Making Ideas Louder: A Conversation with Aviella
Born in Rochester and now based in Los Angeles, Aviella Winder, known professionally as Aviella, got her start sharing cover versions of songs on YouTube, gradually developing her own blend of soulful indie pop with catchy melodies, deeply personal lyrics and her distinctive vocals. In short order, Aviella was embraced by the electronic dance music community, featuring on a host of records and building her reputation as an invaluable collaborator.
BMI’s David Streit recently caught up with the busy singer/songwriter to find how it’s all come together for her.
BMI: I know you just got back from Miami Music Week (your second year in a row). How was it this year? Any recap or fun stories you could share?
Aviella: This year’s Miami Music Week felt really full circle for me. Everything felt so intentional. There were moments where I just stopped and thought, “wow, I’m really here right now!!!”
One of my favorite parts of MMW is always connecting with other artists and all of my music friends - it honestly feels like a big family reunion! There’s something really special about being surrounded by people who are all there for the same reason…the music brings us all together in such a powerful way and it’s incredibly inspiring.
I also performed at the EDM Awards again this year, which was really special to come back to and be part of for a second time.
What made this year even more meaningful for me is that I just recently started DJing, completely self-taught. So, in a lot of ways, this felt like a debut for me! Being there and stepping into this new side of myself, made everything hit differently. It felt like the beginning of something really exciting!!!
Your last single, “Ritual” was recently released – the song is amazing! Congratulations on the release. What inspired “Ritual” and what does the concept of a ritual mean in the context of this song?
“Ritual” was inspired by the idea that love can become something almost sacred. To me, a “ritual” isn’t just routine, it’s something you constantly return to with intention. It can be emotional, physical, or even subconscious. This song lives in that space where desire and memories start to feel repetitive in a way that’s both beautiful and a little haunting. It’s about being drawn to someone/something so strongly, even when you’re unaware of it.
I also just saw the music video for “Ritual” and it was awesome. Was there a specific visual style or shot that you knew had to be in the music video from the beginning? Any memorable moments from filming the video?
From the beginning, I knew I wanted the video to feel hypnotic and immersive. It was really important to me that it didn’t just tell a story, but created a feeling people could step into.
One of the most memorable moments from filming was during our outdoor shot when it suddenly started raining. It wasn’t planned at all, but it ended up adding this really raw, cinematic energy that we just leaned into. There were also some very real behind-the-scenes moments - we had all these flower petals scattered everywhere for a scene and…no way to clean them up, so we literally had to find a shovel and a rake and figure it out on the spot. It was very DIY, very hands-on, and honestly such an amazing team effort throughout the shoot. Everyone involved put so much heart into it.
Also, the choreography was a huge highlight for me - it brought the whole vision to life in a way that felt super real and emotional. It really tied everything together!
You’ve collaborated with a crazy number of producers and artists throughout your career. What do you look for in a collaboration, and how do you approach the process of working with others? Is it different every time?
For me, collaboration always starts with energy. My favorite sessions are the ones where there’s an immediate sense of openness - where everyone feels free to throw ideas out without overthinking. That’s usually when the best magic happens! Every process is a little different, but I tend to come in with a lyrical idea/concept, and/or a melody and then we build everything around that together! I also keep a running note in my phone called “songwriting fuel,” which is basically a collection of random thoughts, phrases, and feelings I don’t want to forget. So a lot of times I’ll pull from that in sessions…it’s like opening a little vault of inspiration and seeing what resonates in the moment.
You’ve been steadily building your presence in the dance music scene. How do you feel your sound or artistic vision has evolved over the past few years?
That’s such a sweet compliment…thank you so much! I’ve always felt really confident in the feeling I want my music to carry!!
I’m incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to topline across so many different EDM subgenres, which has been such a huge part of my growth. Being able to move between styles and still feel like me has been really freeing creatively…and honestly, I’m just having so much fun with it all right now. I feel like you can really hear it in the music when it’s coming from a place of excitement and freedom.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as an artist in the dance music industry, and how have you navigated them?
I think one of the biggest challenges has been navigating growth in a space that moves so quickly, while still building something that lasts. As an artist, you’re not just creating - you’re also always figuring out how to evolve and how to take things to the next level.
For me, a huge part of that has been finding the right team! Having people around me who truly understand my vision and support my growth makes all the difference. It’s not just about opportunities, it’s about alignment and having a solid foundation to build from.
I’ve also been pushing myself into new territory, like learning how to DJ, which has been a new shift for me. It’s definitely challenged me in new ways, but I love that!! It’s opened up a whole new side of my artistry and how I connect with people.
Overall, I think it’s about embracing growth, staying open to learning, and surrounding yourself with the right people who can help you expand while still staying true to who you are!
Outside of music, what inspires you creatively? Do you draw from art, film, travel, or other experiences?
I’m really inspired by atmosphere. I pull from many moments - memories, conversations, specific experiences…I love anything that creates a strong feeling, whether that’s film, visual art, or even just the energy of a space.
Nature is a huge one for me too. There’s something about being outside that resets everything…it feels like my mind gets quieter but my ideas get louder.
And this might sound a little unexpected, but I also make art using preserved bugs and butterflies. There’s something really beautiful to me about transforming something delicate and temporary into something lasting. I think that idea shows up in my music too - capturing a feeling and giving it a place to live forever.
At the end of the day, I’m inspired by anything that makes me feel something deeply…and then I just follow that!
I’ve come to understand you like animals and have lots of interesting pets! What kinds of pets do you currently have?
Ohhhhh yes, I’m definitely an animal person…it’s basically a zoo over here at this point! There’s Squish, who’s a Sharpei-beagle mix, Pb & J (they’re sibling grey cats and literally the size of Maine Coons), and Maraca, my tiny hairless cat. It’s a full house to say the least!!
They honestly keep me really grounded. No matter how busy things get, they bring me right back into the present…there’s just so much personality in one space, you can’t not be in the moment!!! Haha
And fun fact - my dad is currently babysitting my tarantula, which feels very on-brand for my life…like I can’t believe that’s a real sentence I just said.
I’ve always been like this…in the past I’ve had rats, fish, guinea pigs, & even a praying mantis. I just love observing different kinds of life. It’s the coolest.
Sidenote: I LOVE worms. LOL
Looking ahead, are there any dream collaborations or goals you’re hoping to achieve in the next year?
Right now, I’m really focused on continuing to build a world around my music. Not just releasing music, but also creating experiences that people can really step into and connect with on a deeper level - visually, emotionally, and sonically.
There are definitely dream collaborations I have in mind, but for me it’s less about names and more about alignment. The best work always comes from a genuine creative connection, and that’s what I’m really prioritizing as I step into this next phase.
This year is all about expansion!! I’m stepping more fully into my DJ project, continuing to release music that feels true to me, and pushing into bigger and new spaces. I’ve been building a lot behind the scenes, so I’m really excited to see it all open up. More than anything, I want to deepen the connection with my audience…create moments people can feel and remember. That’s the goal.
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