At just 14 years old, Ava Valianti is already swiftly conquering the world and hearts of people with her new single, “Middle Ground,” right after a successful debut with the track ‘bubble wrap’. Her music not only mesmerizes but also prompts reflection: where does such depth come from in such a young performer?
Critics unanimously agree that Ava’s talent knows no bounds. Her songs, like atmospheric portals, transport listeners into a world of emotions and experiences. Comparing her to Olivia Rodrigo and Billie Eilish acknowledges that she is becoming a bright star in the world of pop music.
Recently, I had the unique opportunity to speak with Ava via video call, and I can’t help but share my impressions. Apart from her artistry, I was struck by her openness and intellect. For her, music serves as a cathartic outlet, allowing her to express the myriad emotions that course through her veins. In a world that often feels tumultuous and uncertain, she hopes that her music can serve as a source of solace and connection for listeners far and wide. It was a special interest and privilege for me to delve into her thoughts, learn about how she creates music, discuss inspiration, and, of course, her new single. Read more about all of this in our exclusive interview below.
photo by @iamavavalianti
Hi Ava, I just listened to your new single “Middle Ground,” and I wanted to congratulate you—it’s simply incredible. Awesome song. Can you share with me the inspiration behind the song and what listeners can expect from it when the single drops on February 23?
The inspiration for “Middle Ground” was pretty spur of the moment for me. I had just finished a 24-hour fight over text – which is the worst kind of fight to have because there’s no common ground when you can’t see how the other person truly feels. I felt angry and empty and really hurt. I felt like there was no way to mend what had just been broken. I decided to write about how I was feeling, and at one point I thought to myself, “hey, this might actually make a good song!” So, I put pen to paper, and brought it to the studio. And I’m so glad I did.
The title “Middle Ground” suggests a space of compromise or balance. Could you elaborate on the significance of this title and how it reflects the song’s message?
What an awesome question! For me, the title came pretty naturally. The biggest feeling I had during the ordeal was that I just wanted things to go back and be the way they once were. I knew in my heart that I would never be able to go back to the past, so what I really tried to find was some sort of reconciliation through a middle ground. And the title really spoke to me because as hard as I tried to bring us back to some sort of a forgiving place, our relationship was already gone.
Crafting a song like “Middle Ground” must have come with its own set of challenges. Can you tell us about some of the hurdles you faced during the creation process? Whether it was finding the right melody, perfecting the lyrics, or capturing the mood you envisioned, what were some of the obstacles you encountered? And, perhaps most importantly, how did you manage to overcome them and bring “Middle Ground” to life?
Definitely the end of the song. The process was almost at its close and we all felt that something was missing, me most of all. It was nice enough, pretty and good to listen to, but there wasn’t any particular musical moment in the song that really shone through to make it more unique and special. That is, until we decided to include more harmonies. We added a few, then suddenly a few more. Tate, my assistant producer, was the first to come up with the idea of an almost choir-like harmony, and Chris (my producer) just ran with it. I ended up having to say goodbye to my original ending, which was such a difficult choice, but the song benefited from that choice exponentially. This really brought power to the song, as well as a more re-playable quality. It really lifted everything up and was one of the best choices we made while creating “Middle Ground”!
Collaborating with producer Chris Plante must be a fascinating experience. Can you walk us through your creative process when writing and recording “Middle Ground”? Any memorable moments from the studio?
Well, when I first brought the song to him, I brought him about a minute’s worth more lyrics than what ended up in the recording. I originally played the song with its simple chords and lengthy lines on his piano, and we were both super excited about how this song was going to turn out. However, what we had to do was cut down and edit a ton of the lyrics that I was completely devoted to. But, I realized that they didn’t fit with the rest of the song and I cut the song down. With finished lyrics, we then started to work on music production. This particular musical process was super fun for me and I so enjoyed making “Middle Ground”! We just had the best time, working so collaboratively to create this song that I’m so, so proud of!
photo by @iamavavalianti
How do you think “Middle Ground” will resonate with them compared to your debut single?
The song is definitely very different in style from my debut single, “Bubble Wrap”, that’s for sure. But I believe that the subject matter – losing the friendship/relationship with someone that you never thought you’d lose – isn’t dissimilar at all. I think people will be happily surprised, especially since I believe we made a wonderful song that’s hard not to relate to.
Your music has drawn comparisons to industry heavyweights like Olivia Rodrigo and Billie Eilish. How do you stay true to your own unique style while navigating these comparisons?
Wow, first of all, that’s a huge compliment! Thank you, I so appreciate the comparisons. I do feel that I have many bigger artists that inspire my work. But I try to stay individual by bringing in mixtures of different genres, styles of writing, production, and vocals. I have so many things I want to explore and I believe I can incorporate all of them and make them my own with my unique lens.
Your upcoming EP release has got fans buzzing with excitement. Can you give us a sneak peek into what themes or surprises we can expect? Are there any unexpected twists that might catch us off guard?
Well, you can already expect “Middle Ground” and “Bubble Wrap” to be featured. Recently, I’ve been focusing a lot on relationships, whether they’re platonic, romantic, or otherwise. That’s a pretty heavy theme in a lot of my songs, but there’s many other things waiting and in store for listeners. I always want to take lots of risks and create songs that excite people or at least make them feel deeply, so I hope my EP does just that. I’m so excited for everyone to hear this and can’t wait for it to be released!
With your sophomore release “Middle Ground” set to be celebrated through a series of performances at The Joy Nest in Newburyport, MA, fans are eagerly awaiting the experience. Could you share a glimpse into what you have in store for these upcoming concerts?
I’m always just going to have fun! I’ll be singing many of my songs, as well as some covers by other artists. I love to perform and can’t wait to be back singing live again! My next performance is on March 30, so make sure to save the date and mark your calendars!
As you prepare for these upcoming shows, are there any new elements or arrangements you’re excited to debut on stage?
Well, as I said before, I have lots of originals and some covers to sing, but I’m never opposed to singing some of my unreleased music! I always think that would be a fun surprise for everyone in the audience, to hear something that’s never been heard before! But I guess you’re just going to have to wait and see!
If you could team up with any artist, for a collaboration, who would be your dream pick and why? It could be someone you admire for their style, their message, or even just because you think you’d vibe together creatively. Who comes to mind?
What a big question! A dream team collaboration would definitely be Billie Eilish and FINNEAS. The two of them are absolutely brilliant. I do believe FINNEAS is a genius producer, and Billie will go down in history as a music legend. They are people I dream about working with someday, as I admire them and their work so much. Even just getting advice from them would make me so happy. I’d also love to work with Holly Humberstone if I got the chance. She’s such an incredible writer, singer, and creator and I’m currently obsessed with her recent album, Paint My Bedroom Black. Those are the people that I would absolutely love to collaborate with.
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