The C2C Sit Down with Abbie Mac
We sat down with Abbie Mac recently and she discussed her musical journey, starting with her debut single "Dead Inside" and evolving her style. She highlighted her experiences during lockdown, which kick-started her career, and her decision to avoid TV talent shows to build her career organically. Abbie spoke about her busy 2024 summer schedule, including performances at Hyde Park and C2C, and her preference for traditional country music. She emphasised the importance of authenticity on stage and her admiration for artists like Chris Stapleton and Ella Langley.
So I've got to say right off the bat, I've been following your music. I was living overseas for a little while, and when I came back and got back into writing over here, the first advanced song that I ever got sent was ‘Dead Inside’ and I really liked it, like the tone of it, how moody it was, how different. So I've been following you as one of my artists to watch ever since.
Thank you – that’s really good to hear that.
How do you feel your journey has changed from ‘Dead Inside’ to now? You've not released a lot of music yet, but it seems like you've come a long way at the same time.
I feel like it's more like, just you know, realising who I want to be as an artist and what kind of music I want to make. Because at the start I was kind of playing about with everything. I was like, I really don't know if it's more modern, or if it's more country. So I'm still kind of trying to experiment with everything. But I mean, it's just kind of changing more and more each song really.
Which isn’t a bad thing, right - with the singles that you've released so far, and the covers that you’ve put out, they've all been different and shown different sides of you as an artist. I saw you opening for Sophia Scott in December, and your live show is really good. People I spoke to afterwards, they were all saying, like, how good you were.
It was a really good crowd. I think it was more like, me trying to teach them with the song, but that kind of gets them all going at the start. So I was kind of like, maybe I should add this one on every single gig that I do, because it seems to be working.
I was at her show again last night, and I actually ran into a bunch of people who were also there in December, and they were still talking about you, so you definitely made an impression.
That’s a good sign then.
I read that you started releasing music online during lockdown. Is that, right?
Yeah, during lockdown. I was only like, 13, but I couldn't even sing in front of the camera. I hated singing. Didn't like singing in front of nobody. And then I was encouraged to post a video. And I was like, oh God! And ever since then, it's just, you know, it's led me to, like, here where I am now.
It's not bad going. I think when I was 13, I was just playing Grand Theft Auto. So fair play to you for doing it.
Totally.
How do you find that side of it now? TikTok, any social media, it's a big part of it. Are you more comfortable with that now, or is it still a necessary evil?
I'm alright with it now. It was hard, obviously, getting into the swing of posting on social media. It's so weird, but I've got the gist of things. And it's not something I don't like doing now. I actually enjoy it because that's where I meet new people. Every day, there's someone new.
And that’s how you found your managers – they saw that early video and got in touch and that’s led you to here and working on an album.
It was literally through that video.
So it wasn’t a bad bit of encouragement that you had back then.
I know, literally.
So I've got to say right off the bat, I've been following your music. I was living overseas for a little while, and when I came back and got back into writing over here, the first advanced song that I ever got sent was ‘Dead Inside’ and I really liked it, like the tone of it, how moody it was, how different. So I've been following you as one of my artists to watch ever since.
Thank you – that’s really good to hear that.
How do you feel your journey has changed from ‘Dead Inside’ to now? You've not released a lot of music yet, but it seems like you've come a long way at the same time.
I feel like it's more like, just you know, realising who I want to be as an artist and what kind of music I want to make. Because at the start I was kind of playing about with everything. I was like, I really don't know if it's more modern, or if it's more country. So I'm still kind of trying to experiment with everything. But I mean, it's just kind of changing more and more each song really.
Which isn’t a bad thing, right - with the singles that you've released so far, and the covers that you’ve put out, they've all been different and shown different sides of you as an artist. I saw you opening for Sophia Scott in December, and your live show is really good. People I spoke to afterwards, they were all saying, like, how good you were.
It was a really good crowd. I think it was more like, me trying to teach them with the song, but that kind of gets them all going at the start. So I was kind of like, maybe I should add this one on every single gig that I do, because it seems to be working.
I was at her show again last night, and I actually ran into a bunch of people who were also there in December, and they were still talking about you, so you definitely made an impression.
That’s a good sign then.
I read that you started releasing music online during lockdown. Is that, right?
Yeah, during lockdown. I was only like, 13, but I couldn't even sing in front of the camera. I hated singing. Didn't like singing in front of nobody. And then I was encouraged to post a video. And I was like, oh God! And ever since then, it's just, you know, it's led me to, like, here where I am now.
It's not bad going. I think when I was 13, I was just playing Grand Theft Auto. So fair play to you for doing it.
Totally.
How do you find that side of it now? TikTok, any social media, it's a big part of it. Are you more comfortable with that now, or is it still a necessary evil?
I'm alright with it now. It was hard, obviously, getting into the swing of posting on social media. It's so weird, but I've got the gist of things. And it's not something I don't like doing now. I actually enjoy it because that's where I meet new people. Every day, there's someone new.
And that’s how you found your managers – they saw that early video and got in touch and that’s led you to here and working on an album.
It was literally through that video.
So it wasn’t a bad bit of encouragement that you had back then.
I know, literally.
And from that you were approached by a lot of the TV talent shows, but you decided against going that route – I can imagine it must’ve been tempting to go down that fast route and have that level of exposure – but you decided not to and build slowly. What was the thought process behind that?
I got approached by The Voice and Eurovision and that, but at the time, you’d hear that many stories, and I kind of knew already that I didn’t think it was for me. I was like, I’m just not that type of person, I’d rather try it myself and try and grow organically through social media and posting. I think that was a better way for me because going on TV so young, I think would’ve just destroyed me, so I just thought I’d rather just do it me own way.
Yeah absolutely, I agree – I don’t think the trade off for all that exposure is often worth a lot of the negative stuff that comes along with it, especially at that age, like you say.
At the start, I was very tempted. I was like do I want it? Do I not? But I was just like, no – it’s just not for me.
You’ve had a fairly busy six months / year anyway – you played a set at Hyde Park on the country music day of BST, Buckle & Boots Festival, you did C2C last year – how did that feel?
That was the best summer ever, I’m not even joking. I was literally so busy. I’ve never been that busy in me entire life – I was like, how am I gonna do this? But I think it worked out for the best because at the very start of summer, I couldn't have performed in front nobody. I had only experienced something like two gigs, I think it was. And then I jumped straight in, like I was going from Hyde Park, to Wales to play in like a shed, and then going from like C2C to an open mic night. I was like, what is actually going on? But it was such an experience.
What do you think is the biggest thing you've learned from all playing all those shows, and having to deal with all those different size crowds?
I think really, just being yourself on stage. Just having fun. Like, I feel so many people, you know, like so many different artists you see have to get it right on stage and they’re so serious, but I think the more you let loose, the more the crowd let loose. You know, you don't have to be perfect. I feel like even though you make mistakes, the crowd likes to see you make mistakes, because they just want to see that you're human, like you're not anything else, but human, if you know what I mean? Like they actually appreciate you more for that.
Yeah, it's real, isn't it?
Yeah, literally. So I just, you know, if I make a mistake, I make a mistake, it's not the end of the world.
I got approached by The Voice and Eurovision and that, but at the time, you’d hear that many stories, and I kind of knew already that I didn’t think it was for me. I was like, I’m just not that type of person, I’d rather try it myself and try and grow organically through social media and posting. I think that was a better way for me because going on TV so young, I think would’ve just destroyed me, so I just thought I’d rather just do it me own way.
Yeah absolutely, I agree – I don’t think the trade off for all that exposure is often worth a lot of the negative stuff that comes along with it, especially at that age, like you say.
At the start, I was very tempted. I was like do I want it? Do I not? But I was just like, no – it’s just not for me.
You’ve had a fairly busy six months / year anyway – you played a set at Hyde Park on the country music day of BST, Buckle & Boots Festival, you did C2C last year – how did that feel?
That was the best summer ever, I’m not even joking. I was literally so busy. I’ve never been that busy in me entire life – I was like, how am I gonna do this? But I think it worked out for the best because at the very start of summer, I couldn't have performed in front nobody. I had only experienced something like two gigs, I think it was. And then I jumped straight in, like I was going from Hyde Park, to Wales to play in like a shed, and then going from like C2C to an open mic night. I was like, what is actually going on? But it was such an experience.
What do you think is the biggest thing you've learned from all playing all those shows, and having to deal with all those different size crowds?
I think really, just being yourself on stage. Just having fun. Like, I feel so many people, you know, like so many different artists you see have to get it right on stage and they’re so serious, but I think the more you let loose, the more the crowd let loose. You know, you don't have to be perfect. I feel like even though you make mistakes, the crowd likes to see you make mistakes, because they just want to see that you're human, like you're not anything else, but human, if you know what I mean? Like they actually appreciate you more for that.
Yeah, it's real, isn't it?
Yeah, literally. So I just, you know, if I make a mistake, I make a mistake, it's not the end of the world.
So who are some of the artists that you admire and you've looked up to, or you'd like to model your career on?
I like Chris Stapleton and Luke Combs. Megan Maroney - I love her - and Ella Langley. They're two completely different artists, I think, Ella Langley and Megan, but I just love both of them. They're just so different. I love Megan for like, her style, the way she presents herself, and then obviously Ella for her music and her lyrics and everything else.
It seems like traditional county’s coming back a little. Like with Ella, with Zach Top, some of the others, they're bringing back that traditional style that’s maybe fallen by the wayside a little bit, but now the genre is just so much bigger and expanding, and there does seem to be more room for everyone.
And yeah, quite literally.
Have you got an idea in mind for the direction you're gonna go with your first album, or are you gonna release more EPs first?
I think we’re more looking at releasing more EPs until I'm 100% certain of kind of, what kind of road I want to go down and stuff. But I like the old traditional country. I kind of love that, I've always listened to that. So that's where I feel I can be better at, you know, the old traditional country. But I also like the old folky bluegrass stuff as well. So I'm just trying to kind of see what fits best.
And now you're going to be back playing C2C again; now you've got two sets in the festival. You're a returning veteran of C2C now [laughs]. How does it feel? Do you feel more comfortable going into it this second time around? Is it still nerve wracking, or is it like a bit of both?
I'm absolutely delighted. I didn't think I would get to play C2C a second time so soon - I thought it was kind of like once every couple years with them - but to be asked back a second year in a row is great, but, you know, I feel like I kind of know what I'm expecting now, going in there, if you know what I mean? Because last year, I had no clue. I was like, what am I even turning up to? What is this? I was like, Oh, my God! But I think now, because I've had that experience over the summer, playing so many festivals, I know how to deal with certain crowds. So I could show up and there could be, like, 15 people in the crowd, or there could be hundreds, you know, so I kind of know how to work around that.
And it is rare for someone to play, back to back C2C festivals. Usually they have, like you say, a year on, year off kind of thing. So they obviously really liked what they saw and believe in you. And now you've got two shows. Are you going to be able to experience the whole festival, or are you there just for your sets?
I'm definitely going to go into the main stage and see because I'm playing on the Sunday, and obviously Cody Johnson, he's playing, and I love Cody Johnson. I would marry that man. I wanna go and see it all. I want to see all the different artists, you know, and see what's up.
So who else, other than Cody Johnson, are you looking forward to seeing?
Avery Anna - I think she's really good. I just wanna see everybody, you know. I mean, it's just an experience in itself.
100% and it just feels like it's bigger and bigger every year, but this year it's massive, like, you can hardly even fit all those names on the poster, it seems.
I know, literally
So you released your latest single last week. How's the reception been to that so far?
Amazing! It's been really, really good. I think the song's a bit more modern. I mean, it reminds me kind of like, Noah Kahan, that kind of vibe. So I think people are just lovin’ to hear the different kind of styles that I'm bringing out but it’s going down really, really well.
And it is, like you say, very different from all your others; you're also a co-writer on all the original music that you've released. Is that something that's important to you?
I’d definitely say so. Because at the end of the day, I want my music to come from me. I want people to know me for my music and what it's about, so I'd rather just, you know, always be there when the songs written, or, like, have some say because I just don't feel like it would mean as much if it was just written for me?
What are your plans beyond C2C? Are you going to have another summer doing the festivals and more shows like last summer or are you looking to book onto some tours?
I think a mix of all of them really, I’m hoping to have the same kinda summer as last summer because I really loved that, and it was a good experience. I mean, I just loved last year, you know, getting out and playing all different kinds of festivals, just an experience. But hopefully this year, I want to be playing everything.
Is there a festival or a venue that you want to play, that you haven't played yet, that you would love to play this year?
I was thinking, well, it's a bit of a further away one, probably for years down the line, but I've always wanted to play Glastonbury. I'd love to play that, but I think that's probably for years down the line.
It's not a bad goal to have though. Do you have plans to release any more music this year?
There is a couple more songs off the EP that have yet to be released. So I'm looking forward to them, because they're kind of very different in a way. But there is a couple more songs to come, and hopefully after that, I want to get back in and writing music and experimenting with different styles, other than the EP that I've just released.
C2C: Country to Country will return to Berlin in 2026 across the weekend of March 6th to 8th where you will be able to find more details on their WEBSITE and keep in the loop regarding lineups and ticket information on INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK. Then we will see you again in London (or maybe even Belfast/Glasgow) a week later across March 13th to 15th with early bird tickets on sale now where you can find more details on the WEBSITE and socials (FACEBOOK X and INSTAGRAM)
I like Chris Stapleton and Luke Combs. Megan Maroney - I love her - and Ella Langley. They're two completely different artists, I think, Ella Langley and Megan, but I just love both of them. They're just so different. I love Megan for like, her style, the way she presents herself, and then obviously Ella for her music and her lyrics and everything else.
It seems like traditional county’s coming back a little. Like with Ella, with Zach Top, some of the others, they're bringing back that traditional style that’s maybe fallen by the wayside a little bit, but now the genre is just so much bigger and expanding, and there does seem to be more room for everyone.
And yeah, quite literally.
Have you got an idea in mind for the direction you're gonna go with your first album, or are you gonna release more EPs first?
I think we’re more looking at releasing more EPs until I'm 100% certain of kind of, what kind of road I want to go down and stuff. But I like the old traditional country. I kind of love that, I've always listened to that. So that's where I feel I can be better at, you know, the old traditional country. But I also like the old folky bluegrass stuff as well. So I'm just trying to kind of see what fits best.
And now you're going to be back playing C2C again; now you've got two sets in the festival. You're a returning veteran of C2C now [laughs]. How does it feel? Do you feel more comfortable going into it this second time around? Is it still nerve wracking, or is it like a bit of both?
I'm absolutely delighted. I didn't think I would get to play C2C a second time so soon - I thought it was kind of like once every couple years with them - but to be asked back a second year in a row is great, but, you know, I feel like I kind of know what I'm expecting now, going in there, if you know what I mean? Because last year, I had no clue. I was like, what am I even turning up to? What is this? I was like, Oh, my God! But I think now, because I've had that experience over the summer, playing so many festivals, I know how to deal with certain crowds. So I could show up and there could be, like, 15 people in the crowd, or there could be hundreds, you know, so I kind of know how to work around that.
And it is rare for someone to play, back to back C2C festivals. Usually they have, like you say, a year on, year off kind of thing. So they obviously really liked what they saw and believe in you. And now you've got two shows. Are you going to be able to experience the whole festival, or are you there just for your sets?
I'm definitely going to go into the main stage and see because I'm playing on the Sunday, and obviously Cody Johnson, he's playing, and I love Cody Johnson. I would marry that man. I wanna go and see it all. I want to see all the different artists, you know, and see what's up.
So who else, other than Cody Johnson, are you looking forward to seeing?
Avery Anna - I think she's really good. I just wanna see everybody, you know. I mean, it's just an experience in itself.
100% and it just feels like it's bigger and bigger every year, but this year it's massive, like, you can hardly even fit all those names on the poster, it seems.
I know, literally
So you released your latest single last week. How's the reception been to that so far?
Amazing! It's been really, really good. I think the song's a bit more modern. I mean, it reminds me kind of like, Noah Kahan, that kind of vibe. So I think people are just lovin’ to hear the different kind of styles that I'm bringing out but it’s going down really, really well.
And it is, like you say, very different from all your others; you're also a co-writer on all the original music that you've released. Is that something that's important to you?
I’d definitely say so. Because at the end of the day, I want my music to come from me. I want people to know me for my music and what it's about, so I'd rather just, you know, always be there when the songs written, or, like, have some say because I just don't feel like it would mean as much if it was just written for me?
What are your plans beyond C2C? Are you going to have another summer doing the festivals and more shows like last summer or are you looking to book onto some tours?
I think a mix of all of them really, I’m hoping to have the same kinda summer as last summer because I really loved that, and it was a good experience. I mean, I just loved last year, you know, getting out and playing all different kinds of festivals, just an experience. But hopefully this year, I want to be playing everything.
Is there a festival or a venue that you want to play, that you haven't played yet, that you would love to play this year?
I was thinking, well, it's a bit of a further away one, probably for years down the line, but I've always wanted to play Glastonbury. I'd love to play that, but I think that's probably for years down the line.
It's not a bad goal to have though. Do you have plans to release any more music this year?
There is a couple more songs off the EP that have yet to be released. So I'm looking forward to them, because they're kind of very different in a way. But there is a couple more songs to come, and hopefully after that, I want to get back in and writing music and experimenting with different styles, other than the EP that I've just released.
C2C: Country to Country will return to Berlin in 2026 across the weekend of March 6th to 8th where you will be able to find more details on their WEBSITE and keep in the loop regarding lineups and ticket information on INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK. Then we will see you again in London (or maybe even Belfast/Glasgow) a week later across March 13th to 15th with early bird tickets on sale now where you can find more details on the WEBSITE and socials (FACEBOOK X and INSTAGRAM)
