AvDiva is the independent music project of singer-songwriter and producer Katya Avdeeva. Writing, producing, and arranging all of her music independently, she blends cinematic indie pop, alternative pop, and atmospheric electronic influences into emotionally driven songs defined by immersive soundscapes and intimate vocals. Her music explores themes of self-discovery, freedom, change, and finding a sense of home within yourself. Having performed internationally, including live events in Doha, Qatar, AvDiva continues to build her artistic world one release at a time. Her work has been featured by countless media outlets, played on various radio stations, and has connected with listeners around the world through platforms like Spotify and YouTube.
With “This Is Not My Story” out now, we took some time to hear from AvDiva. Read below to learn more about AvDiva, the story behind “This Is Not My Story,” and what’s to come.
Hi AvDiva! Let’s start with how did you choose your stage name?
It’s actually a funny story. My real surname is Avdeeva, and one day I heard a foreigner pronounce it as “Avdiiiva,” stretching the “i” sound. It immediately caught my attention because it sounded melodic and memorable. I remember thinking, “That could actually be my artist name.” From that moment on, AvDiva felt like the perfect fit. It still reflects my real name, but it also has its own personality and identity, which is exactly what I wanted for my music.
What city are you from, and where are you based now?
I was born in Novokuznetsk, a city in Siberia, Russia, and I’m currently based in Moscow. Growing up in Siberia gave me a deep appreciation for quiet spaces and introspection, while living in a big city has brought new experiences and creative opportunities. I think both places have shaped me in different ways, and you can probably hear a little of that contrast in my music.
What does “home” mean to you?
For a long time, I thought home was a place or a person. Today, I think it’s a feeling. It’s the moment when you can be completely yourself without pretending to be anyone else. I think that’s what many of my songs are really about.
At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?
Music was always a part of my life, but for a long time it was simply something I loved rather than a career. I grew up performing on stage, singing and dancing from an early age, and music was always where I felt most at home.
The decision to pursue it professionally came much later. At some point, I realized I didn’t just want to perform other people’s songs – I wanted to create something that truly reflected who I am. That realization became the beginning of AvDiva. Since then, I’ve been writing, producing, and developing my music independently, one song at a time.
How would you describe your sound?
I would describe my sound as cinematic indie pop with elements of alternative pop and atmospheric electronic music. I’m drawn to creating immersive soundscapes where every instrument helps tell the story.
My songs are usually built around intimate vocals, emotional melodies, and spacious production. I want the music to feel like a quiet conversation or a scene from a film – something that allows people to slow down, reflect, and connect with their own emotions.
More than fitting into a specific genre, I’m interested in creating a feeling. If someone listens to one of my songs and feels understood or finds a little sense of peace, then I’ve achieved what I set out to do.
If you could describe your music in three words, what would they be?
Honest. Cinematic. Hopeful.
Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?
Outside of music, I enjoy reading, especially books that stay with you long after you’ve finished them. I also love cinema and often find inspiration in films, not only through their stories but also through their atmosphere, visuals, and soundtracks.
Another passion of mine is teaching English. I genuinely enjoy helping people grow and express themselves with confidence, and I find the creative side of teaching incredibly rewarding.
To stay creative, I try to stay curious. Sometimes inspiration comes from a great film or a beautiful piece of writing, and sometimes it comes from a quiet walk or an ordinary moment that suddenly feels meaningful. I’ve learned not to force creativity – I simply try to stay open to it.
Who are some of your main musical influences?
My influences come from different genres and different generations, but they all have one thing in common – they created music that felt deeply personal and unmistakably their own.
Artists like Moby and Massive Attack have always inspired me with their ability to build atmosphere and emotion through sound. More recently, I’ve been drawn to artists such as Hayley Williams, especially her solo work, Caroline Polachek, MARINA, Melanie Martinez, and AURORA. Each of them has a unique artistic identity and isn’t afraid to experiment or evolve.
I think I’m naturally drawn to artists who weren’t afraid to search for their own sound instead of following trends. You can hear that sense of exploration in their music, and it’s something I admire deeply. Rather than trying to imitate anyone, I take inspiration from their courage to be original and to keep growing creatively.
What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?
One of the things that I’m most proud of is seeing genuine connections happen naturally. There have been times when I uploaded a simple demo to YouTube without any expectations, and it unexpectedly reached thousands of people before eventually becoming a finished song. Moments like that remind me that honest music can find its audience.
Another special moment was discovering that one of my songs, which I created almost by accident while experimenting with different sounds, became my most-streamed track on Spotify. It wasn’t the result of a carefully planned strategy – it simply happened because I followed my curiosity. Even today, I still receive messages from listeners, especially from the United States, telling me how much the song means to them. Some have even said it was one of their favourite discoveries of 2024. As an independent artist, those messages are truly priceless.
I’m also incredibly grateful to have performed my original music at live events in Doha, where I had the opportunity to share my songs with audiences in such a unique international setting. Experiences like these remind me why I create music in the first place.
What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that you can’t wait for inspiration to magically appear. Creativity isn’t just about inspiration – it’s about showing up consistently, even on the days when you don’t feel particularly inspired. Some of my favourite ideas have come simply because I kept working.
I’ve also learned not to be afraid of expressing myself honestly or following ideas that might seem unusual at first. The moments when I trusted my instincts instead of overthinking were often the moments that led to the most meaningful music.
I think every artist has their own voice, and one of the most important parts of the journey is having the courage to trust it.
Now onto your release, “This Is Not My Story.” What inspired this song? What is “This Is Not My Story” about?
“This Is Not My Story” was inspired by the realization that we often spend so much of our lives searching for certain feelings in other people – acceptance, love, a sense of belonging, or happiness – believing that someone else will finally make us feel complete.
Over time, I began to understand that those feelings don’t really come from outside of us. They begin within ourselves. That realization became the emotional heart of this song.
For me, “This Is Not My Story” is about letting go of old narratives, expectations, and versions of ourselves that no longer fit. It’s about choosing your own path instead of continuing to live a story that was never truly yours. Although it’s deeply personal, I hope listeners can find their own meaning in it, because I think we’ve all experienced moments when we needed to leave something behind in order to move forward.
What was the inspiration behind the cover artwork for “This Is Not My Story?”
The artwork was inspired by the idea of movement and quiet transformation. I wanted the cover to feel open, peaceful, and full of possibility rather than dramatic.
The landscape reflects the emotional journey behind the song – a moment of leaving something behind and stepping into an unknown but more authentic version of yourself. To me, nature has always symbolized freedom, clarity, and new beginnings, so it felt like the perfect visual companion to the music.
I wanted the artwork to feel like the first deep breath after finally letting go of something that no longer belongs to you.
What was the creative process like when making “This Is Not My Story?”
The creative process was very intuitive. I rarely sit down with a finished plan. Most of the time, a song begins with a feeling, a simple melody, or an interesting sound that catches my attention. From there, I slowly build the world around it.
Because I write, produce, arrange, and develop my music independently, I have the freedom to let each song evolve naturally. “This Is Not My Story” went through many small changes before everything finally clicked into place. I spent a lot of time experimenting with textures, synths, and vocal layers to create an atmosphere that felt intimate, cinematic, and emotionally honest.
For me, producing isn’t just about making a song sound good – it’s another way of telling the story. Every sound has a purpose, and I don’t stop until the music feels exactly the way I imagined it emotionally.
How long did it take to complete “This Is Not My Story?”
From the first idea to the final master, it took about six weeks. Since I write, produce, arrange, and develop my music independently, every stage takes time. I like to live with a song for a while, listening to it from different perspectives and making small changes until it feels emotionally complete.
I’m not interested in rushing the process just to finish quickly. I’d rather spend extra time refining the details if it helps the song communicate exactly what I want people to feel.
What is your favorite lyric in “This Is Not My Story” and why?
My favorite lyric is, “I just needed somewhere to go, you were never really home.”
To me, this line captures the heart of the entire song. It’s not really about another person – it’s about the moment you realize you’ve been searching for a sense of home, comfort, or belonging in someone else, when in reality those feelings have to come from within.
I think many of us spend part of our lives looking for something outside ourselves, believing another person will make us feel complete. This lyric is about letting go of that illusion and understanding that the place you’ve been searching for has been inside you all along.
What do you hope fans take away from “This Is Not My Story” and your music in general?
More than anything, I hope my music reminds people that they’re not alone. We all go through moments of doubt, change, and searching for where we belong, and I hope my songs can offer a little comfort during those times.
With “This Is Not My Story,” I hope listeners realize that they don’t have to keep living a story that no longer feels true. We all have the ability to let go, start again, and choose a different path, even when it feels difficult.
If someone finishes listening to one of my songs feeling a little lighter, a little more hopeful, or a little more connected to themselves, then I’ve accomplished everything I wanted to achieve as an artist.
What’s next? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?
I’m currently working on my next single, “New Road,” which is planned for release toward the end of September. The exact date hasn’t been confirmed yet, but it will most likely be released in the second half of the month. Right now, I’m focused on the final production, mixing, and preparing all of the visual and promotional materials.
“New Road” is about new beginnings and that beautiful feeling of freedom that comes after you’ve finally let go of something that was holding you back. In many ways, it continues the emotional journey that began with “This Is Not My Story.”
I’m also planning another release in November, so the next few months will be very creative. I always find autumn incredibly inspiring – there’s something about that season that encourages reflection, change, and new chapters. Those are the feelings I naturally gravitate toward when I write music, and I can’t wait to share what’s coming next.
Where can we follow you on social media?
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avdiva_
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@avdiva_
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@avdiva_
Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!
