pursue music as a career.

I started piano lessons when I was like 5 and writing music shortly after. So I was writing jingles and stuff by the time I was 7 years old. It wasn’t ever anything I ever decided to do one day, it was just always there and in my family. Growing up in such a big family I definitely found love for performing because that was an easy way to get attention. I definitely took to it from a young age.

Who are some of your musical influences when it comes time to create music?

I would say from when I was really little, I got really into Norah Jones, Linda Ronstadt, and Ray Charles. Country music was always a part of it too. Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, of course, it’s pretty broad. It’s all over the place. I think that’s apparent in my original music too.

You can draw that inspiration to create your own sound.

I hope so!

Is there anyone that you would love to work with someday?

I think working with Silk Sonic would be so fun. Anderson Paak and what Bruno Mars are doing is so fun. Why not shoot for that? I really love what’s going on in country music. I’m obsessed with this Miranda Lambert album “Palomino”.

Personally, just from a fan standpoint, I would love to see a collab with you and David Archuleta. I’d love to see those fanbases merge together.

Oh my gosh! That’s actually a great idea! David’s a good friend. He’s awesome. That’s actually a great idea. I’m gonna look into that and give you full credit if that happens.

David, are you listening?

Heck yeah.

 

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What does your own playlist look like right now? Who are you geeking out over?

I’m obsessed with Morgan Wade, who put out this album and it is incredible from top to bottom. I have that on repeat. Miranda Lambert’s album is on repeat. Maddie Zahm, she blew up on TikTok. She’s incredible. I can never pronounce their name right. Khruangbin? I know I’m butchering it. Someone out there is gonna correct me. They did that song with Leon Bridges “Texas Sun” and I love all of their stuff.

How would you describe your sound to someone thinking of listening for the first time?

It’s so hard to answer that. A lot of people are like “You’re country, oh you’re R&B Pop.” I would say I would like to think it’s just good music. [laughs] If I had to staple a genre on it, I’d probably call it Nashville Pop. It’s got a lot of country songwriting, It feels very country production-wise. It’s still real instruments but definitely more on the pop side.

I was listening to the new music earlier expecting country but O was really feeling the Pop sound. I was listening to “Juicy” and after I pondered if I myself was Juicy…

Hell yeah, you are!

Thank you. This is a great mix of sound and it keeps it interesting and definitely something to dance and sing along to.

I’ve always had such a wide taste in music personally. That was the easiest part of putting the songs together. That was the only thing we asked ourselves: “Does this sound like me? Does this feel like me?” And if it did it made the album.

Your story is certainly reflective of the fact that you are such a strong person. And your journey has been an emotional and spiritual one. Can you talk a little about how you were able to draw your inspiration from what you’ve been through and how you were able to apply it to your music?

I’m trying to condense the last 5 years into two short sentences. I think the last 5 years have been so important for me. In making this record and just for my life in general, I think I needed to finally learn that I don’t have to shrink myself in any way or to be loved or be seen by others. I know that sounds counterintuitive. Why would you shrink yourself in any way or be quiet to be seen or liked by someone?

But a lot of that had to do with questioning the faith that I was brought up in and deciding that that no longer served me. Leaving my record deal and that it was time to move on and grow. That’s been the biggest lesson, is realizing I can do anything that is in my heart. The only person keeping me back from being free is me. The only person keeping myself in crappy situations is me.

I feel attacked. I feel seen.

[laughs] I felt attacked in therapy!

Can you talk a little about why it’s important for you to share your music and be a role model for your listeners?

Some people have said the word “role model”, I feel weird saying that. I do hope for… for example, a while ago I started talking about my eating disorder recovery and that’s what a lot of my songs are about. We all think we’re alone and we all think we have this super unique thing we’re going through, which may be true, but then you share your story and you realize a lot of people are going through what you’re going through. We’re shamed into silence.

When I started that specific story, I got a flood of messages from people going through the same thing and thanking me for sharing it so they don’t feel alone. That’s been the coolest thing. That’s what I love the most about this music this time around. It really feels like I’ve gotten to share my story this time around.

Live music performances are one of the things we miss most about life before the pandemic. Do you have any plans to tour to promote your new album?

Yeah! We actually just booked my first headlining show in Nashville so I’m really excited. That’s August 30th. We go out to Australia in September for the first time for a few shows out there. Hopefully, it’s shaping up to look like a good Fall.

Is there anywhere that you would love to tour and explore?

Australia in general is gonna be really fun. I know we’re gonna be close to the beach and get to explore that for a few days.

Meet a koala.

I’d love to meet a koala.

That experience of connecting with the fans must be so fulfilling for you. And this is something you’ve been able to do even during the pandemic because of the power of social media. What do you enjoy most about connecting with your fans in that way and what inspired you to create that kind of content?

The fans are everything. I like to think I would make music if nobody heard it or listened to it but if i’m being honest with myself, making music and having people hear it, that’s the best part. It’s so much fun to put out something you love into the world and connect with someone else over it. That gets the juices going.

It fuels everything. Anytime I can cater to my fans as far as social media goes, what music they’re into, what are they liking from my album, what do they want to see from me on social media, it feels like we’re building this little community and family together.

What’s next for you? What else are you working on?

We’re gonna be putting out more music probably this Fall. I shouldn’t say too much. There could be some fun collaborations coming. This album is just the beginning of everything that’s coming.

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Thank you so much to Abby Anderson for taking the time to speak with us!

Be sure to keep up to date with Abby Anderson by following her on social media on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

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