An Impactful Alt-Rock Single from Ava Rivello
A new single release from Ava Rivello delivers a robustly honest and beautifully performed soundscape that digs into some of her life experience, which she absolutely uses to display emotion and powerful overtones throughout the release.
Right off the bat, you can tell that Ava is not someone who holds back. She absolutely puts herself out there to the point where it feels almost like the song may have been cathartic for her to write and release.
It's got this certain kind of intensity that comes and goes. It gives the song the feeling of being alive and breathing. I really enjoyed this aspect of it simply because it pulled me into the song pretty deep.
This track blends a heavier alternative rock aspect with a lighter feel. During the verses there is a bit more of a spacious sound to it, and then, when it bursts into the chorus, electric guitars come in and things sort of explode.
During those parts things get more intense, of course. One of the things that really hit me about the chorus sections is that she comes up with these brilliant changes in melody that you don't really expect, so when those come along it's really quite elegant.
This is another aspect about the song that I really enjoyed. It's got a certain elegance to it. A lot of it comes from the flow of the instrumentation but also how she performs vocally.
She's got a natural ability to sound kind of emotional while she's singing, which of course works amazingly for this track, in particular.
The layers of guitars sound really good especially at the beginning of the track and during those verses because they feel sort of light and drifting, clean, but have a little bit of effects on them so that you can kind of float alongside them.
It's when the course comes in that everything really hits harder, and I feel like her vocal approach works great with the instruments as well because they complement each other strangely. She's got more of an intensity during those chorus sections, as that's what it calls for, but you also pay a lot of attention to the story behind everything.
This is definitely a bit of a love song and there are also certain aspects of sadness to it.
It feels like it's a song about someone who wants to be with another person but knows that it's not going to end the way they wanted to.
Or like the other person is slipping away somehow.
Meanwhile, she wants to know more about them, dig deeper, be more a part of that person and it feels like she just never wants to let go.
Again, it does have that feeling of melancholy. This is because although she's holding as tightly as she can, she knows it won't last forever.
This is definitely a sentiment that a lot of us know pretty well and she really articulates it beautifully on this track. It's complete poetry.
This is a single that absolutely thrives in terms of its messaging, personality, and honesty. I love a song that gives you this much depth and realism without really holding back.
She's really displaying a lot of that emotion right up in front and that is part of why the song comes through with the impact that it does.
The guitar work is outstanding, the drums are live and driving, and the whole thing just comes together with a bit of a closed fisted but again, very melodically thriving and emotionally flowing sense.
Combination of truth, character, and edginess really works beautifully here, and after you listen to the song you just want to see her performance live.
The song is called "hold me til I fall asleep", which in itself is a beautiful sentiment alone.
After listening to the single I wanted to chat with Ava about where it actually came from and more, so while you dig into this song, check out our interview with Ava Rivello below.
Whatever you do, don't miss this track because I'm sure it will have an effect on you one way or another.
This felt kind of personal. What was the song about? Why did you write this one?
It definitely comes from a real place. I wrote "Hold Me Till I Fall Asleep" during a time when I was struggling with a relationship where I really loved the person. But while I was writing it I knew I couldn’t stay in the relationship because it was toxic. I really wanted this relationship to work, but I knew deep down it wasn’t going to. We both needed to better ourselves and it wasn’t going to happen together. Writing this song helped me process those feelings, and I hope it can do the same for someone listening.
I can hear this heavy-handed alt-rock influence! Who are some of your bigger musical influences?
I've always loved artists who aren't afraid to mix vulnerability with powerful music. Paramore has been one of my biggest influences because Haley Williams makes emotional songs that still hit hard instrumentally. I also grew up listening to Pierce the Veil, Staind, Backseat Lovers, and even artists like Bruno Mars. They're all very different, but I've learned something from each of them. I love writing songs that feel emotional but still have the energy of rock behind them.
You recorded this at Studio City Sound, which is quite the legendary spot! Was this exciting? What was it like?
It was an incredible experience. Walking into a studio with that much history definitely gives you perspective. At the same time, once we started recording, all of that faded away because the focus became making the best song we possibly could. It was inspiring to work in a place where so many great artists have recorded, and it pushed me to give everything I had to the performance.
Are you planning any live performances as of right now?
Absolutely. I recently had the opportunity to perform an acoustic set and interview at the IHeart Radio Maybelline Lounge in New York City, which was an amazing experience. I'm looking forward to bringing "Hold Me Till I Fall Asleep" to more audiences because I think this song takes on a different kind of emotion when it's performed live.
Do you have plans for more music on the horizon?
Definitely. "Hold Me Till I Fall Asleep" is part of a larger body of work I'm really excited about. I have another original song, "Closer to Dead," coming soon, and together these songs tell different parts of the same emotional journey. I can't wait for people to hear what's next.
When did making music start for you?
I've loved music for as long as I can remember. I started singing when I was really young, picked up the guitar around eight or nine years old, and later taught myself piano and drums. What started as something I loved eventually became the way I understood myself and expressed things I couldn't always put into words.
Do you find you draw from personal experience when writing music?
Always. I don't think I'd know how to write any other way. Every song starts with something I've experienced or genuinely felt. Even if someone hasn't lived the exact same story, I hope they can still connect with the emotions behind it.
Are you performing anything else on this track along with the vocals?
My primary role on this song is lead vocals, but I'm involved throughout the creative process. I write my lyrics, collaborate on melodies, and work closely with my producer to shape the overall sound. I enjoy being involved from the first idea all the way through the finished record because it helps make every song feel authentic to me.
What would you want to say to fans of the music?
I hope this song reminds people that they don't have to carry everything by themselves. If someone listens to "Hold Me Till I Fall Asleep" and feels understood, even for a few minutes, then it has done exactly what I hoped it would. Thank you for taking the time to listen and for being part of this journey with me.
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