Meet Ava Ware of Nashville Tennessee

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ava Ware.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Yes! My story begins in the basement of my house in Atlanta, Georgia, surrounded by microphones, drums, guitars, and other instruments. Growing up in a creative family, the arts were always encouraged. My dad, a drummer, has been a huge advocate for me to pursue music. I vividly remember when I was about 10 years old and he found some lyrics I had written for a song called She’s a Monster. The lyrics went something like, “She’s a thief in the night and you didn’t even know it, she’s a cat in the dark looking for its prey. You didn’t realize that she’s a monster, she’s a demon, she’s everything you’re afraid of.” Definitely a bit unexpected for a 10-year-old, but looking back, it’s kind of funny. Without skipping a beat, my dad jumped on his drums, and I sang the lyrics into a microphone. From that moment on, I knew I wanted to be on stage. Throughout middle and high school, I participated in plays, talent shows, and choir, taking every opportunity to perform and express myself. Music is in my blood and songwriting is in my heart. I’ve always had a knack for catchy hooks and melodies, often coming up with new songs during family vacations or whenever I could, quietly humming them into my voice memos. It wasn’t until high school that I realized I could actually pursue music as a career.

I was inspired by an artist named Clairo, who was around my age, from the same city, and creating songs from her bedroom. With hits like Pretty Girl, she was having major success, and I wanted to be just like her. If she could do it, why couldn’t I? At the same time, I was taking music technology and guitar classes, and there were a few SoundCloud artists at my school putting out original music. This made me realize I could do the same. I bought the necessary equipment, started learning Ableton Live to mix and produce my tracks, and began releasing music under the artist name Lilac. When I first started out, my songs had a lo-fi pop vibe, and one of them, Jokers, still holds a special place in my heart. I’ve always loved how music can be paired with visual art, so I teamed up with an Atlanta-based videographer to create my first music video for the song. It felt like a big deal, my first real introduction to the world of music, like “Hey, look at me, I’m doing this artist thing!” That experience motivated me to keep pushing myself. I was determined to learn, find my voice, and grow as an artist. This eventually led me to choose Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, known for its strong focus on music. There, I gained a deeper understanding of the music industry and how to market myself as an artist.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s been a bit of a bumpy road. Growing up as a twin, I was never really alone. I always had someone by my side, whether it was during family events, at school, or in everyday life. But when I arrived at college in 2020, everything changed. Suddenly, I was overwhelmed by a sense of isolation, and adjusting to this new environment was tough. On top of that, the world was thrown into chaos by the Covid-19 pandemic, and I was also managing a long-distance relationship that my parents had difficulty with. Making friends was challenging, and my already small college felt even smaller, almost like summer camp. Despite all of this, I realized I could still be independent and make music on my own. I wrote, recorded, and created on my little laptop in my room, just like I had before. I kept releasing music, and one of my tracks, Bad for My Health, did particularly well. It earned the most streams I had ever received at that point in my career. I even made a music video for it by myself in my dorm, and it seemed to be a hit.

As my life continued to change, I remember playing my first writer’s round at Standard Proof Whiskey Co. in Nashville. It was a socially distanced show, and the energy just wasn’t the same. The connection to the audience felt off, and I started to feel a growing sense of anxiety. This made it difficult for me to collaborate in the ways I had hoped. I wasn’t reaching out to producers, playing many shows, or taking advantage of the opportunities right in front of me. I convinced myself I could handle everything on my own. When I entered my second year of college, things got especially challenging. I began questioning whether Belmont was the right place for me. I even applied to other schools and considered transferring. At the same time, I was dealing with serious mental health struggles, and everything seemed to come to a standstill. I had terrible writer’s block, stopped focusing on music altogether, and even took everything down from streaming platforms because it no longer felt like me. I wanted a fresh start, but I wasn’t sure where to begin.

Over the next two and a half years, I leaned into self-care: meditation, yoga, therapy, medication, and found strength in the support of friends who truly changed my life. Little by little, I began to rediscover myself. During this time, I started channeling all the pain and growth into my music. I had so much to express that the lyrics and melodies practically poured out of me. Now that I’ve come through those struggles, I finally feel ready to pursue my music career with the confidence I’d been missing for so long. I graduated with a degree in Media Entertainment and a minor in Music Business, and made the exciting decision to move to Nashville for the foreseeable future. Since then, I’ve been collaborating with incredible people and pouring my heart into the studio. Having produced my own tracks in the past, my experience with digital audio workstations has given me valuable insight into track building and production, which has made collaboration easier and more fulfilling. Nashville is full of talented, supportive people who lean on each other to create meaningful art. I’m thrilled to be here and incredibly proud of how far I’ve come.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m an independent artist based in Nashville, Tennessee, pursuing a career as a full-time musician. I primarily write alternative and indie pop music. My sound has been compared to artists like Faye Webster, Julia Jacklin, and Alice Phoebe Lou. Through my music, I explore themes like love, anxiety, self-reflection, and LGBTQ+ issues. My songs are deeply introspective, and I take pride in the vulnerability I bring to my songwriting. In January, I released my first song in four years, Hard to Believe, under the name, Ava Ware. The track reflects on the emotional challenges I faced in 2020, and it marks a really significant milestone for me. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see my music back on streaming platforms, especially with the response it’s received. Hard to Believe was featured on playlists like Dreamy Alt Pop and Alt Waves in Dystopia, which was so cool to see. I’m genuinely proud of that release.

Over the past year, I’ve also pushed myself creatively by stepping out of my comfort zone and exploring other genres. One of the highlights was collaborating with my friend and EDM artist STALEY on a track called Night (Beyond Life) and its remix, Night (Beyond Life) [VIP]. It was a fun and insightful experience that helped me discover new ways to use my voice. That growth has carried into my current projects. Right now, I’m working on a series of singles leading up to my upcoming six-track EP, which is set to come out this summer. My next single, Unfair, is dropping on May 9th. This one really reflects my passion for combining music and visual art to create something unique. From the production to the visuals, Unfair feels like a true representation of the creative direction I’m heading in. I’ve also been fortunate to work with some incredibly talented producers including Jack Shrepferman, Griffin White, and Jonathan Beard. They’ve helped me refine my sound and bring my songs to life. There’s so much music I’m excited to share, and I honestly can’t wait for people to hear what I’ve been working on.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
In addition to creating music, I’ve been focusing on sharing more of my journey on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Feel free to follow me there. I love giving people a behind-the-scenes look at the studio process and letting them get to know me not just through the music, but as an artist and a person. I’m also in the process of putting together a band so I can connect with listeners on a deeper level through live shows. Performing live has always felt like such an important part of the musical experience, and I’m really excited to bring these songs to life on stage. The road ahead feels exciting, and I’m giving it everything I have. I feel incredibly lucky to have the support of my peers, family, and friends. It truly means the world to me. I couldn’t do any of this without them. Go follow me on all streaming platforms and stream Hard to Believe!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.itsavaware.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ava_ware/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@avaware_
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/54wBvMgi4X5muLD2z9av1M?si=Es10vT8aRGmQFGVwCaEQQA