Interviews: ABBY K

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the  Rock band ABBY K from the USA. Check out the interview and follow the band on their  FACEBOOK PAGE. 

1.Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?

Abby K: I don’t really know where it came from. My dad and I were chatting in the car one day on the way to my first band’s rehearsal and he said “So what’s your stage name?”. I didn’t even know what that was at the time so he proceeded to explain it and throw around some very silly ideas. I told him that I wanted to go by “Abby K” because it ties into my name. Before that, I had never gone by Abby before, it was always Abigail.

2.Why did you want to play this genre?

Abby: When I was 5 years old, I asked my dad to put some Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber on my iPod and instead, he gave me Iron Maiden and KISS. I don’t think I even realized and I just ended up falling in love with Hard Rock and Heavy Metal.

Crispy Borell: Ever since I was a child, I’ve always had a love for rock and metal because it was most of what my parents would play for me around the house.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Abby: I met Diego a few years back through Instagram and we did a few video collabs together, but he didn’t join the band until spring of this year! I also met Crispy on Instagram around a year and a half ago and he pretty much joined the band immediately. Because of meeting on Instagram, we lived in NC, CA and NJ so getting together for rehearsal is very difficult!

Diego Vargas: We were all friends before we became band mates. We all met each other through Instagram and over Quarantine we started talking. First I was asked if I wanted to play on a song, then a music video, and then a few more songs. To be honest I don't even remember being asked to join, we got along so well it just kind of flowed into what we were already doing naturally.

4. Each band member's favourite band? 

Abby: I have different favorite bands for different times in my life. My very first favorite band was KISS and that was my first rock concert. It quickly shifted to Iron Maiden and now, getting into more modern music, it is DEFINITELY Halestorm!

Diego: I’d say it’d have to be Dream Theater.

Crispy: Today it’s probably Lost Society from Finland, but if you asked me the same question tomorrow, I’d probably have a different answer.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Abby: Lately, I have been trying to write about things that I haven’t experienced. I’m only 18 years old so I haven’t really experienced much. I find that by writing about things and putting myself in another person’s perspective, I’m getting a much broader range of emotions throughout my music.

6. Where was your last gig?

Diego: My last gig was a corporate gig last August for a boat company's annual gala. By the time they finished with all the awards and speeches, just about everyone left before we even started! So we ended up playing a two hour set for about 10 people

Abby: My last band gig was in Charlotte NC March 12, 2020. However, I have been playing tons of solo and duo acoustic gigs since then. My first band show in a long time (with the new line up!!!) is coming up just next week at 158 on Main July 3rd in Mooresville NC!

7. Where would you like to act?

Abby: I’ve always dreamed of playing a show in Japan. I’ve been getting a lot of new followers from Japan lately and from what I’ve heard, they have the BEST rock shows on the planet!

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Crispy: I’d absolutely love to perform with Zakk Wylde. However since I also love recording, I would love to work with Bob Rock on an album.

Abby: If I could put a dream band together for one show, I would be on bass, Lzzy Hale on vocals, Nita Strauss on guitar, and Troy Luccketta on drums.

9. Whom not?

Abby: I don’t really enjoy playing with musicians that show up to rehearsal with the intention of learning songs there. You have to do your homework and learn your parts before you show up!

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?

Crispy: Absolutely. I think you just gotta go out there, play, and realize that you will make mistakes, but most of the people in the crowd won’t notice, or care. If you think you sound good, the audience will too.

Abby: I used to be so incredibly shy when I started playing. I still struggle to this day, but I’ve really improved. I have actually noticed that after not being on a big stage for over a year, I am already starting to get nervous for our upcoming shows and tour! The more you practice before hand, the less likely you are to mess up! You have to develop muscle memory so your actual playing is the last thing you have to worry about on stage.

Diego: I never NOT get stage fright, but I’ve gotten better at controlling it over the years. I’ve realized that when you get on stage just about anything can go wrong, which is an almost liberating thought. So I’ve learned to practice “Fear-Setting”, which is to figure out what I am afraid of going wrong and prepare for it as best as I can. So when things inevitably go wrong I can control the situation with a level head.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Abby: Diamante has been inspiring me lately, especially with her new album, American Dream.

Crispy: I’m super inspired by bands like Mötley Crüe and Skid Row, and a bunch of those rock bands from the 1980s.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Abby: Unfortunately, as a young female in the music industry, I have way too many weird, sometimes disgusting, stories to fit into one answer. I receive tons of inappropriate requests but to me, the funniest is always the people that ask me for feet pics haha!

Crispy: I got asked to sign a pair of tighty-whities once.

13. What do you think of your fans?

Abby: If someone is willing to take time out of their day to like or share a post, buy merch, stream a song, or fill a seat at a show, they’re not a fan, they’re family. I don’t really think that I have so called “fans.” Anyone that supports me, I would support them back. That’s what I call a family.

14. What do you think of our site? 

Abby: I love the site! I really appreciate you for supporting musicians, especially during this time. Thank you so much for helping us get the word out about the future of rock n roll!

15. Something you'd like to add?

You can find us on all social media @abbykrocks and abbykrocks.com