ABELA On the Making Of “What is it Like”
Can you tell us more about “What is it Like?"
With this song, I want to make the listener reflect on their privileges. This song is for those who joke about other people's experiences of unwelcome touching, for those who have never had to plan an entire evening out according to how they will later be able to get home safely. To those who have never had to walk with key in hand, ready to defend themselves from a danger that can appear out of nowhere. To those who can make their problems disappear by opening their wallet or making a few phone calls. And to those who believe they have the right to decide over other people's bodies, and how others should live their lives.
"In a world where abortion rights and the right to love whoever we want is constantly on the agenda again and again, when it feels like development is going backwards instead of forwards, I felt that I had to contribute in my own way. With this song I encourage reflection on privilege, maybe we can find our compassion for other people again?"
Were there any challenges or breakthrough moments during the songwriting process for "What is it Like?"
Writing and recording this song has truly been a roller coaster of emotions. Since it's about a subject very close to my heart I've broken down in tears so many times just thinking about the unfairness that not all people in the world have the same opportunities that I have, and I get my rights for free just by being born in a country that allows more things than in others. My empathy for people fighting for rights that I almost take for granted is very strong and that's why I want to contribute in my way, by writing music.
What impact do you hope this song will have on your audience?
I hope that the song will create a moment of reflection for people who are privileged enough to not have to struggle with the issues I am bringing up in the song, and for us that are still struggling and fighting our way out in the world I hope this can be a song that can give motivation and strength to keep on going, keep on taking the fight.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started in music?
Of course! Like many artists I've been singing more or less my whole life, in school and at the university I had a band and we performed at student parties and that was just a lot of fun! But it wasn't until I moved abroad for the first time, to Italy, and I had to live without music that I realized how much I needed it in my life. So being there I started taking up my own writing more seriously, and when I came back to Finland one year later I started performing my own music as well and from there I've just kept on going. Today I have lived in Stockholm, Sweden since 6 years back.
ABELA is a gritty rock soul who explodes on stage and gets the whole audience vibrating. With a unique mix of pop/rock and a big dose of sass, ABELA delivers a musical experience that the listener will never forget. With songwriting tips directly from great songwriters such as Max Martin, Ludvig Göransson and Lykke Li, ABELA delivers with his raw voice honest lyrics that hit straight into the listener's heart. In the summer of 2019, ABELA released her first single "Bye" and followed up with her debut EP 'Care level 0' the following year. Since then, she has continued to impress with singles and accompanying music videos. She is currently in the final stages of her highly anticipated debut album, which will be released in April 2024.
ABELA has not only caught the attention of music blogs and radio stations (Swedish Radio, Yle X3M (FIN), Yle Vega (FIN), etc.), but has also been named "One to Watch artist" by a British radio station. Her single "Good on My Own" even made it into the "New Music Friday Finland" playlist on Spotify when it was released.
Finnish-Swedish ABELA is a native of Kaskinen, Ostrobothnia, and currently lives in Stockholm, Sweden. With a passion for creating music that touches and an ability to capture the audience from the first sight, ABELA is an artist definitely worth keeping an eye on.
Where do you find inspiration for your songs or musical ideas?
I get my inspiration from my own life, thoughts and opinions, moods and just things I think about, easily said. For me it's a way of expressing myself, opinions, taking a stand and it can also be very therapeutic working through emotional stuff and writing them down into melodies.
