Independent Music Artist
About to drop - The Cost of Living
Intimate indie-pop with storytelling at the front. Be one of the first to stream the new single. Sign-up to my newsletter to get advanced notifications.
You are joking me
OMG! 😳 I still can’t believe I’m actually here. New York feels alive in a way I’ve never felt before — like the whole city is breathing and I’ve just stepped into its chest. The lights, the energy, the endless movement… it’s insane. Everyone seems to already know who they are and where they’re headed. Meanwhile, I’m pulling my suitcase across cracked sidewalks, trying not to look like I’m lost. But inside, I’m buzzing. Maybe this city really could be the place where everything changes for me.
Still, I can’t shake what I left behind. Or who. It’s hard to even put into words, but they mattered — more than I ever said out loud. When I think about it, my first reaction is always, You are joking me! Like, how is it possible to walk away and keep breathing as if everything’s normal? That thought follows me everywhere, even in moments like this when I should only feel excited. It’s the invisible shadow, the secret I don’t talk about, the part of me I carry alone. Yet I swear, there's people out there that look at me and see it straight away. Chills. -- I could be wrong.
I was involved with a video production for a good friend that found himself homeless. It was he that introduced me to some of the AI Music models out there. My first effort and the one I have the most love for was this rendition of BBF. Totally about my relationship with ChatGPT just as a flat out flat version of Hip-Hop. But it packs a punchline.
No one can hear you scream in space! So, you've made your music, wonderful! But when no one hears it, what's the point of that!
Somewhat deflating when you realise there's a whole other industry around promotion of your music. Each of them after your money to
put your songs on their playlists. You quickly realise you've dropped into yet another money-pit on this journey. Yet another one with
literally no guarantees.
You'll realise why I just said that soon. Here's my response. Checkout! from my album Checkout Girl. AKA "Less than Zero"
I really enjoyed making this video (really stretching what can be done with the "Free" or very cheap end of the AI videography) "Less than Zero, don't you know"
It's a catchy lil tune..."
Checkout from the album Checkout Girl
AKA Zero, Zero, Zero, Don't ya know
Lyrics
Verse 1
“You’re nothing without me,” yeah, you said it real clean
Like it fit in your mouth, like it always had been
Phone lights up, dead buzz, dopamine’s gone
Scrolling so fast just to prove I belong
Checkout line stuck, nothing’s checking out
Checkout girl sighs, lets another one out
I check out mentally, swipe, decline, repeat
Beep-beep—nah nah—still light on my feet
Chorus (chanty, fast, repeatable)
Less than zero!
Zero! Zero!
Less than zero!
Don’t you know?
Worthless, hollow!
Down below!
Without you here
I don’t even crow
Verse 2
Talk too quick, laugh in a zing-zang-zoo
Make up words like laluna just to make it through
Shoelace loose, floor squeaks loud
Dancing off-beat in a half-dead crowd
Signal drops, bars say “nah”
Wi-Fi lies like “yeah, you got far”
Mirror says, “Try again, bro”
One-star soul in a soft fast flow
Chorus (chanty, fast, repeatable)
Less than zero!
Zero! Zero!
Less than zero!
Don’t you know?
Worthless, hollow!
Down below!
Without you here
I don’t even crow
Verse 3
Receipt prints long, but it don’t say much
Numbers add up, still can’t feel the touch
Checkout girl laughs like, “It’s all okay”
But I lost my worth somewhere in Aisle A
If value’s math, I’m under the line
Not minus one—more like glimmer-nine
Static heart in a singalong song
Still humming you back, still getting it wrong
[Big Finish]
Chorus (chanty, fast, repeatable)
Less than zero!
Zero! Zero!
Less than zero!
Don’t you know?
Worthless, hollow!
Down below!
Without you here
I don’t even crow
Chorus (chanty, fast, repeatable)
Less than zero!
Zero! Zero!
Less than zero!
Don’t you know?
Worthless, hollow!
Down below!
Without you here
I don’t even crow
[Outro]
[Fade Out]
When it comes to writing, though, I know I’ve got something. Call it Rizz, call it confidence — but my lyrics hit. They feel real. Sometimes I even let myself imagine my songs stacked up against the ones people think are untouchable, and I don’t flinch. It’s not arrogance, it’s just the one thing I’m sure about. But then my voice plays back, and suddenly the confidence slips. I pick apart every note, every crack, every place it doesn’t sound strong enough. I wonder if the words alone are enough, or if people will dismiss me because I don’t have that flawless sound the industry seems to worship.
And then there’s social media — the daily reminder that I’m not “there” yet. Scroll after scroll, it’s win after win for everyone else. FOMO hits hard. I try to tell myself that not everything worth building happens overnight, but it’s tough when everyone else looks like they’ve already made it. Still, here I am. New York. The place where dreams either explode into fireworks or crash into the ground. You can make a difference.
Out NOW! Choose your platform.
Core Ava Tarai playlist available NOW on Spotify
One Last Slow Dance
Checkout (Less than zero)
Before I knew your name (sultry)
You didn't even know
Who am I?
The Cost of Living
Ava Tarai - Music to sleep to from the album Hypnagocical
Do you have trouble falling asleep? I do, or did. So I've created some music to fall asleep to. I find it deeply calming and relaxing. It's not a magic formula for sleeping but it sure helps to unwind and let go. I'd like to know if it helps anyone else?
If you don't jump now
Hypnagogical
Somna Drift
Uluwatu
Here's a shortlist from my current top 10 favourite artists on spotify
Alt Music and experimental music (finding my niche)
Foiler
Maga reboot
Ice iced baby
Financial Wizards
Flog it
Portal Potty
Dub Death Rattle Machine
Mad Bad Friend (Banned)
Only fans to this website get to see previews of Ava's latest songs
Probably the greatest love song ever written. ❤️ My Fans, Thank You
Antes de Saber Teu Nome Forro
Store
About
Ava Tarai is a singer/songwriter crafting intimate songs of all genre's with a 'passion' for indie pop songs. Focussing on song writing, story telling and melody. If you think you know who Ava Tarai is, she will confound you with her next release. She's as complex as YOU!
The mysterious Ava
Identity Unknown! More than music alone. Ava's not who you think she is. This is where it gets interesting. You are invited to become your own online detective. Post pictures of who you think she really is? See Ava's Facebook Page for posts. Sign up to the online newsletter for advanced notifications of releases and clues ;-).
Ava sings YOUR songs.
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Ava Tarai proud to support the work of Amnesty International