Q&A: How Avery Lynch Channels Raw Emotion in Her Reintroduction with 'As Written, Vol. 2'
AS INDIE POP CONTINUOUSLY EVOLVES — Avery Lynch has emerged as a powerful voice, drawing in listeners with her raw, emotional storytelling and stripped-back sound. With her musical journey beginning on TikTok in 2020, Avery’s heartfelt and piano-driven compositions have resonated deeply with fans worldwide, bringing in over 100 million streams. She’s known for her signature blend of melancholic lyrics and uplifting melodies, and has built a dedicated following by staying true to her own vision.
Her latest EP, As Written, Vol. 2—released earlier this month—continues the journey she began with As Written, Vol. 1, which offers a mix of reimagined fan-favorite tracks and brand new songs. Signed to RECORDS/Sony, Lynch reflects on her growth since her debut and the excitement surrounding her latest project. Lynch has a unique ability to turn intimate moments into universally relatable songs and is sure to leave a mark in the indie pop scene.
In our interview with Lynch, we explore the evolution of her sound, the inspiration behind her new EP, and how she connects so deeply with her audience. Read below to learn more about Lynch.
LUNA: I would love to hear more about where your passion for music stemmed from and how it’s gotten you to where you are now. Starting at your musical journey at the age of 7, how has your relationship with music and songwriting evolved over the years?
LYNCH: I’m not sure what exactly got me into music; it might have been exposure. We had a toy piano, and I gravitated toward it. I love music, but I’m not a music nerd in the classic sense. I didn’t grow up with musicians, but my family loved music and played it constantly. I started with piano and began writing compositions, and my piano teacher would notate them. As I got older, I started singing and writing melodies. Eventually, lyrics followed. Writing became something I loved, even though I was writing about deep relationships at 14 without any experience. My piano teacher went to Berklee College of Music, so at 11, I decided I wanted to go there. I went for songwriting but didn’t take any songwriting classes. I stayed for a year, then transferred to a business school nearby in Boston.
When COVID hit, I was at home, obsessed with TikTok, so I started posting. At first, the videos didn’t get much attention, but they started picking up. My first song, “I Put You First (& You Did Too)”, got a million views on TikTok, and people streamed it. Then I followed it with “Holding My Own Hand”. I ended up making the To Love Someone Else EP in four weeks. It was chaotic but exciting. I didn’t have a plan, but I kept releasing songs because people liked them, and I loved making music. I had given up on my dream after leaving Berklee and focusing on business, but it wasn’t my thing. However, the business degree was useful. I know a lot more now, and I was able to manage myself for a while. But I couldn’t imagine doing anything else besides music.
LUNA: It’s cool that COVID got you posting on TikTok, and that’s what jump-started your music career. I’ve heard similar stories from other artists.
LYNCH: Yeah, it’s something that just takes off. It was amazing to see people invested in all my songs. I bond with other artists over that time because it was so special to feel supported like that.
LUNA: You mentioned As Written, Vol. 2 allowed you to re-record some of your favorite songs. How did you decide which songs to revisit, and did you discover any new layers to them during the process?
LYNCH: When I release music, I keep notes on songs that might work in an As Written format, especially ones that changed a lot in production. For “kids table”, the demo was essentially what the As Written version is. I slowed it down and changed the key because the original was recorded to be produced. I loved the demo’s energy, which is very different from the final version.
Other songs, like “you’re just a guy”, were chosen because of their popularity. I originally wanted it recorded with guitar, but we opted for piano. When the song did well, I knew I had to do the guitar version. I tried to cover songs from different points in my career, picking some personal favorites. “Obvious” was a slept-on song that my artist friends loved, but it didn’t perform well, so this is another chance to highlight it.
As I revisited the songs, I reworked them with a new ear and perspective. Some, like “when it ends”, were special because I wrote them years ago, and now I’m revisiting them with more life experience. It’s like a time capsule. Recording a 2024 version of a song I wrote years ago is a very cool experience.
Photography Credit: Jordan Van Hecke
LUNA: That’s amazing. I’m sure it’s nostalgic for fans too. You’re often described as a "happy girl with sad songs." How do you balance your uplifting melodies with emotional storytelling?
LYNCH: It’s funny because my fans and I are similar. We love sad music because it makes us feel good. I have a great relationship with my fans, and hearing how my music has helped them through tough times is incredible. Even though the songs are sad, they’ve had such a positive impact. It’s a strange juxtaposition—me joking around on stage and then singing something tragic right after—but it works.
LUNA: Sometimes you just want to listen to a slower, emotional track, even if you’re not going through it.
LYNCH: Exactly! My boyfriend and I write breakup songs together, which is funny. He produces my music, so we bond over it.
LUNA: With your dedicated following on TikTok and Instagram, what role have your fans played in shaping your sound, especially with the As Written projects?
LYNCH: I think I've driven the sound, and they've helped reiterate that it's good. People often say, "Make a happy song," but those who actually listen to me aren't asking for that. The songs I have, like “Sleepover” or “Holding My Own Hand”, don’t resonate as much. I'm excited about the fun songs, but they never blow up or become the song people discover me from. So, I just log that, but my fans reassure me they want heart-wrenching songs when I release music.
LUNA: Your EPs focus on raw, stripped-back versions of your music. How do you approach songwriting, knowing the end result will be minimalistic compared to more layered productions?
LYNCH: It’s easier for me because I know the whole song is whatever I create from it. I get to fill in all the blanks myself, which is fun. I’m an instrumentalist, and I love doing backgrounds, harmonies, and filling in the spaces. My producer, Jordan, and I love doing a lot with a little. It’s the most in control I can be, and it’s the most "me" the project can be.
LUNA: You've toured with BLÜ EYES and built a strong live performance reputation. How do you adapt your intimate, piano-driven songs to the stage, and what’s been your most memorable moment on tour so far?
LYNCH: It’s easy to perform my songs because they’re stripped back. It’s just me playing on stage, which makes it sound like the recording, and I get a lot of compliments on that. My most memorable moment was from a show last week, separate from the tour. On tour, I didn’t have many people singing along, but at this show, everyone was singing and had their phones up. It was the coolest thing ever, hearing people sing my songs.
LUNA: I can imagine that must have been an amazing experience, seeing people singing along.
LYNCH: It was incredible! You know people are listening, but until you see them singing your songs right in front of you, it doesn’t really hit you.
LUNA: You’ve often shared that your music draws inspiration from life experiences and media. Are there any specific films, books, or moments that influenced tracks on the upcoming EP or in the past?
LYNCH: Yes, “somebody new”, the focus track on As Written Vol. 2, was heavily inspired by Little Women and Bridgerton. I was watching both around that time, and while writing, I pictured the scene with Jo and Laurie in the field, deciding they won’t be together. I’ve started doing that more recently—taking moments or feelings from media and incorporating them into my songs. For example, my song “Not in That Way” was influenced by 500 Days of Summer, my favorite movie. I love writing about unrequited love. I take little pieces of things and feelings and put them into my songs.
LUNA: Looking ahead, where do you see your music evolving? Is there a genre or sound you're curious to explore beyond the As Written series?
LYNCH: I’ll probably lean more into a cinematic space. “Somebody new” sits in that realm, and I’ve started writing more piano-heavy, cinematic songs. But I’ll always make songs like “you're just a guy” and “Not in That Way”—that’s just who I am. I love Sleeping at Last; he taught me how to write, and I’m incorporating more of that sound. I even sent him a DM, though he’ll probably never see it. But I just wanted to thank him for influencing my career.
LUNA: Any upcoming plans you can share with us, besides the EP?
LYNCH: We have a couple of things planned in relation to this project and a few events coming up soon. Other than that, I’ll be heavily promoting the EP and getting started on the next project.
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