Artist Spotlight: ava zarate

Shot by Kate Stills

Hailing from West London, Ava Zarate is a producer and singer-songwriter that has just released her new single O GIRL. The single marks a new chapter of music from Ava. Having previously drawn from a bossa nova-esque sound, the new single signifies a move towards an infusion of the indie pop and soulful trap genre. 

Produced alongside fellow artist Mom Tudie, love and conflicted emotions echo in the seamless ocean of sound that O GIRL emits. The track is a tranquil mixture of lo-fi soulful trap. Every burst of the tight drum loops mimic the racing, anxious, unsteady heartbeat that love often tirelessly and wilfully invites.

Ava evokes the very palpable; the all consuming loving, the longing, the wanting of you. The track melts into an oasis of yearning.

Yet despite such intense feeling, her airy voice is akin to a whispered breeze that acts as an antidote to our own losses.

We sat down with Ava to delve deeper into the song, and get to know her better.

What was the inspiration behind the song?

I think there are two main inspirations for this song. One is that I wanted to move my music in a new direction. What I have released in the past I am obviously proud of, but I don’t want to limit myself to it. I wanted to hear myself on a new sound. And the other inspiration is just what is going on in my head. O GIRL is a song about a mixture of emotions. Feelings of isolation, love, belonging, dependency are all mixed up together. A bit all over the place aha.

How would you describe your style?

That is such a hard question. It’s a fusion right now. Soulful trap. That’s how I would describe this song. I wish I could give one answer but my music is constantly changing. There is so much I want to create and so many genres I want to be involved in.

Can you tell me a bit about what it’s like to be a woman in the music and producing industry? 

Because I self-produce, I spend a lot of time alone, making things in my bedroom. I sometimes forget about the inequality of the music industry. Then I will step into a session in a studio and it’s all men. It’s frustrating how that’s the norm. I could moan about it for ages but I am trying to be positive and it is changing slowly.I am very proud to be a woman in music and I hope the more you see this around that it shows other girls that they can get involved and do it all themself!

In such a competitive industry, how do you plan to separate yourselves differently from the rest?

For every song that gets released, there is something unique about it. I don’t know how I can separate myself from the rest, I just know there is something new about what I do. If people find my music, are moved by it, have it on repeat, then I think I’m winning! 

Are there any other causes you’re passionate about, and do you try to project them in your music? 

I am passionate about a lot of things. In terms of what I project in my music, now this is going to be a stretch but I hope it promotes talking about your feelings. It’s a huge reach but I write in a confessional tone and I put a lot of my feelings just out there. It’s quite scary to be vulnerable like that but it’s exciting and what feels right to me. I hope some people feel what I am saying and feel less alone with some things. 

I know you’re a student at uni. What do you study, where do you go, and how do you manage to make time for your music alongside your studies?

I study Theatre at University of Bristol. A bit rogue but it is creative! It’s not just the studying that makes it hard to make time for music, it’s just the whole university lifestyle. It’s just constantly busy. Since the beginning of this second year, I haven’t had a lot of time to myself really and to make music. Music is always the priority. Everything else is second. You just get caught up with things but I am bored now and need to get back to my music!

What drives you?

Family. Friends. Fantasies big time. Also the need to write how I am feeling. Performing. Collaborating. Creating. Inspiring. These things all drive me but also I don’t feel driven all the time. Up and down sometimes.

What do you hope people will take away from the single?

This song is a very messy mixture of feelings. I wonder how people will relate to it and what meanings they will create from it. I also hope for people who have liked my music before that they will like this direction of sound I’m taking. 

What’s next for Ava Zarate?!

Loads! I promise loads! More music, playing gigs, music videos, merch, WORLD-WIDE TOURS ahahaha. Honestly I have no idea exactly what’s next but I am working on this as we speak.