Abe Anderson has always aspired to be a professional musician and songwriter, a journey that even took him to television where he was featured on The Voice back in 2012, which Abe says was a truly surreal experience.
“It was unreal. The most rewarding thing about it was being with like-minded musicians from different genres, and learning from them. It was like this melting pot of creativity, it’s kind of infectious, you get swept up in the entire process,” he says.
Since then, he has done many live shows around Geelong and the Surf Coast region, playing regularly at Barwon Heads Restaurant, Mount Duneed State Winery, Edge, CQ and most recently at The Inn.
Despite a strong passion for music, Abe had a late start to his music career, coining it to his schooling days.
“Going to an all-boy’s school, it wasn’t the most glamorous thing being a singer, and a lot of the time people who liked music were ridiculed for what they were doing so I kind of waited until a little bit later on. I just needed to find the right time, but I’m glad it came along, for sure,” he says, “I went to university to study history and journalism, and I enjoyed both of those pursuits. I could definitely see myself working in either of those capacities, and I had the opportunity to, but I had the realisation that I can actually do what I love and be comfortable doing it. Life is too short to not give it a go and see what happens.”
This May will see Abe supporting the acclaimed Melbourne folk duo the Pierce Brothers in Lorne for their free concert, assisting Abe in moving forward with his musical career. “I am an awesome fan of the Pierce Brothers, I think they’re great, and I jumped at the opportunity. It was a no-brainer really.”
Between listening to Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Rumours’ on the way to gigs, and having 50-year-old guys doing headstand and break-dancing at his performances, Abe has been toying with new sounds, recently covering Amy Shark’s ‘Adore’, putting his own individual spin on a track from a musician he respects.
“I was hoping to go and see her in Melbourne recently, but my gigs got in the way. I just like the honesty of the song. She’s real, and she seems really cool. I like songs that are lyrically and that have a bit of depth, and that song is definitely representative of that. It’s one of those songs that grows on you, and you learn to appreciate it.”
Listen to Abe’s version of ‘Adore’ here.
When & Where: Supporting the Pierce Brothers @ The Lorne Hotel, Lorne – May 20
Written by Lucy Rollason
