Abbey welcome to OLC! Your journey started with competitive dance at age six— how did that experience of captivating audiences on stage first spark your love for performance, and what made you embark toward songwriting and music?
From the moment I could walk, I started moving around the house and dancing. I was actually quite shy talking when I was younger but not with dancing. When I started competitive dance at six years old, my personality started to come alive. Competitive dance taught me early what it meant to communicate without words, how energy, emotion, and movement could fill a room and move people. I love that feeling of connection and making an audience feel something they didn’t expect. I always loved writing and singing ever since I was small so over the last couple of years I decided I’d like to try writing songs and putting some music out there. Dance gives me the confidence to express myself, and songwriting gives me a voice. I started writing lyrics almost as a private outlet, and eventually I discovered that music let me express the same emotion I love on stage. That’s what really pulled me toward making music: the chance to create something that resonates long after the performance is over.
At just 17, your single 17 feels like a bold snapshot of youth and self-discovery. What personal stories or emotions inspired the lyrics, and how does it reflect where you are in life right now?
17” came from this feeling of being right in the middle of growing up, old enough to understand the world a bit, but still young enough to not have everything figured out. A lot of the lyrics were inspired by late night conversations with friends, the pressure of trying to make the “right” choices, and the excitement of first love and crushes. Writing it felt like documenting a version of myself that’s constantly changing, and releasing it was like saying, “This is who I am today, even if tomorrow I evolve again.” The song is a reflection of where I am now, growing, curious, ambitious, a little unsure at times but trying to trust my instincts and deal with the pressure to pick a path, to have a plan, to make decisions that feel permanent when I’m still learning how to drive, how to love, how to just exist.
You’ve built an impressive foundation in performing from a young age. What’s one lesson from dance that still shapes how you approach creating and sharing your music today?
Dance taught me discipline before anything else. You can’t shortcut hours in the studio, make excuses or give up and the same is true in music. You need to always show up, put in the work, and refine and work on things over and over until they feel right. It also taught me how to express emotion physically, which I think helps me sing more authentically. When I’m making music, I’m always thinking about how it will make others feel and how to tell a story not just through sound but through movement and energy.
As a Burlington, Ontario native breaking into the pop scene, how has your hometown influenced your sound or the themes in your songs? Are there local spots or experiences that fuel your creativity?
Burlington has this quiet, comforting small town energy that I love. I’ve loved growing up here and being so close to the water and Toronto and Niagara Falls. There’s something about being from a smaller place and even if you dream big, you never really lose that grounded feeling. There’s also a place where my parents grew up called Haviland Bay that I love visiting and have spent a lot of time there with family. Its given me some of my happiest memories so far and is the perfect place to be when I need to relax or be inspired.
Your Instagram (@abbeyanderson.music) showcases glimpses of you and your music creativity-what’s your go-to creative ritual when you’re songwriting, and how do you balance that with being a teenager?
Honestly, my creative ritual is pretty simple, it usually starts with me finding a quiet area, mostly my room and just letting myself feel whatever is going on in my head. I might head to the piano or strum on my guitar to get a feel for notes and melody. I write down ideas or thoughts in my Notes app, or in a notebook even if it’s messy or makes zero sense at first. Balancing that with being a teenager is extremely busy but fun. I dance mostly 5 days a week, I still have a lot of homework to do, I enjoy hanging out with friends when I can. I think my every day life all becomes fuel for the songs I write. Songwriting is a great escape for me.
Transitioning from the physicality of dance to the vulnerability of melody must have been a big shift. How do elements of movement or rhythm from your dance background sneak into your pop production style?
Dance taught me rhythm before I ever understood rhythm. When I’m writing, I’m always thinking about how a song moves and feels not just how it sounds. Sometimes I’ll catch myself choreographing in my head while I’m listening to a beat. There’s also this sense of storytelling in dance, you’re expressing something without words and that’s carried into my melodies. A lot of my vocal runs or rhythm choices come from thinking about how the emotion would look if it were movement. It gives my music this blend of raw emotion and softness that definitely comes from my dance roots.
With 17 out, what’s been the most surprising fan reaction so far, and how has putting your music out into the world changed your view of yourself as an artist?
The most surprising reaction has been how many people of all ages really enjoyed this song. Some around the age of 17 and going through those same feelings or others who remember being 17 and what that felt like. I wrote the song thinking it was super personal and specific to my experience, so hearing that it’s resonating with people has been really emotional and humbling for me.
Putting out music has made me realize I’m braver than I thought. I used to worry about whether people would understand me or judge me, but now I’m seeing that the more honest I am, the more people will connect. It’s made me realize as long as I’m loving what I do, don’t let anyone discourage or take that away.
You’re carving your own lane in a crowded pop landscape-who are some artists (past or present) that inspire you, and what unique twist do you want to bring to the genre?
I’m inspired by artists who blend vulnerability with catchy melodies and lyrics that make you feel something. Artists like Gracie Abrams, Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Noah Kahan, are just a few of the many.
The twist I want to bring is this mix of emotional storytelling that’s real and raw where so many people at some point in their life went through that or felt that way. I want my music to feel intimate and personal, like I’m telling your story.
Looking ahead, what’s next for Abbey Anderson? Any dream collaborations, tour plans, or new tracks you’re teasing that fans should keep an eye (or ear) out for?
There’s definitely more music coming, 17 was my third song I wrote and released. I have three out so far, all in 2025. Dear Ex Lover snd Butterflies are the other two. I’m working on a couple new songs that dive into more emotion and feeling and experiences that are relevant to many people.
Dream-collaboration-wise, if I had to pick one right now it would be to work with Billie Eilish. I feel like she understands emotional pop in a way that’s really inspiring. And performance wise, yes I really want to start performing live more but right now competitive dance is extremely busy with competition season coming soon but I’ll find a way to get my music out there.
- Email: neill@outloudculture.com
- Socials: @frazer.live
- @neill.outloud
