What began as a viral TikTok sensation, now stands with over 16 million video views and 31 million global streams. AVENUE BEAT recently released their new single F2020. We caught up with Avenue Beat to talk about their new single.
AC: Let’s talk about your new single F2020. What inspired this track?
SAVANA – Just this shitstorm of a year. [Laughs] Everything that could go wrong was going wrong and I was like “this is whack, I need to vent about this in some way” and it just happened to be a song.
AC: The track has become a TikTok sensation. Have you been watching all the videos?
SAM – We are absolutely trolling the internet all the time watching the videos being made with the F2020 audio! It’s hard to react to some of the videos because it’s been used as a kind of therapeutic way to get out all your frustrations for the year which is amazing. Just know we love every single one of them and we are sending good vibes hoping 2021 is a better year for everyone!
AC: In the studio, do you have a fear you’d like to conquer?
SAM – In the studio I think a fear we would like to conquer is to continue to push the boundaries of what we are doing and never getting too settled in any one spot. We want to keep growing as we keep changing as people and going through different life experiences.
AC: What about outside of the studio?
SAMI – Oh god, just about everything! I guess fear of judgment? The internet is great for connecting us but people also really let you know what they think about you which can be scary.
AC: Where does the creation of a song begin for you?
SAM – For me, I usually come into the writing room with an idea or a strong emotion of some sort because I live for the drama. I’m a big feelings gal. Then usually Sav gives us a dope track vibe and we expand from there!
AC: Who do you feel inspired by in the music industry?
SAMI – Kacey Musgraves, Chance the Rapper. Anyone really who is on it and in control of how they put music out. We love to support artists blazing the trail and ‘choosing their own adventure’.
AC: How has Illinois influenced your music?
SAMI – Our home town, Quincy, has always been a massive supporter of the arts. We all met at the community theater and have probably played hundreds of gigs around the area. There was always an opportunity to hone your skills and tons of people who were there to support you in Quincy.
AC: As a music artist, what are you still trying to learn?
SAM – I think one of the things we want to keep working on as artists is making sure throughout all of the content we put out on social media and other places that we make sure we are portraying very realistic standards for young girls. We aren’t perfect. We are actually very flawed. But you know, just showing people that it’s okay to not have it together, to have insecurities, to not have on a full face of makeup all the time, or whatever !!! Just making sure our fans can connect to us and see themselves in us and making them feel not alone and uplifted and encouraged is everything to us.
AC: How important is social media to you right now?
SAVANA – I think social media is so important for connecting and educating. Especially during this time where we can’t see each other and there are things happening that we all should be informed of, it’s a blessing for sure.
AC: Ahead of a gig, do you have any pre-show rituals?
SAMI – Aside from a full-blown panic attack, not much haha! We definitely get nervous and pace around saying “How are we going to do this? This is going to be a disaster and the crowd is going to boo us and the lights are going to go out..” until we actually get on stage and it’s totally fine!
AC: What’s the biggest realization you’ve had this past year?
SAVANA – Life is tough but we are tougher.
AC: What makes you feel nostalgic?
SAMI – Oh boy, lots of things: girl bands, the Toys R Us theme song, musical theater, One Direction, sitting in Sam’s dining room and singing.
AC: What do you want the world to look like in 10 years?
SAVANA – This is a good question I’ve never been asked this before. I’ll just say, a little less separation and a lot more love.
AC: If you had the chance to put something on billboards worldwide next week, what would it be? Or what would it say?
SAVANA – Listen.
PHOTOGRAPHY: DELANEY ROYER
INTERVIEW: ADAM CROOKES
