Australian-based dark, alt-pop artist AViVA has fast become an underground phenomenon. A completely independent artist who has surpassed two billion streams, AViVA has built her impressive fan-base from her all-encompassing world of music and visual art – with her third book on the cards for 2021. We caught up with AViVA to discuss her first musical memory, influences, what she aims to achieve and more…
Firstly, tell us a bit about yourself and your band.
I am AViVA. I am a singer, and a songwriter and an author. I call myself an artist and mean it in the holistic sense, because I am compulsively creative and there isn’t something that I haven’t dabbled in or don’t want to try. I love to write songs about friendship and the troubles that can bring, and being yourself. I work with my long-time creative partner AViVA who helps me manage my creative mind in a way that is cohesive and able to be received by audiences around the world. We write the music together and also play live together.
How did the band form and how long have you been together?
We met at a Goldfield’s concert in Australia in 2013. I was looking for a producer and he was looking for a new band. That weekend we wrote the first song we’d ever written together (Reel Me In). At the time we had done it remotely through our own bedroom studios… Very 2020 in retrospect.
Can you remember the first time you realised you wanted to make music?
I’ve been a performer for as long as I can remember. I love to perform. To sing infront of an audience and vibe off their emotions while I wrangle my own. It wasn’t until I was about fourteen that I started writing my own songs ‘seriously’. At that point, I had a lot of feelings and emotions and I wanted a way to let them out that was safe and productive. After that point I was hooked and there was no feasible way I could ever stop.
Who and what are your main influences?
My favourite band ever is The Smiths. I was drawn to Morrisey’s melancholy lyrics and the upbeat music that paired with it, you felt like dancing even though the words were sad. I like that dichotomy. I am a love of music, obviously, and I try to consume music widely without any prejudice. Personally I am drawn most to how things make me feel. That means I can love one song from an artist with ten albums, and love every song from an artist that only has an EP out. It really depends. Vocally I have always been drawn to female vocalists like Karen Carpenter and Kate Bush. They are at different ends of the spectrum, stylistically and from a pitch perspective but their ability to tell a story through the timbre of their voices has always impaved my and my choices as a vocalist.
What do you aim to achieve as an artist?
I am to be a role model for people despite their gender or background. I always strive to be as authentically who I am at all times as I can be. I don’t play at smoke and mirrors. I’m building a world with my music and my novel, set to come out next year. I want my fans to have a world they can live in and thrive. A place they can return to where the sounds and sights are all familiar, and they’re surrounded by a community of outsiders who feel the same way. I’m lucky enough that this is already becoming a reality. In all things, I want to share my passion for self-expression and creativity.
For those who are yet to see you live, what can they expect from an AViVA show?
AViVA live is so much fun. We bring the energy of a rock band, with the mystery that is everpresent with my art. I love seeing all the people in the audience singing along and experiencing their love for my music in a live setting with other people who feel the same. That really is the power of live music. It is hard to put into words, something that can only be felt and experienced. One thing I do think makes seeing AViVA live unique and worthwhile. The songs are alive too. They don’t sound like you’re pressing play on a record. They come to life and that in itself is worth experiencing.
What’s next for AViVA?
Well, most of my plans for 2020 centred around touring. Since that is off the table for now I’m working on writing new music, finishing my third book and coming up with some new ideas for 2021. I’m not letting the current global climate affect my planning. 2021 is the year we’re going to get back on the road around Europe, the UK and the US. We’ll also be dabbling in some shows around Asia… this is all assuming it’s safe to do so. Safety first!
AViVA‘s latest single EViL is out now, available to stream or purchase HERE.
