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When you turn up on Nashville’s doorstep at the age of 12 you’re really only going to ever have one thing on your mind. Now, having already spent 11 years in this 10-year town, Abbey Cone is more than ready to shuffle over into her well-deserved place in the spotlight.
Working with her mainstay writer and producer Nathan Spicer to hone her unique sound, it’s definitely the same kind of party that you’ll find left-field country-pop singers like Maren Morris, Jillian Jacqueline, Cam and Lauren Alaina dancing to, but Abbey Cone is more than capable of holding her own and throwing down with the rest of them. You secretly get the feeling that she might go harder than all of the rest of them put together too.
The 23-year-old has already collaborated with some of Nashville’s most accomplished songwriters, such as Lori McKenna, Shane McAnally, Nicolle Gallyon and Jessie Jo Dillon, and has toured with Brittney Spencer.
Her latest EP, Hate Me, opens up the uber cool, glitchy country pop of last year’s 'Rhinestone Ring' single to take in twee-ified trad-country on ‘King Of The World’, sultry R&B-infused slow jams like ‘In A Room With You’ and out and out stadium-sized country pop bangers like the incredible title track and ‘Thought About You’.
Holler spoke to Abbey Cone about her debut EP, the strangest places singing has taken her so far and what it is she loves so much about country music.
Where are you from and how has that influenced you?
I’m originally from a small town named Argyle, Texas, but moved to Nashville when I was 16 to pursue my songwriting and artist career. Growing up in a small town in Texas was everything one could imagine and is an influence in the stories, sounds and imagery I paint with my music.
What music did you grow up listening to?
I love so many different artists and genres of music. I was shaped by classic country, but was a fan of all the divas from Shania to Mariah. I believe good music is good music regardless of genre. I’ll start the day with a Post Malone playlist and end it with Vince Gill. Mostly, I love great songs.
What is it you love about country music?
Country music makes me feel so many things. I think because country music is rooted in storytelling, in my experience it feels like there’s a country song for everything. From ‘Before He Cheats’ to ‘Here Comes Goodbye’ there’s just so many great songs.
What inspires you?
What inspires my music the most is my life experience, quite literally what I’m going through and feel in life is what I write about.
What are your favourite spots in Nashville?
Crema is my ride or die coffee shop here in town. I went to Taqueria del Sol 3 times last week. It’s fine. I also love Franklin. There’s a lot of great places outside of the city too.
What’s the most unexpected place music has taken you?
On a platform in the middle of Lambeau Field singing the National Anthem. That was so crazy. *Manifesting the Super Bowl National Anthem*
If you could time travel back to any time when would you travel back to?
The 70s just seemed to be a big vibe. I mean, I have a peace sign tattoo.
Which person from history would you most like to meet?
Whitney Houston. That’s the tweet.
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
‘If I Ain’t Got You’ by Alicia Keys
What would you be doing if you weren’t a country singer?
I would live on a farm and have a million animals.
What advice would you give to the younger you?
Be patient and don’t be mean to yourself.
What’s next for you?
The CMT Next Women of Country Tour in the fall with Maddie and Tae and hopefully a few more! Fingers crossed!
Abbey Cone's Hate Me EP is out now on Big Machine
