CREATOR SPOTLIGHT: Aviella
AVIELLA
(She/Her)
Singer, Songwriter
Aviella is a singer/songwriter based in Los Angeles, hailing from upstate New York. She has worked on over 50 collaborations and features with industry-leading artists including Steve Aoki, Afrojack, ACRAZE, Slushii, QUIX, ARMNHMR, Barclay Crenshaw (Claude Von Stroke), MYRNE, and many others. Her feature on “Inspiration” with Unknown Brain has close to 50 Million plays across Spotify & YouTube and her collaborations with Pixel Terror and Slushii have been featured in popular video games Rocket League & Fortnite - with 600+ million combined players.
Aviella is one of the most in-demand rising topliners in dance music, performing at legendary venues including Madison Square Garden, The Roxy, Avalon Hollywood, Academy LA, The Shrine, Exchange LA, and festivals EDC Las Vegas, Escape Halloween, Nocturnal Wonderland, Big Adventure & OMFG NYE.
Aviella signed her own solo project to Steve Aoki’s Dim Mak Records in 2020, releasing singles “Lean”, “Ain’t Too Late”, and “tell me what you’re thinking” - the latter reaching #1 Billboard Dance/Mixshow Airplay Chart and #1 US Dance Radio charts.
Introduce yourself. Tell us who you are and what you do. Give us an overview of your career so far. (If possible, include some career highs and lows.) Give us a brief description of what daily life looks like for you
I’m Aviella and I’m a singer/songwriter/musician & creative! I’ve always known that music would be my lifelong passion. Growing up in Upstate New York, I started performing my own solo shows (at age 9) volunteering at fundraisers, hospitals and nursing homes - and right before my move to California, I was presented with a proclamation and a day named after me in NYS. I begged my parents to move to CA when I was really young so that I could make my dreams a reality! They uprooted everything (as well as my 2 younger sisters) and moved to California 13 years ago to pursue my passion of music.
Daily life for me consists of songwriting sessions, brainstorming & creating social media content, and performing! I’m currently working on my next project so I’ve been very involved in that process at the moment.
2. Tell us about your creative process. What works best for you? Have you experienced writer’s block, imposter syndrome, procrastination, perfectionism, self-doubt, or self-limiting beliefs? How did you overcome them
I find inspiration in EVERYTHING!!!! I keep a “songwriting fuel” note in my phone, and add to it often. When I start the writing process, I like to sort through those concepts and find an idea that best fits the vibe for the songwriting session depending on what my co-writers feel the most pulled towards! For me, I think continuing to be curious keeps me so enthusiastic. I’m always thinking of the next goal to accomplish and always open to learning new things!
3. If comfortable sharing, tell us how you’ve previously struggled with your mental health. (Have you experienced anxiety, depression, a learning disability, ADHD, bipolar disorder? Or have you experienced adversity with your gender, sexuality, race?) What other challenges have you faced as a creative?
I’m a big advocate for mental health. I struggle with anxiety as so many others do.
As far as adversity with my gender, as a female in music, being heard and having equal power has been a struggle of mine in the past. However, I feel like the “girl power” in music is continuing to grow and I’m really hopeful to see the tides changing!
As a creative, one of my biggest challenges is having SO many ideas and trying my best to create with a “DIY” budget. I create a lot on my own; I make moodboards, film a lot of my own content, put together my own styling/fashion, and really have a big part in all of my creative production.
4. Tell us what you did (or continue to do) to cope with these challenges. Tell us some of the best strategies that have helped you overcome these struggles.
I always try to keep a positive mindset and remind myself to take one day at a time! I think it’s so important to be in the moment and appreciate everything as it comes.
5. Are there any other art forms, hobbies, or interests you engage in to help restore your creative energy? What nurtures your soul? Any creative activities that recharge you?
Some of my special hobbies and interests that help restore and recharge my creative energy are painting, making butterfly art, and cooking...I love spending quality time with my loved ones. I also have a hairless cat child who is my whole world. One of my favorite things ever is to be cuddled up with her and a good book. In addition to all of this, I really love being on stage…performing nurtures my soul to the highest degree!!!!
6. What do you do for your self-care? Share any specific strategies, habits, or techniques that you find effective in improving your mental, emotional, physical, or spiritual self-care.
I have a large framed photo in my bathroom with positive affirmations that I see every day, which I love. I usually start my day slowly, with not a lot of screen time (except for a “good morning” text to the ppl I love & a facetime with my mom of course lol) and listening to soft jazz music while I make my breakfast. I also really enjoy a nice hot shower with a relaxing lavender shower fizz!
7. What’s one piece of self-care advice you would give to a person just starting out in a creative career?
I think the quote “the only thing to be afraid of is fear itself” holds SO true for creatives. Taking chances and risks is so imperative for creativity and growth!!!
8. Anything else you would love your audience to know or to know about you?
I’m so incredibly grateful to be able to share my music with the world in a way that impacts others' lives; to inspire, to help cope with hard times, to make people dance, share memorable times together & have fun, etc….this is the most meaningful ever!
9. Do you consider yourself an empath or highly sensitive person?
I definitely consider myself an empath. I feel things so deeply!
@aviellamusic on all socials
