Get to Know: Annabelle Scobie
Annabelle Scobie. Photo credit: @jupiter5.56
Annabelle Scobie is a NSW-based artist fusing the grit of guitar-driven alt-rock with addictive pop hooks. Her sound draws as much from the grungy edge of Tired Lion and Wolf Alice as it does from the chart-defining anthems of Lorde and Rihanna, creating a space where emotional honesty meets earworm melodies.
Her recent album Downfall was born from the feeling of being chewed up and spat out by life, with comfort found in Y2K crime shows, scrapbooking, and messing around with DIY recording techniques. It’s layered and personal, yet offers a sharp lens into how Annabelle sees the world.
We caught up with Annabelle to talk about her creative process, the up-and-coming NSW acts she’s excited about, and the artists that have had the most significant impact on her sound.
For fans of Tired Lion, Wolf Alice and Lorde.
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Your music blends elements of guitar music and pop. Which artists or bands have had the most significant impact on your sound?
I’ve always really liked Tired Lion, like since I was about 15 or so I was really into that grungier sound. And she opened the door to a lot of music that I began to get into like Violent Soho, Mallrat, Turnover, Wolf Alice, Hinds etc. And then underneath that I really like top 40 pop hits like Royals, Lego House, Stay by Rihanna and Hold On We’re Going Home. It’s almost like those humongous songs bodied a whole personality for me, and I continue to listen and create pop songs with that mentality.
Is there an environment you write best in?
Just playing acoustic guitar and singing with a little notebook on hand in my room feels comfiest. I’ve definitely thought of heaps of random juicy phrases on the train or out on a nice walk though.
What inspired the visual side of the project? Were there any films, aesthetics, or subcultures that played a role?
Y2K crime plays a pretty heavy role in my aesthetic. Like Animal Kingdom (Aus), Prison Break, Breaking Bad type stuff. Then of course there’s the metal font that I drew up, not entirely expecting to use it for the mixtape art, but I think it ties everything together really well with my depressing lyrics and thick pointy eyeliner. Like that emo TikTok/e-girl ethos. Especially for Downfall. I feel like I try to compensate for how sensitive and nerdy I am by looking somewhat ‘tough’ and ‘goth’.
Who are some up-and-coming acts in NSW that you're excited about right now?
Plinks is a pretty exciting girlie! She does shoegaze stuff, it's pretty dreary and relaxing. As well as my collaborators on this project Cherry Rype and blair romance who I’ve been getting to know over the past two years and they are very boundary pushing artists. I also really like Sidra, FRIDAY*, Dylan Atlantis, the band Stirr, Calliobel, ummm I could go on haha!
What are some of your favourite venues to play in across NSW?
It's tricky because I kind of enjoy playing the actual SHOW more when it's some 200-cap venue like Moshpit or (RIP) Rad bar or something. It's just so uncomfortable to not have a green room not gonna lie. That’s why I like venues like The Metro and Oxford Art Factory but I’m not famous so the show is usually less memorable lol. And (random) the Music Foundry I think it’s called? It's basically the upper level of the Illawarra Leagues club and I have had some hilarious times there.
What would you say makes a live show special?
If someone from my family is there!
What’s the best live show you’ve been to lately?
Drake brought out PARTYNEXTDOOR in Sydney earlier this year soooo yeah that was a dream. And I loved seeing FREDDY recently, she’s another one to watch.
What band poster was on your wall as a teen?
Ed Sheeran…
What was the first album you ever bought?
People ALWAYS ASK ME THIS ON FIRST DATES and in life in general and I don’t know because I listened to music on my sisters itunes account for yEARSS. But I remember when I finally got an ipod and I bought the song Unfaithful by Rihanna, and the soundtrack to the Great Gatsby AHAH. But I became independent and cool eventually and one of the first CD’s I actually went out and bought was probably ‘Leave Me Alone’ by Hinds. I don't know where the hell I bought it from ‘cause the Newsagent in Moruya where I grew up definitely wasn’t selling indie shit but probably online.
What’s your most played song right now?
‘A Warning’ by Wallows XD pretty af song.
Listen to ‘Downfall’ by Annabelle Scobie below.