We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Avvi a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Avvi, thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I have always been drawn to music. I grew up studying classical cello and voice, so music was very much intertwined with my childhood. However, the idea of pursuing a career as an artist didn’t cross my mind until I was in high school. That is when I really leaned into songwriting and performing live. I became very much involved in any extra-curricular involving music. Because music was and is so much a part of me, I wanted to make it my career. Singing and creating music felt natural and familiar. So, at age 18, I moved from Upstate New York to Nashville, Tennessee, to study voice and music business at Belmont University.

Avvi, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Avvi (pronounced “Abby” but with a “v”), and I am an indie pop artist based in Nashville, Tennessee! I would describe my sound as indie alt-pop with pop-rock undertones – a cross between pop Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey, and Conan Gray. When it comes to songwriting, I love playing with analogies and making the listener feel what I felt in a particular situation or relationship. My musical influences growing up were Stevie Nicks, Tori Amos, and Jewel. Lyrics pull me into a song, and these three women were inspiring because of their profound writing and ability to crossover into many different genres! My love for music began when I started playing cello at age five. I loved the feeling of expressing myself through an instrument! In middle school, I began taking voice lessons and getting into songwriting. Throughout my childhood, I continued to study music and perform in my school’s symphony, orchestra, choir, musical theater, and ensembles – you name it, and I was probably in it! My parents were supportive of me pursuing music, and their support led me to study voice and music business in college.
After college, I took a step back from music and went to law school. At that time, I was an unhealthy perfectionist who let my perfectionism steal the joy music brought me. I was very critical of myself and needed to take a break. However, I felt like a piece of me was missing when I stopped singing and playing cello. That was a pivotal moment because I did not realize until then how much I needed music in my life. When I wasn’t creating and singing, I became depressed. So after law school, I released my first single, “Liar in Bed,” and have released five more singles and an EP since then. I don’t regret taking the time off to change my perspective on my art because it helped me grow as an artist. Getting back into music gave me a second chance to change my frame of mind. I had also learned to give myself grace. As a creative, I think it is imperative to allow yourself to mess up, make mistakes, and experiment with your sound. That’s how you become even better and develop your style!
As for what’s next, I plan on going back into the studio to record more music and play local shows! You can follow me on Instagram and Facebook @avvimusic or go to my website at www.avvi.ink to receive updates on my music and shows!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being creative is the ability to create something out of nothing. To hear or see something in your mind that no one else can and then transform it into something tangible for others to experience is an incredible gift! My favorite part of being an artist is writing songs!

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Typically, I am not one to reach for a self-help book. However, there are books I wish I read sooner as they transformed how I view my art. As a perfectionist, I feel like I held myself back in my earlier years due to a fear of failing. In order to enjoy creating music, I had to learn to live with my perfectionism and filter the self-sabotaging thoughts. Part of what helped me the most was reading books written by other perfectionists who are creatives. It made me feel less alone and put into perspective how I needed to approach my art. Some of the books I read were, The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron and Finish by Jon Acuff. If you are a perfectionist and an artist, I highly recommend these books!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.avvi.ink
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avvimusic/?fbclid=IwAR1S1QHirn7TUyDgj-klPRQqATPmaWRXKNLC8jY6pd5x5R0mlIji-eQInGM
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avvimusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AvviMusic

Image Credits
Hannah Drake