Meet Chris Avetta | Artist, Musician, Human.

I suppose I should start by saying nothing of consequence is easy. I am definitely an open book about my experiences and why various brands of creativity felt like the correct path to walk down even if road blocks or weeds encumbered my trajectory along the way. I take pride in my process, but I have been known to miss the mark as we all do and despite the cloaked figure of failure looming over my shoulder as I type this even now, I have to do something with this hurricane of feelings. Whether I strike gold the first time or wear away at something with repetition, I can only speak to my own development when I say my work has taken a lot of… work. Go figure. I also find that when you do strike gold, its only because you’ve been spending countless hours in the mines. There were a lot of metaphors in that paragraph lets move on.

I view all individual songs or paintings through an adjacent lens. While every piece or series tells a different story, I do have a few underlying melancholic currents or themes. Living with honesty in a deceptive world while still dreaming of and exemplifying authenticity is hard. Learning to be a better version of yourself is not easy work. Loving someone despite potential pain or failure (ourselves included) is often counterintuitive with how difficult it can be. It’s also the only way to bring beauty into this life without needing any permission. While I use talents I may possess (on a good day) to evoke some sense of connection to those truths, it should be said that it doesn’t take talent, just a lot of nerve, to live with integrity.

Well… If I had a friend in town I think I would start with breakfast at the Encinitas Cafe for continuity if nothing else . Then I’d take this phantom person to Culture Brewing Co. in the afternoon because that’s one of my favorite places to have a delicious beer and I’ve been a bartender there for a minute, so its like another home to me.

Then I would let them choose their own adventure. Shall we go down to North Park and catch a show? Find a place to play some music ourselves? Maybe we watch a strange obscure movie at La Paloma or go to the silver lake market? Play some pool at the Shanty in Cardiff? I am only strangely good at pool every other time I play so it would likely be fun for them to watch me go to pieces trying to accept whichever fate I was destined for this time.

We would do one or all of those things and end our time on the coast. I’ve never really been the biggest fan of the beach during the day. It’s fine but it carries the false peace of place built on the backs of people who so rarely have the privilege to enjoy it.

No, We would wait until dark to find our way to the sand. Not in any spot easily reached, some place hidden where conversations turn into secrets. We don’t stay there forever but the vast black canvas staring at us, undulating almost imperceptibly to the white noise of waves feels like the closest thing to eternity. Did we fall asleep there or did we dust off our toes and go to bed? I’m not sure. Thoughts ignite and dissipate like fireflies and we relive the day in dreams with eyes closed… Wow, Chris I just wanted to know where to eat, relax.

I feel like most creatives know that real strides are only made with a ton of support from community which can mean fans, patrons, or whoever else leans in, even if for just a moment. While I am lucky to have some following, I know that real work is only done because of the people who are closest to me.

I have only made it into adulthood because of my great defender and sister, Tiffany. So I have to give her first credit. When it comes to encouragement and support, she is the first person to help me turn off thoughts of being unworthy for anything and she will argue with my self-consciousness until it crawls away, wounded from her onslaught of positivity. I hope everyone has a person like that in their corner but I’m truly lucky to have known mine for my whole life… They’re playing Gypsy in this diner right now she would love that.

Second I have to shed light on my Nanny family. Abigail, Madeleine, Heather, Tom, Jeanne and Dave. The last decade has been full of so much heartache, introspection and hardships that only became opportunities for growth because of their love. I run every song I’ve written by the two kiddos I am lucky to take care of, and they really give honest and very useful feedback. Kids do not have a problem telling the truth.

When it comes to the “ten & up” section of this family, they have spent the better part of a decade supporting me financially, emotionally, artistically and never judged or gave up on me despite the fact that I didn’t always show up as my best self. They even provided me with a pseudo-scholarship to finish my art degree at UCSD.

I’ve never been a part of a family with such unabashed unconditional, no questions asked, constant love and understanding. They would think I’m being melodramatic (valid) when I say they saved my life but that’s just how it feels to me.