Exclusive Interview: Avante Black Talk New Single “Make A Mess”, Band Name & Musical Inspirations!
We’re so happy to talk to you about Avante Black, and up-and-coming London-based indie-pop band. They already made a huge buzz last year with their single “Imaginary Love”, and this year it all points out that “Make A Mess” will be the Avante Black song with the biggest buzz (could be another they release later in the year but it’ll be tough to match the perfection of “Make A Mess”. Our current obsession!). Haven’t heard this song yet? Well, shame on you! But no worries. In fact, the music video for “Make A Mess” only premiered last week, and please, check it out below. It sees Avante Black frontwoman, Sweden’s Ottila, serving striking beauty and taking care of her enemies with her X-Men’s Cyclops-like super power!
Obsessed too? Told ya!
Avante Black’s combination of indie-pop distorted sounds and dreamy vocals courtesy of Miss Ottila is lethal.
Should they play their cards right, a brilliant career waits for them ahead for sure!
SO… now that you’re hooked on Avante Black. Here’s a little surprise. We’ve interviewed them! Well, not them, but lead vocalist Ottila. We chatted with her about the band’s conception, “Make A Mess” and the cool music video they shot for it, and Avante Black’s forthcoming projects. It’s a must-read!
THE INTERVIEW
Hi Ottilia! Where are you answering this Q&A from and how's your day been like so far?
In bed, been a long day working.
How did the band get the name of Avante Black?
From me wearing black t-shirts and kinda black anything. Our old keyboard player once asked "when are you gonna start wearing vantablack clothes?" as he just heard about this blackest colour of black. We had a play around with the word and Avante Black came out.
How did you all get together to start this project?
I had some songs I'd written and managed to record them. I was tired of just doing acoustic shows, felt lonely just me and the guitar and I wanted to see if I could get some people to play them with me. Dean was first up, getting to know him from playing with Various Cruelties. We bonded over Captain Beefheart and he liked my songs. We later found Emil and after a few months the circle was completed with Gabs.
What were some of your musical inspirations growing up?
Being from Sweden progressive music has always been something I grew up with. If you can't get your voice heard talking you could sing it and people would listen to your words in a different way. My dad loves the old blues like John Lee Hooker and my mum is a sucker for lyrics and would play me Leonard Cohen. I had times I learnt how to deserve wearing my Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath T-shirt. And later loving Weezer, Strokes and Tupac at the same time could make sense. It was all very confusing, but I guess that's what growing up is all about.
You recently released your latest single "Make a Mess". For those who have yet to check out the song, what are the lyrics about and how would you describe the sound of the song?
I went through my first proper break up, it's hard when love fades and you want to have a smooth transition to try to be friends but you need to be honest and straightforward. Might seem cruel, but it's fair. People grow apart and you just need to let that happen.
The music video is also out. What did you want to covey with the treatment and were there any fun anecdotes from the shooting of the video?
I wanted to portray myself into this cruel Godzilla on a BMX with laser eyes. Cause that's how I felt writing this song. Maybe not on a BMX, but hopefully people will know what I mean haha. We kept losing water bottles to the local strollers, but I guess they needed them more than we did.
Can we expect an EP or full length album from the band soon? Your fans are desperate for more new tunes!
Oh ya, definitely. Got some goodies in the bag and can't wait for you all to hear them!
You're playing many shows this spring and summer including Dot to Dot and Bushstock Festival. What's an Avante Black live experience like? What can concert goers expect?
I think we're quite intense and probably grungier than you'd expect. But also very cuddly.
What are your current top 5 songs on serious heavy rotation on your Spotify/Apple Music?
The only true way is probably the songs I play when I go home alone in an uber and that is
Weezer - Beverly Hills
Tupac - All about U
Abba - S.O.S
Black Sabbath- Planet Caravan
Strokes - Under Control
Thanks for this time! Any last thing you'd like to share with our readers?
DON'T ever let me DJ! And also hopefully catch you at a show!