Perth-based singer-songwriter Ben Avitra's newest release, 'The River', is a cathartic unpacking of emotions related to past trauma.
A musician with experience dating back to 2007 across several bands, it was during the shutdowns of 2020 that Ben decided to focus on his solo endeavours, mining his own mental and physical health issues (from 2016 to 2020) to instigate a series of potent alt-pop, indie folk singles in 2021-2022.As Avitra continues along the solo path, 'The River' is a mostly DIY recording that he completed at his home studio, with a couple of excursions to professional studios to lay down the drum and bass parts. Lyrically it relates to Avitra's own experiences in his late teens and a relationship with a friend who spiralled dangerously into drug dependency.
Hauntingly luscious finger-picked guitar is married to Ben's clear, expressive vocals that carry a calming quality drizzled with soulful hints of compassion as he sings about the emotional fallout from psychological manipulation born from real-life experiences.
The song slowly builds in intensity, uncoiling to present a folktronica ballad laced with hazy trip-hop feels with Ben vocally showcasing a powerful vulnerability before the song slips back into an indie-pop pond of sensitivity.
Ahead of the song's release tomorrow (29 February), scenestr is proud to premiere 'The River' today. Enjoy.
"'The River' is about a time where I was influenced by drug culture, the negative experiences came with those choices and the falling out with a close friend during that time," shares Ben.
"This song is also about the lessons I've learnt and the wisdom that's come with those lessons. It's a song about emotional healing – trusting the process of the idea of 'feel it to heal it'."
There's an earnest honesty to Ben's presentation of an issue that is all too commonplace in society. "In my late teens, I had a good friend whom I cared for who ended up grappling with a heavy drug addiction," he says.
"My friend and I would bear witness to her comedowns, and it only got worse over time. At one point, she was throwing my personal belongings out of the house and it became pure mental and emotional abuse.
"It ultimately led me to having to leave the house in a hurry. There was nothing I could do or say, and we didn't speak for years. This is a reflection on that time."
It would also be years before Ben could revisit the memories of that time, processing a range of feelings to arrive at an empathic destination of forgiveness... a quality modern society should promote more openly.
"Releasing this song has been quite confronting – not just because it's my first big release but because it's a coming to terms with my choices during that confusing time. I got caught up with with someone I cared about and yes, I'm responsible for those choices.
"Reflecting on that time, it's also about speaking my truth and not being afraid to stand up when emotional and psychological manipulation are living, breathing down the back of your spine, and ultimately the act of forgiveness of myself and my friends that got caught up in that mess."
