"Avi Diamond is a Pittsburgh-based singer songwriter inspired by the
musical styles of jazz legends like Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan as
well as modern music such as Fiona Apple and Radiohead. She has been
composing jazz-inspired rock music from the age of 16. She attended
Duquesne University’s music therapy program where she studied jazz voice
with Maureen Budway. Avi performs in venues all over Pittsburgh and
collaborates with local musicians to create a unique alternative style
of music."
The first album you ever bought?
The first album I ever bought is probably really embarrassing. I think it might
have been N’SYNC’s first album on cassette tape.
Your last album bought?
“Middle Cyclone” by Neko Case. I’ve been meaning to get this album for a while
and finally got around to it earlier today. I actually got to see her perform
over the summer at the Byham. She has one of the most engaging voices. It kind
of feels like wolf howl that makes me you stop what you’re doing and listen.
Her lyrics are poetry, and her are songs so stylistically unusual. I love
artists who mix genres and pick creative instrumentation.
Favorite album of all time?
That’s really difficult. I can say that The Dresden Doll’s self-titled album
was one of the most influential albums to me as a songwriter. The first time I
heard their song ‘Girl Anachronism,’ it felt like a switch went off in my
brain. I didn’t know that music could sound chaotic with hectic piano, creepy
music box-sounding drum parts, and shouting vocals yet still work as a cohesive
song and be relatable. The Dresden Dolls inspired me to play with multiple
styles of music at a time and to test the boundaries of where emotion can take
you in a song. Good songs aren’t always pretty songs. Sometimes they’re loud
and dissonant.
Least favorite/most disappointing
album?
I would have to say “Encore” by Eminem. I liked Eminem when I was a little
younger but was really weirded out by that entire album.
First concert attended?
My first big concert was Green Day during their ‘American Idiot’ tour when I
was 13. My mom drove my friend and I to Columbus, Ohio to see them. We were
completely thrilled. Green Day was my favorite band in my early teenage years.
I learned how to harmonize from singing with Mike Dirnt’s harmonies and making
up my own.
Last concert?
The last concert I went to was on Saturday in Manhattan. I saw Banda Magda,
which is a band associated with Snarky Puppy. Their music is difficult to
describe. The band leader is an adorable woman from Greece named Magda. She
plays the accordion and has a soft jazzy style of singing. She led a 14 piece
band on a tiny stage, and sang in four different languages. It was probably the
most musically impressive performance I’ve ever seen. Their rhythms and
arrangements were so interesting and diverse. They played Columbian, French,
Greek, and styles of music that were hard to generalize to one location (such
as a song in Greek that had a samba feel to it). It felt like a party for my
ears.
Favorite concert ever?
I’ve been too a lot of good ones, but I think I would have to say Brandi
Carlile at Carnegie Lecture Hall in October was probably the most enjoyable. It
was a part of the pin drop tour, which involved no one in the band having any
amplification. It really made the audience feel like a part of the show. Every
time we clapped along with the beat, we had to stop so we could hear the music.
Our patience and attentiveness was a part of the performance. I love all of her
music. I don’t think there is one song by her that I don’t like. Everything she
writes feels genuine and strong. She has one of my favorite voices. The best
part of the concert was she marched around the lecture hall with her band
trailing behind her like a little marching folk band while she sang through an
old fashioned blow horn. There were no frills and no flash. It felt very rustic
and full of real talent.
Least favorite concert?
I don’t usually bother going to a show if it’s going to be a band that I don't love.
I don’t really want to call anyone out because performing live is difficult,
and it takes a lot of bravery to get up there and perform in front of people.
Favorite thoughts, experiences about
Pittsburgh?
I love Pittsburgh’s music scene. There are a lot of friendly generous people
who I have met through jam sessions and open mics. It took me awhile to feel
confident enough to put myself out there, but as soon as I did I really felt embraced
by the community. The AcoustiCafe is one of my favorite weekly Pittsburgh
events.
Thanks, Avi. I am really appreciating the power of the open mic scene here in Pittsburgh. I hear more and more about artists networking and making some waves through the many opportunities in town. Something to sure be excited about.
