Alt-pop artist Abby Sage is a songwriter who has always been surrounded by music.

At an early age, the Canadian would head to venues to watch her Dad perform and that was one of the factors that sparked her own love for all things related music. The singer-songwriter spent her teen years learning her craft and one key moment that persuaded her to continue down the path was when she accidentally made a song live on SoundCloud which gained interest very quickly. Fast forward several years and Sage has steadily been building a respected career. She’s not only supported the likes of Suki Waterhouse but has also gained support from a slew of tastemakers and released two stellar EPs so far. Her latest musical project is called The Florist and it showcases the songwriter’s gift for penning alt-pop tunes that have real depth, thanks to Abby Sage’s ability to bring characters and stories to life with her interesting lyricism. The LA-based artist who also spends time in London, recently took part in Spotify’s Fresh Finds show and we can’t wait to see what she does next.

1883 Magazine caught up with Abby Sage to discuss The Florist, how her grandmother influenced the project and more.

Your sophomore EP The Florist came out back in October 2022 and received much critical acclaim. What have been your stand-out moments since then?

Individual messages always. Hearing how & where the music has travelled is my favourite part. I love the stories of how a song has brought two people together, gave someone confidence in a moment of difficulty, marked a pivotal point in someone’s life. It’s so special. I love to receive those. 

Your current single High Five talks about alone time and those secret moments that only you know about. What are the moments and why do they take up such an important space in your songwriting?

I rely on those moments of solitude for my writing & my overall well-being. Taking space allows my mind to wander (sometimes to places I don’t want it to but I view that as important as well). Having and celebrating those little secret moments is invaluable. I love reserving mornings & evenings to sit with myself & write. Oftentimes it’s with no agenda, which I think is for the best, ideas come a bit easier. 

You have described each of the 5 tracks on The Florist as character sketches, who are these characters and what do they present?

They are character sketches yes! It was only until after I had time to sit with it I realised how much of myself is in all of it. Backwards Directions & High Five I definitely wrote from my perspective about the relationship I had with myself at the time. The Florist is about friendship & the healthy little ecosystem I saw forming amongst those closest to me. My Nanna is speaking on Irene, I thought it was important to have perspective from an older generation. & lastly Pool Party is a letter to the youth. I wanted the project to span over a lifetime, what we run into at different stages & how we adapt.

Your Nanna played a large part on the concept of the project, and as you just mentioned she even spoke on the interlude of Irene. Why was she such a source of inspiration for these tracks?

She has been my source of inspiration for so much of my life. I think that’s why it felt so crucial to include her. To me, she is resilience, which is a big topic of the project. Bending, moulding, breaking, starting over, moving forward. She is all of it.

You recently opened up for one of our former cover stars Suki Waterhouse at the Velvet Underground in Toronto which I’m sure must have been a blast. But who would you choose to open for on a future stadium tour and why?

It was lovely yes! I grew up mesmerised by Florence Welch & her presence on stage. How she connects and expels emotion. I think opening for her would be the most incredible full-circle experience.

You have spent much of your career between LA, London and Toronto. If you had to write a track in each of the cities how would each of them sound and differ?

That’s difficult. I think in LA it’s all so new to me, a more explorative track may come out of that. In London, I spend a lot of time alone, so I would write something more self-reflective there. As for Toronto, I would say it would be something more reminiscent. I didn’t spend much time there since we moved quite early on but hold strong memories.

With festival season just around the corner, where can we see you play this summer?

Time will tell! 

And finally, with your Dad being in the band back in the day, when will he join you on tour?

He was! Hopefully one day. I picture myself sweeping him out of retirement & forcing him on a bus. 

The Florist is out now, follow Abby via @applesage

Interview Cameron Pool

Photography Jack Alexander