Lebanese-born, London-based singer-songwriter Nadine Abs has been steadily defining a sound of her own through heartfelt, piano-driven pop ballads.
With a voice shaped by influences such as Amy Winehouse, Madonna, and Adele, Nadine Abs combines vulnerability with resilience, writing songs that transform love, memory, and loss into timeless melodies. Her debut single Who Do I Love, a moving tribute to her late father, set the tone for a series of emotionally charged releases, including Warrior and Your Majesty. In this exclusive Q&A, Nadine opens up about her journey so far, her musical inspirations, and the personal stories and connections that continue to guide her sound.
You started singing at just eight years old, recording songs from The Little Mermaid. Looking back, what do you think that first experience taught you about expressing emotion through music?
1Looking back, I would use music as an escape. You see, it was still early days for me in America, and my father, God bless his soul, was in Lebanon. I missed my country and my father very much, and I used to sing to express my emotions. I remember watching “The Little Mermaid” many times, and my favorite part of the film was the ending. That was when Ariel, the main character, re-unites with her father for the last time, before he returns to the sea. That scene sparked a lot of emotion in me, so I decided to sing to Ariel’s songs.
Moving from Lebanon to London was a big step. How did immersing yourself in London’s live music scene, covering Amy Winehouse and Madonna, shape the kind of artist and songwriter you are today?
Yes, moving from Lebanon to London was a big step! After all, I was taught and mentored by my school principal, may he rest in peace. He taught his students to vividly follow their dreams, and that no dream is impossible to fulfil. Bless him! When I did travel to London, I decided to sing popular songs that resonate with my musical taste at the time.I would perform both upbeat and slow-paced songs. I always felt, and, was told, that I had an emotional voice. It was after a long journey of covering hits at intimate venues, that I decided to sing pop ballads. In fact, I was just about to become a contemporary jazz singer, when I changed my mind! I feel it is very important for any artist to sing different genres before selecting his or her most suitable musical style. Last but not least, Amy Winehouse, Madonna, Adele, and Charlotte Church are just a few of my inspirations in music.
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Your debut single Who Do I Love is a deeply personal tribute to your father. How do you approach writing songs about grief and memory, and how do you balance vulnerability with artistry?
Oh, thank you for asking me this question! You see, I no longer feel the grief I felt at the time of my father’s death. At this present time, I feel joy, because I know he is in Heaven. I pray I will see him in the afterlife, so that brings me hope. Singing about my father elevates my mood, as I feel very close to him spiritually. As for other loved ones like my great-grandfather, I feel the same level of happiness when I write and sing songs about them. I hope listeners can feel the message I am trying to convey. After all, we all have people we love with all our heart! Last but not least, the loss of my loved ones has shaped me into the artist I want to become, honest, emotional, and creative.
Both Warrior and Your Majesty continue your piano-driven ballad style. What role does the piano play in your songwriting process – do lyrics come first, or does the music guide the story?
Actually, I write lyrics, but not melodies! You see, I cannot play any instruments, so rely on lyrics and vocals. I write my songs in the form of poetry and try to choose easy, melodic words and rhymes. I work with a songwriter, from Brazil, who writes my melodies. His name is Johnny Zanchetta and he is an amazing songwriter, a genius! After the the song is written, both lyrically and musically, is is produced. I work with a pianist and producer at Audiohaus, who never fails to deliver.
Many of your songs center on love, loss, and resilience. When you sit down to write, how do you decide which personal experiences to turn into songs?
It was very simple for me to choose about whom to sing about. Loved ones like my father and great-grandfather, God bless their souls, inspire me to write songs about them. Memories from childhood, both happy and sad, flow into my lyrics smoothly. After all, I tell stories in the form of ballads! It is quite ironic, as, in the past, while I would sing covers, I had this vision of doing dance-pop music. While I would had sung about former love flames, I decided to sing pop ballads about those who are dear to my heart. Why would I sing about hate when I can sing about love?
You’ve performed everywhere from intimate London venues like The Fiddler’s Elbow to outdoor festivals. Has performing live influenced the way you write songs, knowing how they’ll connect with an audience?
Well, yes, I would notice audiences feel more inclined to my performances when I would sing songs about love and loss. Music promoters and musicians very much encouraged me to sing original songs. I remember, a few years ago, I would sing a few original ballads, acapella, at a couple of my showcases! That live music venue was PinUps, which has permanently closed down. It was my favorite venue to perform at, and wish it would re-open! I received good feedback for my songs, and that was the beginning of doing original music.
Your music feels cinematic and very visual. When you’re writing, do you imagine the imagery or setting of the song, like you did with the Hyde Park video, or does that come later in the creative process?
Oh, yes! I envisioned an even more cinematic music video for “Who Do I Love”, but that would had cost me far more. I also have a vivid idea of a music video I plan to record in the upcoming months. The song is written, but has not been recorded yet. It’s quite a secret, so please be patient with me!
You’ve released three singles so far, each with a strong emotional core. As you move forward with recording more original songs, what themes or sounds are you most excited to explore next?
Well, my songs will be centered mostly on my father and great-grandfather, not to mention my school principal and Queen Elizabeth. These figures were a vital part of my life, and I will cherish these moments forever. As usual, the songs will be pop ballads, but they will explore more musical instruments. Besides the piano and the keyboard, which my father would play, I love the violin and drums!