Back in December, 360 spotlighted singer/songwriter Ava Della Pietra’s beautiful and uplifting holiday song “Christmas Tonight,” saying it had “all the ingredients of a Christmas classic.” The preternaturally accomplished young artist began performing at age four and writing songs at age five, before starring in the original Broadway cast of School of Rock. “Christmas Tonight” saw a big response, with Tiger Beat Magazine calling it “one of the best holiday songs of 2019” and Newsday calling Ava a “rising star.”
Now, on the heels of that success, Ava is releasing her next single, “Optimist,” an inspiring new song about keeping a positive mindset. The song is one of forty that Ava has written, and one of ten already produced, to be featured on her debut EP, slated for release later this year. “I wrote ‘Optimist’ because there are a lot of problems that face society today,” she told American Songwriter. “No matter how hard it gets, we need to realize that we are one community, and together, we can have hope for a better future. With all the adversity, we must take action, rise above, and know that we will be alright. We all need a little optimism right now.” Listen to “Optimist” here.
We spoke to Ava about the inspiration behind “Optimist,” how she stays positive, and her plans for the rest of 2020.
360: Ava, thank you for chatting with us! Can you tell us a little more about “Optimist”? What inspired you to release it during this challenging time?
Ava Della Pietra: Of course! “Optimist” is all about overlooking the negatives and focusing on the positive aspects of everyday life, and just being hopeful. I think optimism is especially important during times like these, when people are experiencing a lot of frightening and difficult situations. I hope that my music can help everyone cope during this pandemic.
360: How do you stay optimistic when you are feeling down? Do you have any daily routines or rituals that help you stay focused and positive when things get tough?
Ava: If I am feeling frustrated or nervous, I usually blast out my favorite music and dance until I feel better. I talk a lot with my family and friends about anything that is bringing me down, and they usually have good advice on how to handle it. Also… I have two amazing dogs who are always there for me!
360: We hear a lot of different influences in “Optimist.” Who are some of your biggest musical inspirations? Who are your inspirations outside of music?
Ava: I love Ariana Grande, Camila Cabello, Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa and many others. Outside of music, I am very inspired by a lot of female leaders such as Katherine Johnson, Marie Curie, and Jane Goodall.
360: You have had an incredible career for someone your age, both in theater and music. Do you have any recommendations for other people your age who are interested in becoming a recording artist?
Ava: I know that every kid hears this a thousand times, but work hard and follow your dreams. In my experiences, I try to have as much fun as possible with anything I’m doing. Since I know that this business can be stressful and you’re only a kid once, I try to bring out all the positive aspects of performing.
360: What’s next for you? Do you have plans to release more music or go on tour this year, after venues reopen?
Ava: Over the next year, I will be releasing various other original songs and I will continue to record new singles. I am looking forward to performing live again soon, and sharing my music with others face-to-face.
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