With their warm brown eyes, blonde hair and pretty faces, you’d be forgiven for thinking bourgeoning country duo Mae Valley’s Hannah Cosgrove and Abby Cristodoulou were sisters.
Their relaxed, friendly banter and comfortable way with each other certainly suggests they’ve known each other for a very long time.
In actual fact, the talented twosome were complete strangers until just a year ago when they were thrown together during the 2015 season of The X-Factor New Zealand.
“We connected and gelled straight away,” says 19-year-old New Plymouth native Abby. “It obviously helped that we both love country music.”
And while it was their beautiful harmonies and genuine Kiwi approach to country music that gained them a position on the NZ music charts, they say their close bond has helped to carry them through since they were eliminated from the show last year.
“I don’t think I’ve ever connected with someone so quickly – it’s like it was meant to be,” says Hannah (21), who is based in Hamilton. “We balance each other out, not just in our music but in life as well.”
Indeed, since leaving the show, Mae Valley has gone from strength to strength.
Abby (left) and Hannah say their bond has helped them through tough times when they were eliminated from The X-Factor New Zealand.
They were signed by Sony and attracted the backing of management company Smoke Music. And after months of hard work, they’ve just released their debut self-titled EP.
When the Weekly meets the pair, the girls are just about to head out to a sound check for American country-pop artist Kelsea Bellerini.
“We’re so excited. It’s just fun to get up there in front of the crowd,” says Hannah. “Neither of us used to be able to imagine being in a duo before we were put together on the show, but now we don’t know why it took us so long. It’s nice to have someone up there with you.”
They’ve come a long way since they each made their fresh-faced debut on The X-Factor.
Dressed in denim shorts, with a casual T-shirt and plenty of jewellery, Hannah and Abby are the very definition of pop stars.
“Oh, thanks!” they chorus in unison, before shooting each other a look and bursting into giggles.
“I actually just got my hair cut like this – I thought it was time for a change,” tells Hannah, who Abby describes as the “badass one”. “Image wise, I mean,” she clarifies, laughing.
As good friends often do, the girls finish each other’s sentences. They don’t like talking about themselves, but are full of praise for each other.
When asked what they each bring to Mae Valley, Abby is ever pragmatic.
“Okay, I’ll say what Hannah brings, and Hannah, you can say what I bring,” she says. “Well, you bring the male attention!” teases Hannah.
Hannah sums it up. “We complement each other. We’re in this together and neither of us would have it any other way.”
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