After emerging with a wondrous array of delights in recent years, emerging artist ævina has now returned to share the official video for her breakout single 'daily dose of danger'.
Exploring that rich and ethereal aesthetic she has earned a solid reputation for, 'daily dose of danger' marks one of her more emotive efforts to date. With its shimmering textures and her otherworldly voice at the helm, she is certainly looking to turn some heads with this mesmerising gem.
So with the new visuals doing the rounds right now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and what has been inspiring her most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Flute was my first love. There’s nothing like soaring over an orchestral backdrop with silly little arpeggios or welcoming hobbits home with a legato lullaby.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I’ll be honest, I was an emo child. My main obsessions growing up were MCR, Panic! At the Disco, and Evanescence. I also consumed catalogues of classic Broadway & choir content as a matter of course, being immersed in both my school + church’s’ musical + liturgical productions.
What was the first album you remember owning?
The earliest music I remember purchasing of my own volition was Christian rock along the lines of Hawk Nelson and Relient K. I was raised Protestant, which will become abundantly obvious / relevant in future releases.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Creep by Radiohead. I used to belt that baby out in the soundproof music rooms in my high school’s band wing (my safe space). Nothing like owning your inner creep and questioning your very existence to quell those existential throes.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Most of my songs come to me when I’m falling asleep or when I’m in transit. My brain needs to get into a calmer / more focused state than baseline in order to tap into my subconscious stream of poetry. If I had to pin down any particular rituals, I would say cleaning always helps. And channelling alien spirits, of course.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I've been diving into a lot of local music lately, and bands like The Fightscuffs and The New Time Machines have really caught my ear. Their subversion of expectations and unique take on storytelling resonates with me in a way that feels exciting and new. There’s something special about discovering talent within your own community, among other unexpected places.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Bo Burnham, hands down. I feel like his shows attract people who really listen to lyrics, and his blend of humour and vulnerability mirrors the kind of 'funny sad boi' content I often find myself writing. Plus, I’d love the opportunity to pick his brain between shows. He has a unique way of turning introspection into entertainment that I sincerely admire.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Transmuting pain into beauty. I feel like Rumpelstiltskin, spinning straw into gold. Also, recently, connecting with local musicians and being able to investigate their lyrics in real time. I’m a lyrics girlie - a good parsing / interpretation session lightssss me up.
And what is the most frustrating part?
The elitism. I feel like a lot of people look down on “easy” music (which I prefer to call “accessible”) (as if “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac isn’t a 2 chord song and a classic). Also the straight up misogyny masquerading as anything but. My day job is in construction and I find the misogyny in the music industry to be several times more toxic. I think that speaks for itself.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
“You are not an artist because you are good at art. You are an artist because you have good taste. Your job is to make your art match your taste.”
I struggle with perfectionism, which is part of what has held me back from releasing my music up until this point. Now I understand that imperfect art still holds value - it takes on a life of its own once it is shared and others can find inspiration or a new interpretation in it. We’re all on a journey of improvement, building on each other’s mistakes and masterpieces alike, and that’s a comforting thought.
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ævina's single 'daily dose of danger' is available to stream now. Check out the video in the player below.