Interview by Roman Portnoy
Photography by Carly Jean Sharp
Styling by Erica Mer
Make-up & Hair by Phoebe Dawson
Bracelet – Cartier @cartier
AVA MAYBEE IS A SINGER-SONGWRITER FROM LOS ANGELES AND HAS BEEN SINGING AND PERFORMING SINCE THE AGE OF FIVE. SHE IS CURRENTLY A JUNIOR AT NYU.
How excited are you to release your new single “Puke”?
I am so excited that it’s finally out!
What was it like competing on American Idol?
Competing on Idol was incredible. I feel like a much stronger performer because of it.
What kind of singer would you classify yourself as?
That’s a great question. I guess the technical term for my voice is a contralto. That’s the lowest possible voice a female can have.
Shoes – No Name / @nonameshoes
Bracelets – Amorcito / @amorcito_jewerly + Cartier @cartier
Who were your three biggest role models growing up?
My three biggest role models growing up were my mom, my papa, and my elementary school music teacher Ellen.
What or who influenced you to pursue a singing career?
I have always loved to perform so I guess I sort of influenced myself to do it. My family has been so incredibly supportive of my choice to pursue music but they would have supported me to be anything I wanted. I’m very lucky.
Did your father (Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers) offer you any advice about the record business? And if so, what was it?
My dad recently just played drums on my new track “Puke” but other than that, I keep my music pretty separate from him. We both are huge fans of music in general!
Bracelet – Cartier @cartier
What is your typical songwriting process?
Typically I will come into a session with an idea of something I want to write about and my producer starts with a four-chord progression, I hum a melody over that, and then the lyrics follow.
Who would you love to collaborate with on a song?
Remi Wolf, hands down!
What’s the most difficult aspect of being a musician?
The most difficult aspect of being a musician for me is self-doubt. If you don’t believe in yourself and your art, how will anyone else? I always make sure to remind myself of how far I’ve come and how proud of myself I should be!
Shoes – No Name / @nonameshoes
Bracelets – Amorcito / @amorcito_jewerly + Cartier @cartier
What are your favorite hobbies outside of singing?
I love to read and thrift!
What advice can you give aspiring musicians?
I would say be yourself. The industry is so saturated at the moment but if authentically yourself, there will always be room for everyone.
When will your new album be released?
I graduate from NYU Clive Davis in May, and then I will be spending all summer making my first EP! I’m super excited to release it after that.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
