Frank Door
Welcome to the first Six-String Spotlight, a new monthly series where I talk with artists I think you should know: about their songs, their guitars, and the road they're on.
Ava Claire is a Nashville songwriter studying at Belmont with a debut EP, Honestly, out now. Five songs, all written by her, produced by Eric Arjes. Billboard already flagged her in their new-acts roundup. She's also spent five years teaching songwriting and refurbishing instruments for underserved kids in Music City. I wanted to know more, so we sent over seven questions.
Ed's take:. I loved this EP from the first listen, and Honestly earned a permanent spot on my playlist. What's striking is how deep it goes: a young songwriter writing with the emotional weight of someone twice her age. It's raw without being sloppy, honest without oversharing. Her story, her sound, her songwriting. All of it is well worth your time.
Frank Door
The debut EP 'Honestly': five songs, all written by Ava, produced by Eric Arjes
Honestly is your debut EP. Five songs, all written by you, produced by Eric Arjes. What ties these five songs together as a body of work?
I think my words, my writing, my experiences are what tie the project together. It's the evolution of me as a young woman and as a writer.
The title track is about the intrusive thoughts that come with knowing you'll end up breaking someone's heart. That's a brave song to lead with. What made you want to say that out loud?
I actually never intended to produce that track. My Label was on me to post. I was finishing that song so I made a quick video and the response was absolutely insane. So I thought, you know what, I need to record this one.
Billboard flagged you in their new-acts roundup as "sonically unpredictable." How do you hear that description: fair, or does it miss something?
First of all, so incredibly grateful to be included in Billboard roundup. It was incredibly surprising! I was floored to hear my music described in that way. I want my listeners eager to see what could come next from me so I took that as huge huge compliment.
You're studying songwriting at Belmont now, but you taught yourself guitar on YouTube and made your Music Row debut at Bobby's Idle Hour at 11. What has formal training changed about the way you write?
I got a guitar teacher at age 10 and she really pushed me into performing. I really don't think that I would be who I am as a songwriter without her. She encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and do the thing! Formal training opens your mind to the possibilities. Watching, learning and playing and writing with a teacher or mentor opens up a world of possibilities and gives you the courage to explore that.
You've spent five years teaching songwriting and refurbishing instruments for underserved kids in Nashville. How does that work feed back into your own songs?
I mean how can it not? I have sat with children in this town, MUSIC City, and they've never seen a guitar in person. How can that be? Or dreamed that they could write a song? Those experiences become apart of the fiber of who you are. Those kids changed me.
Beyond the EP, what's the next thing you're trying to get better at as a writer?
I started out in poetry and it was the basis for my songwriting. So I am definitely trying to incorporate that practice back into my life. Those exercises stretch you in a creative way that only have positive impacts on my writing.
The First Guitar Question (our signature closer): What was your first guitar, and what do you play now?
First guitar: a little Johnson JG-TR15. I now play a Gibson 12 fret Parlor, its L-00.
Follow Ava: avaclairemusic.com · Instagram · Facebook · TikTok · Stream the Honestly EP
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