I laid soft and low over the blissful new 2017 months but I did bump into Kasey Chambers and just so happened to sing harmonies on her song The Caption three times throughout the Sooner Or Later Tour with Bernard Fanning & The Black Fins last month! I gotta admit that being up their alongside my bro Jeb and that whole all-star cast for the show finale singing Midnight Special was some solid fun. Even got a photo to prove it to ma! (Mum, I'm sandwiched amongst the Grizlee Train boys and Jeb is far left)

It's always an honor to blend voices with @kaseychambersmusic and last night was super magical inside the art deco beauty of the Empire Theatre!!! Thank you 🙏🏼❤️🎶🎭 (Thanks for capturing this special moment Mum!) #bernardfanningkaseychamberstour #angelic #thecaptain #blessed #beautifulsouls #familia

57 Likes, 10 Comments - A B B I E C A R D W E L L (@abbiecardwell) on Instagram: "It's always an honor to blend voices with @kaseychambersmusic and last night was super magical..."

I challenge anyone to find an Aussie female artist with a bigger heart and voice than Kasey!

Although I have loved my quiet time I am more than ready to make some noise for you. I have been sitting still enough to write new songs and thoughtful enough to rethink the way I have been making music in the last few years. That old saying 'Less is more' has inspired me to simply play less but make each show extra special. I feel called to bring better shows, better songs and a bigger experience. I don't always know where my inspiration leads me. I just know that it beats a strong and true path every single time I trust it. Just like the time I flew to Mexico without Spanish or friends in search of a band to play music with. I feel a future echo of special house concerts......intimate theatre shows and more I am yet to discover.

So what's in store for 2017 you ask?

1. THE PLEDGEMUSIC CROWDFUND COMPLETION! (At Last) : This process has exceeded all prior timelines and is almost ready for print for you darling pledgers. The Spaghetti-Mex-Western collaboration between Abbie in Australia and Twin Tones in Mexico will finally be unveiled in a pre-release copy just for exclusive pledgers!!!

2. "LESS IS MORE" My 2017 motto has got me turning down some gigs but turning up the stakes on the other ones that are worthy of my heart 'n soul. I may play less but I'll give you more. It's a win-win deal. Deal? X

2. A NEW SOLO ALBUM : It has been 7 years since my last solo album release. (The time is nigh therefore I am whipping my own ass in the writing stakes atm)

3. ADVENTURE (AND OF COURSE LOTS OF TACOS)

So in preparation for recording later in the year I have been writing diligently and daily each morning for the last few months. Peaks, troughs, plateaus and addictive high-five finish-line moments abound. Best trick I have discovered yet is when a plateau hits I just write a list of things under the headline 'Elephants and Skeletons' to dig something up. That chink of dead-end bone against a question like that always leads to an idea worthy of some heavy archeological digging. Ernest Hemingway said it best: "Write hard and clear about what hurts". Don't worry, I will write a happy song somewhere in there too.

I have some killer gigs coming up in April...grab yer diary and lock these dates in...

I may be playing less this year but let's make my trip to your town count. Let's revel in music, good company and creativity. I'll turn myself inside out for you if you'll make the effort to come out and see me!

Deal?

Love Abbie