Hi, how’s it going? For those people that haven’t heard of Ava in the Dark could you tell us a bit about the band your story?
Hey Mike! Going great at the moment, we’re busy finishing our first EP coming this December 18th! We’re a 4-piece indie-pop band based in Leeds. I’d describe our sound as sweet, angelic vocals meet experimental guitar, punchy drums, shimmering synths and fuzzy basslines.
A blend of ice-cold goth colliding with sumptuous new Pop. I’ve been singing since I can remember, but since meeting Tommie (the bassist) we’ve started collaborating, turning our ideas into songs. We both write, produce and mix the tracks.
The pandemic has been a difficult time for musicians, how have you coped with the situation?
We record and produce a lot ourselves so it hasn’t affected us in that sense luckily, although we have lost our first festival bookings for this Summer, and live sessions this Winter. However, we’ll be announcing an exciting live session with a big name in Leeds and we’ve got some ambitious plans for 2021!
Who inspired you to get together perform?
Kiera and the bassist, Tommie have been performing with each other since high school and since moving to Leeds, met Harry (guitarist) at Leeds Beckett Uni and Thom (drummer) playing the Cajon at a gig in Hyde Park Book Club.
Are there any particular artist or albums that have inspired your sound?
EVERY ‘THE 1975′ ALBUM & Pale Waves’ “My Mind Makes Noises” are big influences. There are 80’s punchy synth elements from The Weeknd’s newest album ‘After hours’ (what an album though!!!?)
I heavily listened to Wolf Alice at around 2015 when I saw them at Albert hall, they do still definitely influence the rockier side to our sound. There are so many influences but I’ll mention a few more – Nothing but Thieves (Conor Mason) for pure vocal control and talent, his voice is literally my inspiration. Our guitarist is a big fan of Muse and Tom Morello, which explains the abundance of effects and the rockier vibe.
Could you tell us a bit about the writing/recording of the Syncr Music competition-winning tack “Delete Us Forever”?
We recorded this track in our home studio, and after posting some clips of it on our Instagram, 2x Grammy Award-Winning Mix Engineer Eduardo De La Paz got in touch asking to mix it for a lockdown project at the beginning of March. He’s done a lot to help many artists that had lost work like us during the first lockdown.
To me, it sounds like Wolf Alice’s “Don’t Delete The Kisses” was quite a big inspiration for the track is that true or is it just a coincidence?
We listen to a lot of Wolf Alice and I think for this track, Pale Waves (particularly the track ‘Drive’) and ‘Don’t Delete The Kisses’ were big inspirations. The meaning couldn’t be more opposite though, ‘Delete Us Forever’ being about wanting the ability to delete unwanted memories as easily as a social media post. The nostalgic vibe of the track being kind of ironic along with the guitar solo which is 80s rock-balled worthy.
What have been some of your favourite venues to perform at?
The Brudenell Social Club, which was one of the first venues we played, The Wardrobe and Oporto, one of our favourite Leeds bars!
How do you think music will change after the pandemic or what do you want to see change?
I think it’ll take a while to get back to normal, definitely won’t be moshing at Nothing But Thieves gig in May…
There seems to be more competition for online live streams, and they can never live up to a proper live gig. Maybe the way forward is more distanced, outside gigs so the capacity can still be enough to make it viable for artists.
Here at Artistic Echoes, we are always on the lookout for new artists do you have anyone to recommend?
Edited People, another Leeds indie-pop band are releasing some Pop bangers early in the new year!
What plans do you have for the rest of the year?
Our next single’s out December 11th and the EP the week after that! As mentioned, we’ll be announcing a big special live session soon. We’ve already got material for EP number 2 early next year.
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