Bittersweet and Brilliant: Ava Valianti Strikes Gold with “Distant”

Teen pop prodigy finds clarity in emotional distance

At just 15 years old, Ava Valianti delivers something many artists twice her age still chase: emotional truth wrapped in irresistible melody. Her newest single, “Distant” (released May 23), is a radiant indie-pop gem that manages to sound like both a goodbye and a summer road trip at once — a song that smiles through the sting.

What makes Distant shine isn't just its polished production or earworm hooks — it’s the maturity behind the songwriting. Ava captures the quiet ache of growing apart from childhood friends, not in grand heartbreaks, but in the subtle silences that grow between once inseparable people. It’s a theme deeply relatable to anyone caught in the in-between of youth and adulthood, and Ava nails the nuance. Her lyrics (“life just moved and we forgot to follow”) glide over a vibrant rhythm section, allowing the song to feel hopeful even when it hurts.

There’s a unique duality here: wistful lyrics, upbeat energy. That emotional contrast is where Ava thrives. Since debuting with bubble wrap in 2023, she’s steadily grown her presence with national radio play, multiple award nominations, and powerful live performances. But Distant feels like a coming-of-age moment — not just for the narrative she tells, but for Ava herself as an artist stepping into her own spotlight.

As she heads into the release of her debut EP this fall, Distant solidifies Ava Valianti as not just a promising voice in pop — but a storyteller capable of capturing the messy, beautiful middle spaces of growing up. For fans of Olivia Rodrigo, Gracie Abrams, or anyone who’s ever felt a little too young to be this nostalgic, Distant is a must-add to your playlist.

1. “Distant” feels like a song many people your age — and honestly, any age — could relate to. Do you remember the exact moment or feeling that sparked the idea for the song?

It’s really just the feeling of nostalgia, uncertainty, sadness, and a bit of hope that culminated in this one song, “Distant”! I took the feelings I didn’t quite know how to feel, and I put them to paper!

2. You’ve mentioned that music is the one thing that always makes sense to you. At 15, with so much in flux, how does songwriting help you navigate the chaos of growing up?

It really helps me sort through the hardest emotions and thoughts, and grounds me in an art I can find passion in! It turns the saddest experiences into beautiful processes, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world!

3. The contrast in “Distant” is striking — heartbreaking lyrics set to this shimmering, indie-pop beat. Was that intentional from the start, or did the sound evolve as the song took shape?

Thank you so much! It wasn’t actually very intentional, because this song was written as a ballad on acoustic guitar! However, when I brought it to Zack Burke, the main producer on “Distant”, he saw the vision for the contrasting lyrics and music. We really just took that and ran with it, and it ended up being one of the best things about the song!

4. There’s a rawness to your lyrics that doesn’t feel filtered or curated — it’s like you’re saying what many people are scared to. How do you stay brave enough to be that vulnerable in your writing?

That’s so kind, thanks! I love writing and I’d say that the best way to stay vulnerable is to trust your gut, not give into fear, write exactly how you’re feeling, and when you doubt yourself, think about the people that might relate! I do it for everyone who listens and feels the same way I do.

5. Since debuting with “Bubble Wrap,” your music has steadily gained national traction. How has your approach to making music changed since that first release, if at all?

My approach has definitely changed, because I’ve gotten older and a bit wiser when it comes to things like marketing, musicianship, and lyricism! I’ve learned so much about the world of music since I first released “Bubble Wrap”, and everyday I’m learning! I don’t think I’ll ever stop learning about my sound and voice, and that’s something I’m so grateful for.

6. You’ve already shared the stage with artists like Jessica Baio and Lucy Kaplansky. Has performing live changed the way you think about your songs, or how you write them?

I’d say I learned something different from both of them, with both things being equally valuable. From Lucy, I learned that the most important thing about songwriting is that it comes from your heart and that you put every part of yourself onstage to perform. From Jessica, I learned so much about how to connect with the crowd, and the importance of carrying yourself with confidence and kindness. Overall, I’m just so grateful to have shared the stage with two incredible artists.

7. A lot of young artists chase trends or try to sound older than they are — but your music feels true to your age and experiences, without losing depth. Is that something you consciously protect in your creative process? 

Thanks, yeah, that’s been a huge factor for me throughout my musical journey. When I first started to record my songs, I’d always say that I didn’t want to sound “too young”, because I was afraid that I wouldn’t be taken seriously as an artist. But I quickly realized that my age is one of the best things about me, because it reflects where I am in my life! That’s so exciting and writing about teenage life is something everyone can understand and relate to.

8. “Distant” captures that quiet heartbreak of drifting from childhood friends. Was it difficult to put that feeling into words, or did it come naturally once you sat with it?

The concept of it all was definitely difficult to grasp over these past few years, but once I sat with my feelings and really started to work, the music and lyrics came pretty naturally. It was a deeply personal song to create and I loved the process of writing it, despite the topic and its sting.

9. Your debut EP is on the horizon. What can listeners expect from it? Will it follow the emotional thread of “Distant,” or are you exploring some new directions?

I’m so excited about my EP, which is coming out this Fall! I’d say that it has a wide range of genres, lyrical topics, and vocals, which I hope is as exciting to you as it is to me! The songs all have their thread, and keep my signature sound, but I’m definitely trying a lot of new things and I’m so excited for you to hear it!

10. You’ve described music as a lifeline — not just a passion, but something that anchors you. Has that relationship to music changed now that more people are listening and watching?

I honestly don’t think it’s been altered, just amplified. The more I write and sing and create, the more I find out who I am and what I want to be in my life. It connects me to things I wouldn’t see, people I wouldn’t know, and feelings I wouldn’t tap into otherwise. It’s one of the very best things in my life and I’m so so so grateful I get to pursue it professionally!

11. What does success look like for you right now? Is it more about connection, numbers, or something else entirely?

Just to keep writing, and to meet new people who resonate with my songs! That’s so exciting, and I’d love as many people to hear my music as possible, so please go take a listen!

12. If someone listens to “Distant” and they’re going through the same kind of friendship loss or change — what’s the one feeling or message you hope they walk away with?

While I definitely took a cynical approach to friendships through the lyrics in “Distant”, I sincerely hope that you find comfort in knowing that friendships are a beautiful thing, even if they end or fade.