Conversations with Samantha Ava

Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Ava

Hi Samantha, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I had a humble upbringing with my parents and my three brothers residing outside of a small town named ‘Cayuga’ located in Southern Ontario, Canada. Growing up, us kids all embraced the gift of music to some capacity. I sang and danced all day every day, no doubt I drove my parents crazy at times. With a little inspiration from my eldest brother, I picked my first strings at eight years old. I still remember that day and how big, heavy and awkward that Jasmine acoustic felt on my lap, leaving it’s in print on my thigh and the tips of my fingers so sore. Yet something still felt so right holding onto it… so i never let go.

I first mastered some of my favourite covers “Smells like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana, “Damn it” by Blink 182 & “Change” by Blind Melon to name a few. Thanks to my older brothers, a lot of my early musical influences came from the 90’s Grunge and Alternative scene. My Mom loved Classic Rock and last but not least my Dad introduced me to my one true love “Country music”. To this day as an artist ‘Samantha Ava’ my musical genre is Rock-Country, infused with 90’s vibes…it’s pretty neat.

My later teen years were difficult and came with many personal struggles and hurdles to overcome. I lost myself to extreme measures, to say the least. The outgoing musical being this girl once was, had become withdrawn and struggled with socialization, not mentioning the thought of stepping onto a stage would send me into a full on panic attack. I was at a crossroad, without a clue of how to start the process of a new beginning or which direction I should head in. I picked up my guitar again and found myself making melodies and singing random thoughts out loud while driving, working or at my kitchen sink. I began to feel a spark and would write it all down, then try and piece the lyrics to the melody I had been messing around with. Playing and writing became my safe space where i could be myself and unload my thoughts, visions and dreams, without a third party invite.

I became consumed by my passion for writing and wrote many many terrible songs. I swear I spent 7 years sitting on my bed and just writing. It’s a struggle and a journey but a beautiful one. I wouldn’t trade the hours I spent alone writing and singing to those 4 walls. It helped to shape me as an individual and a songwriter. I never shared much in the early days, I had created this deep and emotional bond with my music, it was personal and intimate. Not to mention I also had developed severe anxiety that was terrifying to overcome. I enjoyed feeling the rush every time I finished writing a song and with steadfast determination, I was going to get to that “good one”. And I did.

Once I felt confident enough in myself, my writing and my sound. I stepped out into the Niagara music scene and hit all the local open mics. Which quickly evolved to booking solo shows, to having audiences asking “Do you have a band? Because if i did it would be ELECTRIC & so ALIVE!” It took me a minute to find the right fit, when i say a minute I really mean 5 years. Once i did…not only did my music become electric and full of life, but so did I! After years of digging and healing, I had found myself again and in a new and completely improved form.

I found myself for quite some time wanting to head south and experience Nashville, TN. I loved Country Music to no end and had heard that all of the best songwriters are down in Music City. So naturally, I followed my “True North” and headed South! I no longer struggled with my place or purpose. I knew I had a God given gift and it was my responsibility to share it with the world to the best of my ability.

A friend from Niagara had a cool basement studio. I recorded a demo there, before departing on my first trip. We had laid three of my top tracks at the time. Three of my not so great tracks to date now, but I was so proud. I had fallen in love like never before landing in Tennessee. It was in the water, air and legit everywhere a songwriters haven. I was intoxicated by the endless amount of inspiration that surrounded me and I especially embraced the diversity in the songwriters and musicians. I played my very first open mic in town at ‘The Commodore Grille’ landing my live performance on Nashville Radio…beginners luck! And then I played another open mic and a hell of a lot more after that in Music City. The city was welcoming of me as I am and accepting of my talent, it quickly became my second home.

I began travelling back and forth from Canada to Tennessee more frequently and chasing down the idea to uproot and head South with prayers of landing a full time gig as a writer with a publishing deal and continue to nourish my talents as an artist. I have independently released 6 singles an EP “The Dig”. The first official release “Seventeen”, hit #1 on many indie charts including internationally standing strong for several weeks. “The Dig” was produced by the exceptional Nashville-based producer, Shannon McArthur, who is well known for his work with bands such as Dashboard Confessional and Adam Duritz (Counting Crows). The songs “I am the night” and “Seventeen” were produced by Juno winning Producers Darren Magierowski and Jill Zimmerman (City and Colour, July Talk). My next single “Secret” I’ve co-written with Nashville based songwriter Michael Saleta and songwriter/artist/producer Charles Austin is set to be released early this spring. Charles will be producing the single as well. Followed by a hot summer release ‘Tease’.

They call it the “10 year town”, next year marks the ten year anniversary since i first set my sights on Nashville. I am grateful and blessed to have experienced all of the heartaches and the trials along the way that made me the songwriter I am today. Without it, would I even have a song? Now I get to embrace all I have ever dreamt coming to fruition working, travelling & living between Canada and Tennessee. Well on my way to Nashville becoming my forever home.

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?
One of the biggest challenges I found was having the patience while my writing was evolving. Pushing through when I wasn’t great and practicing to get better and better.

The obstacle is navigating the music industry, there is so much to know and having an understanding of the business. And which direction to take is not easy, yet so important.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a Songwriter, Artist ‘Samantha Ava’ & I also teach music privately. I am most proud of my willingness to stay authentic and true to my style and sound as an Artist. Vocally I stand out, my voice is deep and sultry with a bit of grit. I have clever and one of a kind melodies with very descriptive lyrics that paint the visual for the listener well.

As a songwriter I feel I bring a unique and fresh vibe to my writing and co-writes. I have a lot of fun in my co writes & I can be a perfectionist when writing, but it’s only for the good of the song.

Teaching music, I specialize in vocals, guitar, ukelele and songwriting technique. I love to teach all ages and explore how different minds learn.

How do you think about luck?
I don’t believe in luck. I believe in aligning my energy and doing the internal and external work to earn what I manifest. I feel like everything happens for a reason.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://samanthaava.com
• Instagram: @samanthaavamusic
• Facebook: samantha4avamusic
• Youtube: @samanthaavamusic