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Abby Christo is a Kiwi with a Nashville heart, taking country music into a contemporary realm with pop sensibilities and tender, relatable songwriting. Having achieved significant mainstream success in her native New Zealand, Christo is now located in Australia and entering a new chapter, with her artistry winning over ears and mending hearts worldwide. Growing up in a small town of just 700 people, Christo inherited her creativity from her father, a DJ who spun disco records at home; and her mother, a painter and sculptor. Christo took those interests to school where she sang in the choir and stage productions, and when her grandparents saw her undeniable talent, they brought her to the local country club to perform in front of the public. It was there that she fell in love with the storytelling in country music - delving into classics by Dolly Parton and Shania Twain, while also admiring pop mainstays like Britney Spears and Fergie. In 2015, Christo appeared on the second series of X-Factor New Zealand, placing her in front of a national audience in what proved to be a transformative experience. "X-Factor gave me the confidence I needed as a teen," Christo says. "I was bullied badly through school for singing and spending my weekends at gigs. X-Factor was the first big opportunity for me to be in my element, and opened my eyes to what's out there beyond my hometown." During the show, she formed the duo Mae Valley with fellow contestant Hannah Cosgrove, and swiftly signed to Sony Music Entertainment. Mae Valley's self-titled EP broke the Top 10 on the New Zealand charts, while they went on to play alongside global country megastars like Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood and Kelsea Ballerini. Following the duo's dissolution in 2017, Christo spent two years finding her voice as a solo artist once again. During the hiatus, she booked a trip to Australia and penned what would become her debut single, 'Kiss Me Into Monday'. Since releasing in 2019, the song has earned over 1.3 million streams to date, re-introducing listeners to Christo's heartfelt brand of country with her most earnest songwriting yet. "My music represents the real experiences I'm navigating in my twenties: The heartbreak, highlights, and reality checks," she says. "I hope listeners can relate to moments or feelings we've all shared. If I could help one broken-hearted person get through it, this will all be worth it." That same year, Christo took a trip to her spiritual home of Nashville to collaborate with like-minded musicians, following up her impactful debut with shimmering pop anthems ('Cooler Than Me') and disco-tinged country songs ('Bring Your Body'). While the music industry came to a standstill during the pandemic, Christo spent the time steadily crafting her debut EP, set to release in 2022. Working with writers and producers from both New Zealand and Sydney, Christo went back to her DIY roots for the COVID-friendly creative process. "It was super challenging at times, because a lot of the magic happens when you're at a studio in person," she says. "I had to record vocals from my makeshift vocal booth - I stuffed the living room with pillows and blankets to block out the noise, and would wait until late at night when there were no cars going by." As the first project that Christo has complete creative control over, fans can expect the EP to contain her most authentic music yet. She's also set to elevate her live show with the introduction of a full live band to her repertoire, with tour dates across the summer. Describing herself as a "heartbroken optimist", 2022 will see many more listeners will find solace and hope in Christo's country songs.