A Reclamation of Self: Ladi Abundance Breathes New Life into Music
- Ben Preece
- Apr 8
- 4 min read
There’s a meditative beauty behind Ladi Abundance’s new single 'Breathe, It’s Just A Human'. A quick scan of Zoe Everest’s social media reveals why—she’s a compassionate and open-hearted, loving human being and mother, so it makes sense that this energy would transcend into her music.
The track itself is a slow-burning, piano-led slice of empowering R&B. It gradually builds with backing vocals and a steady, unobtrusive but effortlessly groovable beat, leaving plenty of space for Zoe’s remarkable voice to, quite literally, breathe.
We spoke with Zoe about her return to music after a long hiatus, the healing behind 'Breathe…', and how her creative and personal journeys are beginning to intertwine.
On the story behind the song
“I wrote this song after a long hiatus from the dating world after an abusive relationship. I was feeling it was time to leave the safety of my cocoon and open myself back up to the world and others. When I started dating my now partner, we had both been through a time of insulation where we had been doubting ourselves. This song was a reminder to us both that we are just humans after all, each with our gifts and our flaws. It is also a song for everyone after COVID who felt timid and unsure socially after isolation.”
On the songwriting and production process
“I wrote the song at the piano and then teamed up with my boyfriend, Hughie Doherty (Fat Picnic songwriter/guitarist/manager), for fun to produce the track. I had been showing him a Drake and Rihanna remix that I really loved (because of the drums), so we decided to try putting those types of drums into the track, even though it was originally a piano ballad—and it worked! Then we sent it to Scotty French (Love Street Studios) for mixing. Scotty added some of his own production ideas, which really brought the track up to a whole new level!”
On what the song means
“I hope this song will be a reminder to anyone who is suffering from vulnerability, self-doubt or social anxiety in regards to connecting with others, that many of us feel the same. We are all fragile in our own ways and all on this journey together. It is also a reminder to remember our own gifts and brilliance and what we bring to the table.”
On reclaiming her artistry
“This song is pinnacle in my journey because it's the first song I have written and recorded since becoming a mother. I had a really rough last chapter in the music industry which felt isolating and hard and deflating. Every time I would imagine getting back into music, I felt such strong resistance and fear. So releasing this song is huge for me and it feels like a piece of me has come home—a reclamation of my artist self. As far as the song goes on a meaning level, you could say it's also a message to myself, as the lyrics say: ‘It's time to come out, move through the doubt, so you're making your way.’”
On vocal growth and space
“I guess after studying vocal coaching at the Con we were encouraged to sing in a very speech-like way with no tension. I think this has influenced the way I sing and write for sure. Before, I think I had a bit more grit and growl in my voice but it wasn't a sustainable way to sing. I do miss the grit sometimes but still find myself on this journey toward ultimate vocal freedom.”
“I think it's taken me a long time to appreciate space in music. I feel in the past—both with my band and my productions—that I had always felt the need to add more and more. I now realise that often, less is more.”
On the response so far
“The feedback has been really positive. I don't know if it's because of the song or because I haven't released in such a long time (you know Aussies love an underdog). The most touching feedback that stood out were these:‘I am at a party, talking to a friend who is scared to release her photos, we just listened to your song and I said it's time to come out now. It was a beautiful moment, thank you.’‘A healing love song for the people.’”
On balancing music and healing work
“So I am a mum first and foremost. Then I find, honestly, that I can only manage one thing outside of motherhood at a time. It's a juggle! I do find that my work is all starting to cross over though, which helps my brain not get so overwhelmed. For example, this year my main focus is on my healing work Shaking Medicine, which helps people let go of trauma and stuck emotions and heal their nervous system. I have found that my singing warm-ups all complement this work immensely, as does group singing. I am crafting an a cappella affirmations album to also assist this work of healing and nervous system renewal, and I can see how the songs I am recording in the future can also be played during these classes. So I feel like all my work is starting to cross over, which feels unified and amazing!”
On what's coming next
“Releasing this song after such a long hiatus really has inspired me to keep recording and releasing again. I already have quite a few songs that I had written before getting pregnant that I would like to release, as well as a new song which I am now recording called 'I Need To Change', written about my experience with burnout and how, in order to heal from it, it's requiring me to change some foundational parts of myself—not easy!”
'Breathe, It’s Just A Human' marks a creative reawakening for Zoe Everest—an honest, powerful reminder of the beauty in vulnerability and the strength it takes to begin again.
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