The FIRST ever Super Sun Sunday with Chris Avetta
Before I get started, I want to share my idea behind this new series I am starting on the blog! It is called Super Sun Sunday ( thanks for the inspo Oprah, haha). So what is my vision for all of this? It is to highlight the independent go getters of our generation. They are the movers, makers and world changers. Some of these people that have been through hell and have created something beautiful out of it. aka, they grow through what they go through. An ability, I believe is essential to becoming your best self. Others have had a fire burning so bright, they decided to take a chance on themselves (a risk a lot of us aren't willing to take) and create the life they have always dreamed of… Ultimately turning their dreams into reality.
Some of these people will be my friends and some will be complete strangers. Regardless, these humans have overcome adversity, proved others wrong, have created beautiful things for all of us to learn from and be inspired by.. so here it goes, my FIRST ever SUPER SUN SUNDAY with the lovely and talented, Chris Avetta.
Chris and I have recently become friends over the past few years. She is a singer, songwriter and is such a caring and resilient human being. I am honored to share her journey with you all, and hope you all fall in love with her, just like I have! Chris and I met up and talked about her musical career, how she first started writing songs, mental health, traveling and how her life experiences shaped who she is today, and I am here to share that conversation with you all...so, without further ado, HERE WE GO.
Hi Chris, tell us a bit about yourself...
I am a nanny to two adorable girls, who light up my life. I also write my own songs and play locally in my free time. I am a coffee love and a huge fan of really good beer, (shoutout to Culture Brewing and Booze Bros)!!! I play a variety of instruments including the acoustic and electric guitar, the banjo and piano. I would say my musical influences are, The Staves, Aoife O’Donovan and Oh Wonder.
What got you into writing songs?
As a kid, I was always doing creative things, such as art, and painting. I had quite a tumultuous upbringing and music helped to combat feelings as I got older. The first boyfriend I has was when I was in high school. He was a guitarist and taught me how to play very, very casually. After that, I caught the musical bug and lived vicariously through my friends who already knew music inside and out. They were all reading sheet music and had been playing since they were 8. I didn't feel like I was as good as them, hence living vicariously through them. I finally asked my mom for a guitar when I was 14. It wasn't until that moment when I had my own instrument, that I started playing with a purpose and started thinking about writing my own songs.
Do you remember the first song you wrote? Can you take us through that process of how it came to be?
Hahahahha, yes I remember! The song is actually on my first album! It happened when I broke up with my ex-boyfriend. I was super upset I wouldn’t be able to hear his music again, so I picked up my own guitar and started to play his music. I played it perfectly, it was like I was listening to him play again. However, after a while of playing and allowing myself to musically explore, the song started to transform into something of my own. And that is how my first song came to be.
Who was your support when you were younger? Has it changed since you began?
When I was younger almost everyone told me to stop. I thought the louder I sang the better I sounded, so there was that. However, there were and still are people in my life who have stood by me regardless. In the beginning, my mom was a big support, she always encouraged me and bought me my first guitar. There was actually this one time I auditioned at a school play and I totally bombed it. I ended up sounding like an old woman and consequently, was cast as the old woman. The next day, at rehearsal, my true colors shone through and the teachers were astounded by what they heard. I was still shy, but I was slowly coming out of my shell.
Once I stopped hiding in the shadows, I was part of a band named, Dynagroove… which transformed into Rusty Lahar. Those two groups really supported me and the beginning stages of my musical career.
And then there are my good friends Krista, Kim and Ashlynn, who have been a constant support throughout the entirety of my musical career, in both the darkest and brightest days. Oh, and of course, Tiffany, my older sister, has been a fundamental human in my support system since day one.
Last but certainly not least, Milestone Stuido, Wesley Switzer, Lindsay White and Shane Shipley have all been INCREDIBLE in supporting me and my musical career since the day we met!
How was your marriage and divorce instrumental in the development in your musical career?
As you know, I have always wanted to play music and be part of the entire creative process of it. So when I met my husband, and he was willing to be my musical guide and teacher, I was elated. He taught me how to actually play the songs I would write in my head. Like how to take lyrics I wrote in my head, and how to then compose a song from start to finish with those lyrics in mind. It was a very important relationship in my musical career. But it wasn't a healthy one. He looked down on me a lot for being a beginner, and would get very frustrated with teaching me the ropes. He was supportive, but it definitely strained our relationship.
We ended up started a band together called Soleil. We wrote a bunch of songs and released an album named, Whiter Days. I sang, and he added all the instrumentals. And that was the first album I recorded.
After some time, we split up. It was devastating, but the right thing for both of us to do. I still wanted to be in the music scene and my past relationship had given me a bit more courage and insight into my talents. I started going to open mics with a bunch of other musicians that were starting out. We would all go to support each other and play our music! It was those nights in particular, that really helped me open up and blossom into the musician I am today.
Once I built up enough momentum for myself, I started to write my very own songs and really come into myself as a musician. I ran with this momentum and haven't stopped yet.
How do you feel when you hear/see people appreciating your music?
It means so much more than anyone can even know. It's like you hit the ground running, you're always working hard, always trying to do the next thing and be the best version of the last version you..all while trying survive as a normal human in today's world; and then one day a glimmer of appreciation, is shown and it really means more than anyone could know. It validates everything you’ve gone through and worked for when someone gives your art genuine attention. There is this one distinct memory that I will NEVER forget. I have this song, "Better" that ended up being in an Indie movie. And I marketed this show I was playing by promoting this song and this movie. Little did I know, I had some super fans out in the audience, that came to my show, because they heard the song in the movie and wanted to see me live so bad, they drove hours to come see me play. That moment when I realized I was doing something right.
Why is it better to play/write your own songs instead of playing songs you know people already love?
When you write your own songs, you are able to pull from memories, experiences and emotions that are so raw and real. You can share that authenticity with others and create something so unique to you and beautiful for others.
You've previously shared your journey navigating through mental health...how has music helped you ?
You know when you go to those really dark places where you feel like you’re not going to get out? When I was younger, nothing could help. I was more focused on just making it through high school and maybe go to college. But as I got older, I got into music and it helped me take all of those difficult emotions I had pushed down and it helped me begin to deal with them.
There is a video my friend shared with me that talks about when you are singing or even thinking about singing, your brain can connect logical pathways to the emotions that are hard to face and work through. That is why music is considered to be a therapy tool. It is cool to know that without counseling, I was able so “self-treat” and self soothe myself. Don’t get me wrong, I am not healed, but i’m better than I used to be. I am so grateful that I was able to access this incredible tool, to help me sort through my emotions and work through them.
You recently traveled abroad and played a few shows… tell us about that.
I recently traveled to Europe. Mainly around England, Ireland and Germany. The whole trips wasn't around music but I had the honor to play in the Ruby Sessions, in Dublin, alongside some pretty incredible and very talented people. Playing in Ireland was incredible. Like they genuinely appreciate the effort it takes to get to this point, and they show it by giving me their undivided attention. It's very different than playing in America, say on the street, or in a restaurant, where people are clinking glasses and having dinner. Personally I believe it makes you feel more like background music rather than a performer sharing their passion. This was an incredible trip, that helped me grow as a musician and as human being as well.
Wow!! What a journey you've had so far. I for one, LOVE your music. Where can we find you play locally?
You can find me playing every other Monday at the Kraken in Encinitas. I also play in the Backyard showcase at Booze Brothers, You can follow me on social media, or check my website, where I also post upcoming shows and information!
Well, that pretty much summed up our interview and needless to say, I feel like it was pretty awesome! I mean, yeah, I'm a little bias, but whatever, Chris is an amazing human, musician and I am so honored to have been able to start off this blog series by featuring her! She has definitely followed her dreams and has pursued something that sets her soul on fire. She has created something beautiful, raw and genuine for the world from the experiences that shape her. That takes courage, passion and an innate belief in ones self. I hope that she inspires you, as much as she inspires me!
Connect with Chris :
Instagram: @chrisavetta
Thank you for stopping by, as always && please please let me know what you think about this new blog series! Your feedback really helps and is sooo appreciated!
Much Love
xx
C