Aya Yves is up next. The Australian-based artist has been on an internal exploration of self, and the lightness of being, in her new single Feeling Small (Let the Light In). We spoke to the singer/songwriter about the Aya Yves project and what's next:

We love your new single. It’s so poignant and vulnerable. Tell us about the space you were in while you wrote it?

"Thank you so much! At the time I was really trying to feel hopeful about my life changing to be what I wanted, almost aggressively hopeful. It was like I was trying to convince myself that life can be more, my mental health can be good - and things can feel positive."

Tell us how the world of Aya Yves came to be? When did you begin this project? What inspired you?

"I launched AYA YVES at the start of 2020. I'd been making singer/songwriter-folky music for my whole life, and I wanted to create a world that felt new for me. I wanted to start something with no constraints on what the art was, because it was completely new. I'm really inspired by Bon Iver, Banks, Tove Lo & Caroline Polachek. I need to be able to seethe visuals when making the music - that's how I know it's what I want it to be."

Where did you grow up? How did your musical journey begin?

"I grew up in the Snowy Mountains- in Cooma, and part time on a bush property out near Jindabyne. It meant I got to grow up running around a property, swimming in the river, bushwalking and building treehouses with my brother. I feel lucky looking back at that.

"My mum used to teach violin, cello & viola (she's changed careers to aged care after 30+years of teaching). I had a cello stuck into my hands from age 4, but I always knew singing was going to be my career. My brother and I started performing at folk festivals aroundAustralia when I was about 6 and it just grew from there. I started teaching myself guitar at age 13 so I could song write- I guess I just never stopped!"

You’ve been spending time in Byron Bay. How has it been influencing your creativity?

"I've just been staying up here a bit! I'm mostly still Sydney based but I'm travelling between the two. It's been a welcome change to have some time out of the city and slow my life down. I felt like I needed to shake things in my day to day life to inspire some creativity. I'm feeling ready to dive into making more music again which is a nice feeling to have back."‍

Who would you love to collaborate with? Ultimate Aya Yves feat...?

"It's really hard to narrow it down! I think my ultimate will always be Bon Iver. Locally I think Flume and I would make something really cool. I love his track with Caroline Polachek a lot!"

You mentioned Tove Lo and Banks as some of your influences. We have spoken to both these artists as big fans and they were so deep and honest. What do you love about their music? Which other artists do you love?

"I'm vicariously living through you - I love their music so much! I love that BANKS feels so powerful and dark, but somehow really soft and vulnerable at the same time. III is one of my top favourite albums. The production is really unique, Till Now has to be my favourite album opener I've heard. As for Tove Lo, her songwriting is really like no other. Her lyrics always just hit you right in the chest- I also really applaud both of their visuals- their worlds are so clear to the listener."

Who have you been working with who is becoming an intrinsic part of the Aya Yves universe? Any producers, writers, directors...

"I feel like I've slowly been collecting my people! I've been working with Bri Clark pretty much since day 1- she's such a fantastic songwriter and I'm so proud to call her a close friend thanks to all the art we've made together. When we get in a room together it just flows- especially if we happen to be in a room with Pat Byrne producing (Beso Palma). I trust the two of them completely, and they both really understand the universe I'm trying to create. We love a lot of the same artists so I think that's a real key factor. Visually I've been working with Patrick Coe (Trick Vision) a lot, he's just super keen to be a part of the project and always puts so much love into executing the ideas I have in my head. His cinematography skills are out of this world so I feel very lucky to have him on board."

Do you have a mentor?

"Not in the traditional sense. I have Mardi Caught (The Annex) who helps me navigate theindustry side of things. Musically I look to my peers for their opinions, we always do demo swaps and give feedback. I would really love someone to take me under their wing one day, but I won't force it- only if it happens organically."

We love your look! Do you have any beauty or style icons?

"Thank you! I worked as a makeup artist for a couple years and really loved working editorial & runway, so I find myself looking to couture for inspiration. I love AlexanderMcQueen (who doesn't?) but also recently I've really been falling in love with Schiaparelli. I also really love Sammi J Efcoate for style inspo!"

What’s next for you?

"Writing, writing, more writing. I have a personal goal of releasing an album at some point but I have to write it first! Will be getting on the road at some point this year, performing is my favourite part of the whole world of being an artist- and thanks to the timing of my last EP, I never got to tour it. Hopefully I'll make up for that this year."

Listen to Aya Yves HERE.

@ayayvesmusic