The Roses: CD
Ava's 4th studio album, recorded in February 2020 at the Henhouse Studio in Nashville, TN. Produced by JT Nero.
Before finishing high school, singer-songwriter Ava Earl has checked off many life dreams - opening for Maggie Rogers, playing music festival main stages, getting recruited to run for Northwestern University, and releasing her fourth album, The Roses, released July 23, 2021. Having written hundreds of songs and performing on nearly as many stages, her creative output outpaces her years. She’s a person in perpetual motion, the finish line never quite crossed and the last note never quite hit. Her momentum, in step and song, doesn’t let down. “I’m addicted to writing songs. I don’t think I could stop if I wanted to” It’s the same with running, which in tandem, provides a cathartic release that allows her to sing about self-realizations and feelings that for many–no matter the age–are buried deep within one’s psyche.
Ava’s story is set in Alaska where she calls idyllic ice-capped Girdwood her home. She reflects on her earliest memories when she was encouraged to pick an instrument. She started out with the flute before finding her way into guitar. “The flute was the only thing I’ve ever quit!” Quitting doesn’t come easily for Ava.
But she stuck with guitar which has been the second voice by her side from her first recorded album of original songs at age 12, followed by increasingly polished albums over the next several years. The Roses is a continuation of this continuous thirst for music, expression, and lyrical wonderlands. The album, in its 10 track entirety, weaves through vulnerability with poignant passional lines like “sing me the song you sang me long ago / I didn’t know the words, so you told me” (“Do You Know Me By My Name”) and poetry sprinkled throughout, “She’s a flower, orange petals / she blooms in the sunlight” (“The Roses”). The songs and arrangements of harmonies, pedal steel, violin, and Earl’s guitar, dip into wonderment and aural escape, the words of someone who has evolved from shyness to emboldened maturity.
“I used to be really shy, I didn’t even look at my guitar teacher initially, poor woman!” This is surprising for the Ava we hear now, who approaches her favorite bands and sings about ex boyfriends, letting us know all about them between songs. She remembers when she started out at open mics, and listened in wonderment at musicians whose banter was deeply personal, never thinking years later she would be talking about getting dumped, and finding the fun and power in storytelling. “I’ve found the joy in self acceptance to say whatever I want, and I’m still learning how best to do that.”
Statements, sharing, and at times “oversharing,” have evolved into a voice that fearlessly speaks out. Ava recently joined The Anchorage Youth Vote, where she engages in civic engagement and awareness campaigns, like putting together a PSA about the Equal Rights Amendment. Compelled to use her voice to talk about issues Ava is unafraid of singing about disparities and topics that veer into the political, “Oh, you foolish man / You think you run the earth / Because your tired Hands / Have made castles from the dirt.” (“Up Here In The Sky”) She explores these narratives while discovering her own truths.
In terms of the ambient sounds that tuned Ava’s ear, Ingrid Michaelson’s Be OK has consistently been a favorite album, along the voices of Fiona Apple, Laura Marling, Elliott Smith, Ben Folds, and Taylor Swift. Earl has always been drawn to powerful lyrical storytellers, which has weaved into her own lyrical consciousness. Endlessly inspired by and propelled by community found through music, Ava has always put herself in spaces to find and nurture that inter-musical connection and camaraderie. She first experienced this warmth at the Under-21 open Mic in Anchorage, a space that has held emotional importance where she recalls getting her performance jitters out early on and making friends with other young singer-songwriters. It’s the confidence that she developed on that stage that prompted her to approach musicians at merch tables after shows, like JT Nero and Allison Russell of the Birds of Chicago, one of Earl’s favorite bands. When Ava was at the top of the line, an Alaska local told JT and Alli, “You should know about her!” pointing to Ava. This little comment spurred a musical mentorship - Ava has now been sending her music to The Birds for years. Always impressed by her talent, the day came when JT proposed the idea to produce her next album, which would become The Roses.
JT provides insight on the album’s inception, “Just before the world turned upside down, Ava traveled some 4,000 miles to Nashville to record a new album. Over the course of three days, "The Roses" was born. This song suite is another leap forward for the “veteran” 17-year-old, revealing a melodic intuition that places her in a lineage with Carole King, Joni Michell, and Laura Nyro — women whose emotional wisdom and voices rang true in turbulent times. Ava is just getting started, but The Roses gives us a glimpse of a young writer, singer, and player stepping into her full powers. It was thrilling to witness, and it’ll be a joy to see this music make its way in the world. Look out!
With the release of The Roses, Earl feels a strong fervor and assurance while still building on her path of self-discovery. And now, with a sense of spunk, she has no problem telling you who she is and why you should listen. “Hey everyone, pre-save my new song” she chimes during a track warm-up. “Why would you self-promote like that?” a teammate challenges. She laughs, “why would I NOT self-promote like that. Of course I’ll self-promote, so pre-save my song, Griffin.” And he did.
This winter/spring, Ava is busy studying and running at Northwestern University. But good things are coming—including new music—so check back soon for summer tour dates! If you are interested in bookings, contact Denis Grabill at Black Oak Artists.
The Daily Northwestern
January 2023: A conversation with Ava Earl, Northwestern singer-songwriter and romantic
North by Northwestern
June 2022: Ava Earl: The New Sound of Music
The Daily Northwestern
May 2022: Singer-songwriter Ava Earl learns to smell the roses with her latest album
Americana UK
August 2021: Album Review: Ava Earl "The Roses"
WUSB 90.1 FM, Stony Brook NY
December 2021: DJ and Editor Album Picks for 2021
Holler.
July 2021: Staff Picks Album Review: Ava Earl - The Roses
Anchorage Daily News
July 2021: Six female artists from Alaska to add to your summer playlist
The Bluegrass Situation
July 2021: LISTEN: AVA EARL, “NEW LIGHT”
Holler.
July 2021: New Artist of the Week: Ava Earl
American Songwriter
July 2021: Daily Discovery: Ava Earl Sets Patriarchy On Fire With “Chaos”
Anchorage Press
July 2021: Ava Earl: A Story of Americana
Underground Music Collective
July 2021: Premiere: Ava Earl releases Title Track from "The Roses"
Amplify Music Magazine
June 2021: PREMIERE // AVA EARL’s single/music video for ‘Mountain Song’
Red Line Roots
May 2021: Singled Out: Ava Earl "Springtime"
Underground Music Collective
May 2021: Premiere: Ava Earl Enchants us with 'Cimorene'
Guitar Girl Magazine
April 2021: Young Singer-songwriter from Alaska, Ava Earl, On Her New Single “Forever Girl”
The Boot
April 2021: Ava Earl Isn’t Your ‘Forever Girl’ in New Song [Exclusive Premiere]
Anchorage Daily News
May 2020: AK Quarantunes: Ava Earl performs 'All the Promises'
Anchorage Press
Feb 2020: Ava Earl: A Story of Alaskana | Meet Ava Earl | A Look Back: Ava Earl's Am I Me Yet?
Live at EXT | WEXT Radio
June 2022: Ava Earl is Running for the Roses
Sound Source Podcast (The Daily Northwestern)
May 2022: Deep Dive: Ava Earl
Songsurfing Podcast (Chicago)
October 2021: Episode 24: music by Theory of Why, Sugar House, Ava Earl, Sick Day, Salvatge Cor, and BEAU SEJØUR
Country Pocket WUSB
August 2021: Ava Earl "The Roses Interview"
Alaska Teen Media Institute (Anchorage)
July 2021: Zoom Room: Episode 20 - Singer/Songwriter Ava Earl
Ava's 4th studio album, recorded in February 2020 at the Henhouse Studio in Nashville, TN. Produced by JT Nero.
Ava's 3rd studio album, recorded at the Hallowed Halls studio in Portland, OR. Co-produced by Hawkins Wright and Ava Earl.
Ava's first studio album, recorded at the Hallowed Halls studio in Portland, OR. Co-produced by Hawkins Wright and Ava Earl.
"The Roses" album art on your shirt! All options are Bella Canvas unisex.
Hand-embossed "The Roses" notebooks for writing down your songs, stories, or secrets. Each one is unique and will include a note to you from Ava!
4" die-cut "The Roses" stickers that your water bottle needs! Get two for $5.
Management:
Abbie Duquette | Loudmouth Management | abbie@loudmouthmgmt.com
Booking:
Denis Grabill | Black Oak Artists | denis@blackoakartists.com