23 Feb Say His Name and Don’t Forget It: AVAION

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Say His Name and Don’t Forget It: AVAION

By Robb Ess

*This interview is older and was in our Issue 64 magazine.

AVAION, one of the industry’s best kept secret emerging artists who is now blowing up the airwaves with his newest and soul-dizzying track “Love Again,” started composing songs at the ripe age of nine in his home country of Germany.

Transcending the dance music industry, his melancholic inflections punctuate his vocal tracks and reverberate against the deep, unique basslines and beats that he is revered for with fans and his ever-expanding audience.

A multi-instrumentalist, AVAION doesn’t compromise on the quality of work and is constantly seeking ways to better himself and hone his craft. With an unmatched work ethic and go-getter mentality, AVAION ditched his smoking habits and overcame a crippling anxiety disorder. Having tried out future house, pop, dubstep, and others, his experimentation of these stylistic genres has made him who he is today.

Hyper-aware of mental fitness and the emotional intelligence of people, AVAION is able to connect with listeners on a personal and uplifting level through catchy, dance tracks. Truly original, he is unapologetically himself and his music doesn’t hold back his vulnerabilities and desires.

I recently discussed his pivotal and defining career moments, newest release, favorite snacks, rituals in the studio, dream collaborations, and much more during this riveting interview. This is AVAION.

What was life like growing up in Germany and what is an interesting childhood memory that sparks a lot of joy for you still today?

I had a wonderful childhood in Germany. I grew up in the middle of the city in a promenade. My grandmother lived right next door to us. My best friends lived on the same street. During summer days, I went out and rang my friends’ doorbells, picked them up, and then we went to the park all day, which was right next to our street. It was like a wonderland. Everyone knew everyone and everyone was friends with each other. It was a beautiful way to grow up and I am very grateful for it.

What was the pivotal moment in your life when you realized you wanted to pursue music as a career?

Since I was little I knew that music was my passion and I wanted to make it my career. I fell in love with composing songs and already at the age of nine, I gave piano concerts with my own written pieces in our local church.

What is one specific song that changed you and triggered your passion for wanting to produce music?

“Fucked up” was the first song where I used my own vocals. It was kind of an experiment without any expectations. It really worked and people liked it so this was like the beginning of the whole concept with me writing the song, producing, and putting my own vocals on it. My song “You” was the one that changed my style to what I am today. This style is 100% me and I really like what I’m doing now.

How do you prepare your voice before you record your vocal takes and what has helped you the most to strengthen your vocal cords?

For high vocal parts, I always put tea with honey in the studio and take a sip before each recording. This helps a lot to keep the voice smooth. Other than that, I don’t really have a specific method to train my voice. What has helped the most is that I quit smoking a year ago. My voice thanks me for that.

What is your favorite go-to snack and drink while you’re working in the studio?

I always prepare myself a large chamomile tea with a little lemon or honey. In addition, I always have a can of snus standing around in the studio. If these two things are there, nothing can go wrong.

What hardware and software do you use the most to create music? Do you ever use Splice and if so, how has it helped your creative process?

My studio is very minimalistic. I do most of it via software and plugins, but I almost always use my midi keyboard (AKAI MPK 249) for chords, or my guitar via the interface for recording. I am a huge fan of Splice and use it almost all the time. It really fastened up my workflow with percussion patterns, kicks, and melody ideas.

What was the inspiration behind your track “Love Again”?

“Love Again” is about the fact that failed love with one person does not mean that it would be the same with another — that you can fall in love again and everything can be different. It is a story from my own life in which I want to come to terms with the fact that bad experiences with one person do not mean that it will be the same with another person. I had to learn that.

The video for “Love Again” features you among natural elements in life switching between an edited built environment mixing bright and bold color hues while incorporating water and fire. How does this relate to your emotions or the meaning behind the song?

The different elements in the video were intentional. For example, the scene where I was standing in the burning room, but not burning. With this, I wanted to clarify that you have to learn to finish with the toxicity of the person from the past and realize it can no longer harm you. At the same time, the burning of a person can be something positive for you. You just have to be able to conclude and allow something new.

Your singles including “Love Again” fit into themes of loneliness, acceptance, moving on, and freedom. How has one of these themes shown up in your life? What happened?

The point “moving on” is the most important one here. As I mentioned above, these are stories from my life that I process in the songs. The most important thing that I have already learned from them is moving on.

What are the factors that go into you deciding if you want to pitch your song to the YouTube distribution channel MrSuicideSheep as you did for your tracks “Love Again” and “Pieces”?

I try to take every additional support opportunity and I am very happy that channels like MrSuicideSheep and Selected support my songs on their channels. This brings more reach and that makes me very happy.

Your trademark sound is melancholic and it seamlessly combines a variety of genres like house, electro, pop, and acoustic. What led you to find your sound and how did you ultimately land on it?

The various genre elements emerged over time. I had a lot of acoustic influence as a child through the instruments I learned. In my producer time, I had tried out styles from future house to pop and dubstep. All of these stages of my artistic existence have made me what I am today. I have taken different parts from all genres and created something new. I want to impose my own style as a new one and so far it works very well.

What music genres interest you outside of your signature sound and when do you typically enjoy listening to them?

Privately, I listen to a lot of different genres. That inspires me. I listen to a lot of American or German rap, jazz, and pop, but also riddim dubstep. The shows of Colors Berlin inspire me the most. I love their Youtube channel and the diverse artists that perform there.

How do you stay motivated? What specifically keeps you going?

I have set for myself high goals I want to achieve. This is my motivation and I will be satisfied only when they are achieved. Fan feedback is also a very big motivation. I reply to all messages and I am always very happy when people write to me about how much my music means to them; that my music has helped them in a difficult time. That is one of the best motivations.

What has been the biggest challenge with your music career or your personal life this past year and how did you overcome it?

A lot has happened this year, but it went super well. Some things I dreamed of, I have achieved this year which makes me very happy. Of course, I have also invested much more time in music, which made the private life a little more difficult especially with the whole Covid-19 situation. We will get through this. As soon as the virus is over, I will play as many shows as possible.

What do you do to keep yourself mentally fit and in a good mindset?

I struggled with an anxiety disorder that lasted for several years. That was a very hard time. I got through this by being as productive as possible, which calmed me down inside and taught me to not waste time, but to use it wisely.

I also started doing a little more exercise which helped me mentally a lot. If anyone is reading this who is going through the same thing: it gets better. Sleep enough, get up early, do sports, do what you love, believe in your dreams, and do something about it.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned as an artist so far in your career?

Do not try to copy anyone. Find your own style and your own vibe. It can be very stressful to focus too much on the “trend sound”. Don’t get me wrong, it’s good to keep your sound idols and try to get to that sound level and get inspired but, don’t try to be a second version. Instead, take those skills and put them into your own style. Do what you love and stand by it.

Are you interested in collaborating with other musicians or do you prefer to work alone? Who would be a dream come true collaboration?

Yes, I am absolutely interested in working with other artists. One of my dream collabos: Joji, Kaytranada, Goldlink, Diplo, MuraMasa, Meduza…. the list is long. Haha!

What are you focused on growing and improving upon the most as it relates to your music career?

I focus on establishing my own style and shaping the music industry with it. I want to leave a footprint that will not be forgotten and change people’s lives for the better by letting them know they are not alone.