Canberra-based musician packing her bags for new tour in a busy year

Performing has always been part of Ava Martina’s life – and it’s carried the singer from her youth to stages in Canberra and beyond.

“I think I’ve always definitely been a performer,” she said.

“I feel like I’m quite shy in my everyday life and quite reserved, so I’ve always just loved being on stage, being able to do whatever I want and really express myself.”

She spent her early years singing with her sisters and putting on shows for their parents – a passion that continued in Australia.

“I moved here from Holland when I was about eight years old,” Ava said.

“I couldn’t really speak English. So at school I ended up doing a lot of extracurricular activities such as musical theatre, jazz choir and all of those kind of things to get me out of my comfort zone, to get me out of my shell.”

At the end of high school, she posted a video on Instagram of herself singing. It quickly met a positive response and invitations to shows.

“After doing a few gigs, I moved to Canberra to do a music degree at ANU [the Australian National University],” she said.

“I just really love the Canberra music scene and how accepting it is.

“I’ve stuck around since then because I just love it so much.”

One of her latest adventures is opening for Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Parmy Dhillon in several shows amid his tour across Victoria, NSW and Canberra.

“I’ve always wanted to play shows more outside the Canberra region,” Ava said. “So I thought it was a perfect opportunity to do that. I’m very excited about it all.”

A contemporary alternative musician, Parmy will perform his new single New Forever during the tour, plus some older work and covers.

The duo will hit the stage in Majors Creek (19 May), Tomakin (20 May), Canberra (26 May), Moruya (27 May) and Katoomba (28 May).

They have also been working on several covers to perform together.

The tour will also see Ava perform some of her new music.

“I’d say the stuff I’m writing currently is a bit of a different sound or a bit of a different style.

“My original stuff was a little more folky, leaning into almost country – and now I’m leaning to the rock, soul, jazz genres.

“It’s a nice sweet spot somewhere in between those styles.”

While there are some nerves with the new songs, she’s excited for others to hear them.

“I am quite a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to my writing. By the time I’ve decided to go perform it, I’ve already thought over it many, many times.”

Looking beyond the tour, she’s planning on recording the new music.

“I’m currently working on creating some demos, getting in the recording process to hopefully start releasing a few singles this year.

“I’m not too sure of the exact timeline of that yet.”