Antony Partridge and I AM AVA on the Pure Local Extra show

Both musicians are on a very different scale in terms of experience. Ava is younger and newer on the music scene. While Antony is more experienced and has been on the music scene for a while. Despite the differences, both have new music out and many upcoming performances to talk about.

Antony is part of Jump The Underground. They have been quiet lately as they are currently writing new stuff. Outside of Jump The Underground, his new solo project, New Arcadia features all members of Jump The Underground. It’s a way for him to release any music he wants without input from anyone else. It’s also quite a different style from Jump The Underground.

As usual, we played music from our guests. We started with “Promise In the Sand” by New Arcadia. Today marks 65 years since the 6 Bells Mining Disaster. The song takes some inspiration from it. The song is about working class communities and how they put their lives into their work to get by and the lack of respect they get. It talks about how the lack has gotten worse.

Next, we played “I’m Enough” by Ava, a song written when she was 10. The idea just came to her and has been in development. The song takes on the theme of bullying, a common topic seen within her music.

Something we talked about was “Rising Stars”, a business founded by Ava and her Dad. Rising Stars creates showcases with various musicians (and the occasional other act) and takes them around Wales to show people’s musical talents. The idea came through a conversation. 

Antony and Ava were asked “If you could write a song with anyone, who would it be?” and they both had different answers. Antony answered with Joe Strummer, he struggles with lyrics and he thinks Joe has amazing lyrics. Ava answered with Billie Eilish, someone who she is a big fan of.

Finally, what’s coming up:

Today, Antony is going to sit down with Tony McCarroll (the original drummer for Oasis) for a QnA at Ye Old Butchers Arms in Rhiwbina. Then tomorrow, he’s playing at SlugFest in Abertillery Park.

As for Ava, on August 2nd she has an audition for Britain’s Got Talent in Manchester. On July 18th, a new song coming out and finally, she will be singing in a Festival in Abergavenny on 12th July.

You can listen to the full show here