Description

Rooted in cinematic narratives, evoking emotional journeys of the heart and mind, the contemporary virtuoso duo AVAWAVES return with their latest single ‘Chrysalis’.

Anna Phoebe is a composer and violinist who has recorded and toured throughout the world with multi-platinum selling bands, as well as collaborations with the European Space Agency, Royal Ballet School and Cancer Research. Aisling Brouwer is a film composer and producer who scored the BIFA-nominated anti-racist punk feature White Riot and is currently writing the soundtrack to ‘Lioness’ – a film directed by Helena Coan about British boxing champion Nicola Adams.

True to its title, ‘Chrysalis’ is a constantly evolving, ambitious piece with a steady, developing formation. Euphoric, layered ambience unravels into emotive cascading keys in perfect harmony, reaching its final stage amongst a crescendo of retro-futuristic beats and blended synths. It’s emotive and theatrical, and effectively recalls the transformative experience of modern life as well as the cicada insects it was inspired by.

“Chrysalis was a piece that we started together just before the first lockdown, but only properly came into its own throughout the year as we progressed through all the surrealist realities of 2020. Ultimately this song is about transformation, about stepping into the light after a period of darkness and letting it drive us forward into the next phase of life in general, and of AVAWAVES musically. The track really brings together our two different worlds (the electronic scapes of Berlin & the dramatic scenery of the UK coastline) to join forces in the universe AVA – the only place we could find familiar ground together in a year we were physically separated. The theme of the Cicada proved the perfect metaphor as it represents longevity, resurrection and transformation after a period of isolation… we hope this song awakens a sense of hope, faith, and resilience in people that takes them with us on our journey.”

Coming from mixed European backgrounds (Anna Phoebe is German/Greek/Irish and Aisling Brouwer is Dutch/Irish) and having each grown up moving around multiple countries, they met for the first time in London in 2016.