One of the many highlights of the Standard Theatre Awards was the performance of Ava Joe, a rising singer-songwriter who held a daunting crowd of stage superstar spellbound with her soaring heartache tunes. “Cate Blanchett came up to me afterwards and thanked me for the songs,” recalls a still dazzled Ava, “It was an honour to sing to so many amazing people and to hear them talk about the emotional connection in theatre really resonated with me.”
The 24 year old is sure to be picking up plenty of awards herself in the coming years with music that connects straight to your nervous system. A raw, jazz-influenced talent in the Amy Winehouse vein, and alumni of the Brit School like Raye, she remains a unique proposition influenced by Nirvana and Radiohead as much as Billie Holiday: “I just love that they turn their pain into art. I'm really drawn to darkness in music and building a world.”
