Avara
I’m honored to get to feature Avara for her debut single “golden”. This record is everything I am looking for when listening to music. “golden” delivers magical and soulful melodies, stunning vocals, emotional lyrics and a captivating production. Avara is an artist to watch and I really cannot wait to watch her grow and evolve musically and artistically.
“golden” is now available everywhere. Please, take a moment to check it out !
Introduce yourself - what's your story?
Hey, I’m Avara! I’m an Indian-American singer, songwriter and producer. I was born in NYC, grew up in Atlanta, and now live in Austin, TX. I started singing at 6 or 7, when my parents put me in Indian classical voice lessons. Then, I was in choir for 7 years, where I was trained classically. When I was 20, I taught myself how to produce music on Logic pro.
Now, I’m 22 years old. I could say I make R&B / contemporary soul music that attempts to translate the experience of meditation and contemplative mindset, but also has a funky groove. Really, I don’t want my music to be restricted like that, put in a box and labeled and packaged to be marketed to a certain crowd. I’m proudly South Asian, and one of my goals with music is to bridge gaps between worlds. I’m used to having "one foot in many doors,” so that means my music also transverses genres. I want to show Americans how beautiful my culture can be because I didn't appreciate it when I was younger. I’m integrating my Indian classical music training with my Eurocentric choral music background. As an extremely sensitive person, I translate my emotions and world perceptions into my music. It’s often vulnerable, a bit sad, but hopefully ultimately relatable.
What did you grow up listening to?
I grew up listening to classical Indian music, Bollywood songs, a lot of Elvis Presley (thanks dad), and pop music - mostly Taylor Swift. Later on, in Atlanta, I would find faves like Kendrick Lamar, Nykee Heaton, the Weeknd, and others. I realized how much I loved the bassy, 808 kick sound. It always made me feel so cool.
When did you know you could sing?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been singing. As a child, I never shut up. I was always singing in the car, or put on the spot at my family’s giant Indian gatherings. It wasn’t until I got my first chorus solo in 7th grade, however, that I realized other people liked my voice. That was when I was like, “okay, I actually should explore this.” I started singing Taylor Swift karaoke on YouTube, and that’s when I got my introduction into western, pop music.
At what point did you realize it was time for you to be an artist and release your original music?
I dreamed of being an artist since I picked up a guitar. I picked up a guitar because I wanted to be a popstar like Taylor Swift. She was the reason I started writing songs at 12 years old (when I made my first song on Garageband). But sadly, those dreams didn’t come to fruition for many years. In all honesty, I don’t think I was ready. When I went to college at 18, I let my passions fall to the side, thinking I would pursue a corporate career in business.
Then, the pandemic happened in 2020, and I decided to teach myself (through tutorials on LinkedIn Learning and YouTube) how to produce on Logic. I was tired of waiting for someone to walk into my life and do it for me. I recorded and released my first two songs and put them on Spotify. But, I still wasn’t ready then either.
In November 2022, I was asked to sing at my first Sofar Sounds show in Austin. I sang “golden” and a couple other songs I had written that year, and when I looked in the crowd and saw that some people were brought to tears, I was shocked. Later, I had multiple people come up to me and ask if my music was released. That night was when I realized it was finally time to be an artist. The world was ready to hear. Since then, I’ve been working non-stop to develop my identity and sound, work with some amazingly talented people, and get my work ready to be received by the world.
"golden" is your debut single - what's the story/inspiration behind this song?
The world of “golden” takes you through an imagined world I created. We are in a castle in the medieval era. The castle is marble. There are stone walls inside that are very large and hollow. The air smells like sweet honey. There is a king and a queen who are supposedly in love.The queen gives up everything for her king. She molds herself to be exactly what he wants her to be. She is malleable, and soft, and shapeless, like honey. She is beautiful. Her radiance is golden. They live like this for a long time (2 years to be exact).
Soon enough, however, the king starts to become bored. He takes her for granted, he starts taking advantage of his power and his status. He basically discards her to the side like she’s a lowly beggar. So the queen gives up her crown and her throne (“I was your queen only by name”). We start to realize the castle is lowkey haunted. There’s a lot of ghosts (skeletons - laughs). The woman turns into a wildfire. She cannot be tamed anymore. She burns the whole castle down. But she’s always golden. She always has been.
Could you describe the songwriting/production process for this song? Who helped you create it? When did you start working on it?
“golden” actually started as a poem I wrote in my creative writing class at my university, led by Jericho Brown. I had written it about my ex at the time, who had mysteriously ghosted me out of the blue. A couple weeks after I’d written the poem, in early 2022, I met this guy in Atlanta (where I was living and going to university at the time), who would later become my producer and friend (SORRY EVERETT). The first time he came over to my studio, he had brought over this beat. I brought out the poem I had written, started singing, and golden came to life in less than two hours. I knew we had created something special. And here we are now, in 2023, and I cannot wait for the world to hear it.
What's your favorite lyric on "golden"?
“You used to worship me like royalty, now you spit on me like a beggar” .
People can often become different versions of themselves across different relationships. They try to fit this mold of a person they think they need to be. My message is that you do not need to be so soft and malleable. You don’t need to people please. Whether you are honey, or you are wildfire, as a person, as a valid human, you are still “golden.” And so when I say golden, I mean that they are worthy. Gold is one of the most rare and precious metals on earth. They are precious. My message is that you, the listener, are perfect, the way you are. I hope whoever listens to this song finds the strength to realize that they are “golden” and do not need the validation of anyone. I hope it sends the message that you ALREADY have everything you need within you.
What made you want to release "golden" as a single?
I wanted it to be not only my single, but my debut, because it's the first song I’ve made that feels ready. I sat on the song for a year, and I think it sends such a positive message out and will set the tone for the rest of my career.
What can you tell us about the artwork?
In the artwork, I am wearing white, the color of purity and innocence. It is soft, it’s sweet. But my face has a vicious, almost vengeful look. And in our visualizers, I am lighting the bouquet of roses on fire, revealing the stark juxtaposition of honey and wildfire.
As an artist, what is the hardest part? And what is the best part?
The hardest part: The constant comparing yourself to other artists, the self-doubt, the “am I good enough?”, the “is this song ready or do I need to spend another couple months on it?” And additionally, being an artist has slightly taken the joy out of listening to music. I’m critiquing the snare drum, or the kick, or the mixing. However, it makes the phenomenal songs I hear THAT much better, because I can recognize the quality of it.
The best part: If you think about music literally, it’s soundwaves that soothe the soul. Connecting to other creatures in such beautiful, non-traditional ways. Music can say so much in such a short amount of time. It makes you feel less alone. And I feel lucky that I get to do that everyday.
How's it like to be a woman in the music industry? What advice would you give to women?
It’s fucking hard! I’ve been working in the music industry since I was 19 - my first real job was as an intern at a hip-hop record label in Atlanta, Georgia. I was surrounded by men all day. Every job I’ve had since then has felt like being a part of a boy’s club. So I’m super passionate about uplifting other women in this space. Luckily, my first job after college was as a product manager (a traditionally techy, male role) at a woman-owned startup vinyl record company. I really wanna pay it forward with everything my boss taught me.
I think my advice would echo what other incredible women in the industry have told me: You have to be really strong. You have to set firm boundaries. Don’t compromise your morals, and don’t believe everything that someone tells you. It’s easy to get excited by someone’s words, but they’re most likely lying or heavily exaggerating. Wait for their actions! Watch how someone responds to you and treats you when you’re still starting out. Remember it. Then change the game with it.
What are your thoughts on today's music industry? If you could change one thing, what would it be?
I think today’s music industry still has a lot of growth to do. It’s still dominated by a lot of big players, most of whom are white, or men, or both. I’ve heard a lot of people say you have to play the game to change the game, but I think if we all just stood up for each other, the music industry would be a better place.
Could you list a few records that influenced the music you are making today?
Taylor Swift - folklore & evermore
Raveena
Lauryn Hill
FKJ
Erykah Badu
Kendrick Lamar (how I got into rap music)
J. Cole / Smino (how I got into R&B)
Pluko (EDM, hyper pop, R&B, genre blending god)
What does singing make you feel?
Singing makes me feel alive, like the highest expression of myself is being projected into the world. I always tell people, I’m actually deathly afraid of public speaking, but when I’m singing on stage or in the studio, recording, I feel like the most fearless person alive. I’m unafraid.
In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?
If everyone knew the power of meditation and mindfulness - that awareness would automatically fill us with more compassion and kindness for all creatures around us!
What biggest life lessons have you learned so far?
Learn to want what you already have - you are living someone else’s dream life already. And also, trust the process! You receive the energy that you put out into the world.
What can we expect to see/hear from you this year?
I will be consistently releasing singles every month for the rest of 2023, including some really exciting collaborations! I’m so excited to take you on this journey with me as I refine my sound more, build an uplifting community, and incorporate my Indian / Desi background with my love for R&B / soul.
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