Singer-Songwriter Avery Raquel Is Living Her Teenage Dream

It was just a normal day in the life of a teenager when Avery Raquel heard her recently released music single, "Pieces," had broken into the Billboard club chart.

"I was at my best friend's house playing ping pong and helping his mom carry some laundry downstairs when my dad called me and told me I was #50 on the chart," she recalls from her Toronto home. "Honestly, I think my friend and his mom were more excited than I was!” She describes her reaction as being more shocked and surprised at having achieved a lifetime dream.

Avery Raquel is a college student currently pursuing a degree in music. She often feels like a modern-day Hanna Montana, the popular Disney show that starred a young Miley Cyrus living a duel life as student by day and rock star by night.

Raquel isn’t Avery’s real last name. It’s her middle name that she uses as her stage persona. “It can be odd, when we’re marketing a show or album, or when I’m asked to perform, to have to put on my Avery Raquel costume,” she laughs.

Where regular Avery simply likes to be with friends and chill, she describes Avery Raquel as a slightly more outgoing personality who wears a little more make up.

Regular Avery is not the biggest fan of EDM, either, although she has developed a greater appreciation for the genre since the StoneBridge remix of her song, “Pieces” debuted on the Billboard Dance Chart. It’s now at #30.

"I’m listening more to artists like David Guetta, Calvin Harris, and Dave Auda, all of whom have created really interesting versions of popular songs."

Avery is an old soul and it translates into her musical tastes. She listens to a lot of jazz and old school R&B, as well as seventies and eighties classics. “I really think my generation is missing out on the excitement and nuances of music from the past,” she reflects.

"Everything that we listen to today is rooted, in some way, from the great songs of the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s. I think if more in my generation were to listen to artists like Carol King, Stevie Wonder and James Taylor, they might have a better appreciation for the art of making music."

Avery’s own songwriting is greatly influenced by Motown, Staxx and the old Memphis Soul sound.

"Music is more than just a catchy hook," she continues. "I think it would be great for this generation, and the ones to follow, to never forget where their music really came from."

In the meantime, she is fully aware that Pop and EDM dominate today’s airwaves, especially among her generation and so, she will continue to listen to more EDM artists moving forward. "But my music will still tend to be in the R&B/soul arena," she makes clear.