PRESS KIT
Abby Skye is a singer, composer and producer based in Wide Bay, Queensland. ‘Born singing’, Abby trained in Classical Voice at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School before setting off to become a full-time musician. Disillusioned by the ‘greater’ industry at the time, Abby went ‘indie’, and later built 2 recording studios, produced and released several albums and singles, while clocking up thousands of performances along mainly the East-coast of Australia.
With a focus on new music and more work with her incredible band, Christian O’Donnell (guitar), Craig Kickbush (bass) and Rohan Hems (drums), 2024 is set to bring a world of new additions to Abby’s online catalogue and live performance formats.
Abby Skye is a singer, composer and producer based in Wide Bay, Queensland. ‘Born singing’, she was pulled from class at 5 years old and asked to sing for a PTA Christmas function and in the Senior Choir. From that moment on, music became her passion and her escape. Abby went on to study classical singing, flute and music theory, a regular member, then conductor of the school choir & band, performing with the Australian Girls Choir for 5 years before attending the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School to finish Year 12. Self-taught on guitar, she wrote her first song at 14 and has since clocked up thousands of performances along the East Coast of Australia, supporting the likes of Rick Price, Daryl Braithwaite, Renee Geyer, James Reyne, Mental as Anything as well as performing at such esteemed occasions as the Sydney Lord Mayor NYE Ball, Victorian College of the Arts Alumni Concert and for the President of Hungary.
She trained in Classical Voice at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School before setting off to become a full-time musician. Disillusioned by the ‘greater’ industry at the time, Abby became an ‘indie’ musician, later building 2 recording studios, producing and releasing numerous albums and singles, and clocking up thousands of performances along mainly the East-coast of Australia.
Abby opened her first recording studio in Geelong in 2003 and produced 2 EPs ‘Addicted’ (2003) & ‘The Further I Run’ (2007), before relocating to Queensland, where she ran successful heavy rock band ‘Mission X’ for many years, produced a 6-week concert series ‘True Expression’, recorded ‘Inertia’ (EP) & performed with Adelaide-based melodic metal band ‘Black Orchid’, hired St John’s Cathedral for a concert on Remembrance Day 11/11/11 with Legacy Brisbane and the Brisbane City Choir, and more.
Seeking a change in lifestyle in 2013, Abby bought a farm in Wide Bay and formed ‘The Abby Skye Band’ with her friends Craig Kickbush (bass/keys/vocals), Rohan Hems (drums/vocals) and Christian O’Donnell (guitar/vocals), which has since formed into a stunning combination of next-level talents.
In 2021, Abby released her highly anticipated album ‘Build A Castle With Me’, along with another LP ‘Learning To Fly: Early Recordings’, which showcases her favourite catalogue songs and celebrates 20 years of writing and recording.
Abby’s voice is uniquely expressive, powerful and versatile, often compared with the like of Melissa Etheridge, Toni Childs and Suze Demarchi. She is known for giving 100% to every performance and for her commitment to human and animal rights.
With a new album in the works, a focus on online content and more work with her band, 2024 is set to bring a world of new additions to Abby’s diverse catalogue.
Christian O’Donnell:
Born with a guitar in hand, Christian O’Donnell obtained both his Associate Diploma in Jazz Studies and his Licentiate in Classical Guitar (from the prestigious Trinity College of London) by the age of 17. In his 20+ years career as a professional musician, Christian has written, recorded and performed with Portishead, Alex Taylor, Adele, members of Massive Attack as well as the role of Musical Director for Toni Childs.
“Christian O’Donnell is one of the best guitar players I’ve ever had the honour to play with – if not in fact the best!!” - Toni Childs
Craig Kickbush:
The backbone of Abby’s project and one of the most sought after bass players, Craig Kickbush studied composition and bass at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, performed in Bangkok, Bali and Nepal, and played with rock band Ecliptic, The CrXssover Big Band (featuring the music of Frank Zappa and Bjork), The Bangkok New Trio (jazz), The Pickletones (funk), Lecia Louise (blues/pop), Thirstlands (rock) and Toni Childs.
Rohan Hems:
Performing since he was 7 and learning multiple instruments early in life set Rohan up for his long career of recording music and playing live. Since performing with Phil Emmanuel and Hussy Hicks, at Byron Bay Bluesfest and then missionary work in Turkey & Egypt, Rohan has played drums in Abby’s band for several years, with her regularly saying that “because of his multi-instrumental abilities, he plays percussion like it’s a melody”.
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THE BAND
Abby on Social
I’ve been discovering some incredible new music (well, new to me) lately and I feel like I should be sharing it! I’m gonna kick it off with a brilliant band called ‘Lawrence’, an 8-piece from New York that features siblings Clyde & Gracie Lawrence, who have some truly exquisite talents. Both their voices are phenomenal, the band is killer and their songs are funky af. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMs-l9Hru-I This is their hit single ‘Don’t Lose Sight’, which is the perfect place to start, but I definitely recommend checking out their other songs, especially their collaboration on ‘Wherever I Go’ with Jacob Collier, who I’ll bang on a bit about soon, ‘cause he deserves an opus of his own. This has got to be the most amazing accolade I’ve ever heard of a 5-year old composer, check this out (from their Wikipedia page): "When Marc Lawrence (Clyde & Gracie’s Dad) was working on the 2000 film Miss Congeniality and was not pleased with his options for the Miss United States pageant theme song, he turned to Clyde to see what he thought was wrong. At only age five, Clyde wrote his own version, and the film's other producers chose it without knowing its writer. The Miss United States pageant anthem that Clyde composed is prominently featured in the film, and his composition led him to become the youngest member of the Songwriters Guild of America" 😲🎼✨
I’m so delighted to be part of this awesome initiative! 🤗🎶 The 2nd Next Level High School Talent Comp uncovered some more talented younger musicians in the Bundaberg area 🤩 It was such a great night and so uplifting for us to all see the future of our local music scene! Congratulations to our Winner Brooklyn Sauer and Runners-Up Rezen Heart - you guys all showe serious commitment and talent! Also to everyone who performed – I know I keep saying it, but it was such a difficult choice for us judges, you were honestly all brilliant! 👏🏆 So difficult, in fact, that Bulldogs Director Andrew Gifford told us that he wanted you all to perform on Game Day! 🤩 So, after some quick approvals and shuffling of plans, we made it happen! We’re so excited to see you ALL play at Game Day now! 🏉👩🎤 📸 By DJC Photography 🫶 @nrl_bulldogs @mmmbundy @elerrina_the_great #bundabergregion #nextlevelmusic #nextlevelbundy #nextleveltalentcomp #nrlbulldogs #triplembundy #bouttimemusic #wavessportsclub #abbyskye #abbyskyemusic #empiricalmusic #dtjphotography
![Enormous thanks to El and Jacob from Triple M Bundy for inviting us as their guests aboard the inaugural Lady Musgrave Sunset River Cruise last Sunday! 🛳🥂🌞
Thanks to the Lady Musgrave Experience for gorgeous afternoon and to Sam Maddison for the beautiful tunes 🎶🫶
#Burnettrivercruise #ladymusgraveexperience #Bundaberg #bundabergregion #bundabergevents](http://abbyskye.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-social-ninja/instagram/abbyskye/18034547723095293_low.jpg)
Enormous thanks to El and Jacob from Triple M Bundy for inviting us as their guests aboard the inaugural Lady Musgrave Sunset River Cruise last Sunday! 🛳🥂🌞
Thanks to the Lady Musgrave Experience for gorgeous afternoon and to Sam Maddison for the beautiful tunes 🎶🫶
#Burnettrivercruise #ladymusgraveexperience #Bundaberg #bundabergregion #bundabergevents
![Join us for the second "Under The Trees On Tour" event! Featuring Allensworth (USA) and Abby Skye, we're bringing the festival vibes to the stunning Tannum Sands Millennium Esplanade for an unforgettable evening of live music and community spirit.
Date: 10 August 2024
Time: 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Location: BAM Stage, Tannum Sands Millennium Esplanade
Ticket Prices:
• Adults (18+): $40
• Youth (5-18): $15
• Kids (Under 5): Free
This event is a fundraiser to support the Under The Trees Music and Arts Festival 2025. By attending, you’re contributing to the continuation of this fantastic festival that brings music and art to our community.
https://events.humanitix.com/under-the-trees-on-tour-fundraiser-thursday-10-8-2024-bam-stage-millennium-esplanade-tannum-sands-featuring-allensworth-and-abby-skye?hxchl=hex-pfl&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2VX7xncOD8DMOW6puRE9EFnsBZM747rijZAb7oxk2dAze6P1ul6hsK-0c_aem_FmlA_eg7tLgUkB_ixs2lTw
#underthetrees #underthetreesontour #allensworth #abbyskye #musicfestival #Queensland #Queenslandevents](http://abbyskye.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-social-ninja/instagram/abbyskye/18041866954738588_low.jpg)
Join us for the second "Under The Trees On Tour" event! Featuring Allensworth (USA) and Abby Skye, we're bringing the festival vibes to the stunning Tannum Sands Millennium Esplanade for an unforgettable evening of live music and community spirit.
Date: 10 August 2024
Time: 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Location: BAM Stage, Tannum Sands Millennium Esplanade
Ticket Prices:
• Adults (18+): $40
• Youth (5-18): $15
• Kids (Under 5): Free
This event is a fundraiser to support the Under The Trees Music and Arts Festival 2025. By attending, you’re contributing to the continuation of this fantastic festival that brings music and art to our community.
https://events.humanitix.com/under-the-trees-on-tour-fundraiser-thursday-10-8-2024-bam-stage-millennium-esplanade-tannum-sands-featuring-allensworth-and-abby-skye?hxchl=hex-pfl&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2VX7xncOD8DMOW6puRE9EFnsBZM747rijZAb7oxk2dAze6P1ul6hsK-0c_aem_FmlA_eg7tLgUkB_ixs2lTw
#underthetrees #underthetreesontour #allensworth #abbyskye #musicfestival #Queensland #Queenslandevents
![I’m so delighted to be part of this awesome initiative!🤗🎶 Last week, the 2nd Next Level High School Talent Comp uncovered some more talented younger musicians in the Bundaberg area 🤩 It was such a great night and so uplifting for us to all see the future of our local music scene!
Congratulations to our Winner Brooklyn Sauer and Runners-Up Rezen Heart - you guys all showe serious commitment and talent! Also to everyone who performed – I know I keep saying it, but it was such a difficult choice for us judges, you were honestly all brilliant! 👏🏆 So difficult, in fact, that Bulldogs Director Andrew Gifford told us that he wanted you all to perform on Game Day! 🤩 So, after some quick approvals and shuffling of plans, we made it happen!
We’re so excited to see you ALL play at Game Day now! 🏉👩🎤
📸 By DJC Photography 🫶
@nrl_bulldogs @mmmbundy @elerrina_the_great
#bundabergregion #nextlevelmusic #nextlevelbundy #nextleveltalentcomp #nrlbulldogs #triplembundy #bouttimemusic #wavessportsclub #abbyskye #abbyskyemusic #empiricalmusic #dtjphotography](http://abbyskye.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-social-ninja/instagram/abbyskye/18071599051472841_low.jpg)
I’m so delighted to be part of this awesome initiative!🤗🎶 Last week, the 2nd Next Level High School Talent Comp uncovered some more talented younger musicians in the Bundaberg area 🤩 It was such a great night and so uplifting for us to all see the future of our local music scene!
Congratulations to our Winner Brooklyn Sauer and Runners-Up Rezen Heart - you guys all showe serious commitment and talent! Also to everyone who performed – I know I keep saying it, but it was such a difficult choice for us judges, you were honestly all brilliant! 👏🏆 So difficult, in fact, that Bulldogs Director Andrew Gifford told us that he wanted you all to perform on Game Day! 🤩 So, after some quick approvals and shuffling of plans, we made it happen!
We’re so excited to see you ALL play at Game Day now! 🏉👩🎤
📸 By DJC Photography 🫶
@nrl_bulldogs @mmmbundy @elerrina_the_great
#bundabergregion #nextlevelmusic #nextlevelbundy #nextleveltalentcomp #nrlbulldogs #triplembundy #bouttimemusic #wavessportsclub #abbyskye #abbyskyemusic #empiricalmusic #dtjphotography
PRESS CONTACT
Wayne (Batman) 0427 669 609 / management@abbyskye.com