GET TO KNOW: CARRIE ABYSS

In a world where the divine is indifferent and the damned must scream to be heard, CARRIE ABYSS makes music that feels like a ritual. The London-based Assyrian-Armenian artist, known offstage as Bernadette Lara, has long been unafraid to dive into the shadows. But with her new concept EP 'Hey, Sinner', she is commanding the darkness.

Rooted in ancient Assyrian myth and haunted by modern betrayal, 'Hey, Sinner' is a bold, genre-defying work that channels alt-pop, industrial, and choral textures into a gothic exorcism of sin and shame. Its devastating closer 'Father, Forgive Me' was born from a personal act of reclamation: when her work was stolen, Lara stripped everything back to the one thing that could not be taken, her voice.

So with the new EP out now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and influences over the years.

What was the first band or artist you fell in love with? 

I think the first time I fell in love with a band was when I discovered Evanescence at the age of 11. Seeing Amy Lee, a woman with a piano in the rock scene was a revolutionary moment for a girl like me with classical music training in piano but aspiring to be a rockstar. She changed perceptions in the industry. 

Did you ever form a band when you were younger and if so, what did they sound like? 

I played in various bands. I was the keyboardist and back vocalist for a melodic death metal band, a psychedelic indie rock band, and my own old music under the name Bernadette Lara which is pop. I also produced a funk EP with Turkish classical music with another band. I’m inspired by so many different genres in music and scene dynamics. I think the diversity in my music taste is what makes my music unique. 

What has been your primary inspiration in writing music? 

The queer community has been a big inspiration for me artistically. When I first stepped in the queer scene, it opened my eyes. Having an incredibly talented and creative community around you makes you inevitably inspired. I believe inspiration is an external source that chooses someone at a certain time and if they don’t use it to create art with it, it goes to someone else. That’s why I try to prioritise making art when inspiration hits, I believe it chooses me for a reason and I don’t want to waste the potential.

What is a song you wish you had written yourself? 

Definitely “Dance In The Dark” by Lady Gaga. It breaks my heart every time I listen to it. It’s about being a woman in this society, “Baby loves to dance in the dark, ‘cause when he’s lookin’ she falls apart”. I felt like this so many times in my experience and I’m sure most women can relate. I believe music is a really powerful tool and it’s important to talk about these topics. The production also reflects the lyrics so well. Especially the synthesizer in the intro!

If there was any moment in your career you could relive, what would it be? 

My first gig in Istanbul! It was really special, all my friends and family were there. It was the first time I was performing songs I wrote, even though I’ve been on stage many times before, it’s so different singing your own music and seeing people sing it back to you. That’s when I knew I had so many people rooting for me, it’s what keeps me going.

Which artist would you most love to share a stage with? 

Lots… but I think I’d love to share a stage with Nine Inch Nails the most. They’re one of my biggest inspirations and I think it’s pretty obvious in my music. The energy of their music is unmatched. I think my music would fit really well with theirs. 

And is there an artist you would love to collaborate with as well? 

There are lots of artists I would love to collaborate with but my ultimate answer to this will forever be my biggest idol Björk. She is the reason I learned production and started producing my own music. Vespertine is still one of the best produced albums of all time in my opinion. It’s also the reason I started recording foley and using them in my music. 

Where do you see yourself in five years time? 

I see myself establishing a core audience, a community that supports me and allows me to be free and confident to express my creativity in five years time. I’m already grateful for the amazing people who stand by me today, and I hope to continue growing this community even further.

Listen to CARRIE ABYSS' new EP 'Hey, Sinner' below.