Get to know: Abi Orfila - Kentish Singer Streamlined to Country Rock Stardom
- QH SOUND
- Aug 22
- 3 min read
When you think of country music, the first places that come to mind are usually Nashville, Texas, or Tennessee - not Folkestone, Kent. But Abi Orfila is redefining the map, proving that country and country rock belong on UK stages as much as anywhere else. With a career that has taken her from local gigs to international performances in Gibraltar and Nashville, Abi is now on the radar as one of the UK’s most exciting rising artists.
Fresh off her latest empowering single “Streamlined”, Abi’s journey is nothing short of inspiring, and it all started when she was just five years old. “From a young age, I was drawn to the stage” Abi recalls, “My first audition was for Annie – The Musical at just 5 years old. At 7, I started taking piano lessons... By 13, I was writing my own songs, a passion that inspired me to form a band with my brother and sister at 17.”
Over the last decade, this passion has taken Abi far beyond her hometown, with performances across the UK and beyond. But her story is also about resilience, navigating the challenges of building a country career in the UK, where the genre is still carving its mainstream place. “The hardest part was trusting the process of building a country music career in the UK, but seeing the genre’s incredible growth here has made it all worthwhile.”
Abi describes her sound as: “Imagine if Nickelback or Queen were a female solo artist on the West End - that would be a way to capture the core style of my music.”
With three-part harmonies, big choruses, and poetic lyrics inspired by musical theatre, Abi’s music stands out in a crowded landscape. Influences like Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Lady A, and Rascal Flatts meet the power of Queen and Nickelback, creating something uniquely hers: country-infused rock with drama and soul.
Every artist has that one phone call they’ll never forget. For Abi, it came on a work break: “I worked for Superdrug and one day whilst I was on my break, I got a phone call from my mum to say that Yamaha had got in contact about the band winning the competition for a slot on the big entrance stage at Country to Country (C2C) at the O2 arena, London.”
Since then, Abi has gone from strength to strength. Her track “Here I Come” was chosen as BBC Introducing’s Track of the Week for International Women’s Day, and she even earned a spot on her hometown’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Wall of Fame.
Abi’s latest release, “Streamlined,” is more than a song, it’s an anthem of empowerment and self-assurance. Written in collaboration with Glen Murphy (winner of Britain’s Got Talent – The Champions), the track blends modern country energy with Abi’s signature powerhouse vocals. “We wrote it spending two days in the studio, the creative energy was amazing."
Abi’s music isn’t just about catchy hooks, it’s about connection. "Through my music, I hope to create a space for people to explore their emotions, become more self-aware and find a voice for their feelings.”
That mission was clear at Millport Country Music Festival, where a technical fault could have ended her set. Instead, Abi and her band unplugged and played acoustically in the crowd - a bold move that earned them a feature in Maverick Magazine, where they were named “One to Watch.”
Abi isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Alongside her single launch, she’s gearing up for more festival slots and working on her upcoming album. Her next big ambition? “I am currently trying to work on securing a sync deal with the hope to have one of my songs feature in a TV show, film or advert.”
One thing is certain: Abi Orfila is a name country fans and the industry should keep on their radar.
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