Q&A: Ava McCoy Bridges the Gap Between Childhood and Adolescence in Nostalgic Debut EP ‘Moss On the Ceiling’
FINDING COMFORT IN NATURE AND DAYDREAMS — Ava McCoy explores the journey into adolescence in debut EP, Moss On the Ceiling. A collection of songs that sound like a walk in the forest, the album touches on staying connected to and embracing your childhood self while finding your footing in the adult world. Raised in New York City and currently based in Boston, McCoy is enthusiastic about finding spaces in nature to wander through freely and explores ways to do so within cities.
This merging of metropolis with country is evident in McCoy’s style, as she creates an intriguing blend of indie-folk sounds with pop music. Moss On the Ceiling offers a refreshing and wistful atmosphere, drawing listeners into McCoy’s personal realm of green forests and open countrysides.
Growing up, McCoy found herself deeply immersed in music, ultimately deciding there was no better career path. She was raised around a plethora of unique musical genres, encouraging her to try out a multitude of new songs. Her debut album is a continuation of this dream, pushing her further into pursuing music. By channeling the new experiences that come with navigating college, McCoy’s creative process began to truly evolve alongside and as a result of her departure from her youth.
Following the release of Moss On the Ceiling, McCoy is now focused on a vast range of upcoming projects. Anticipating a powerful year ahead, McCoy is looking forward to graduating college and furthering her creative pursuits through tours and the release of a second EP.
Keep reading for a vulnerable and authentic insight into the world of Ava McCoy, as she takes us through childhood memories and the impact of music creation on her personal life.
LUNA: First of all, congrats on releasing your debut album! I'm curious where the title Moss On the Ceiling comes from?
MCCOY: Thank you so much! It’s so surreal to finally have these songs out in the world. The title was just a phrase that came to me a few years ago when brainstorming album titles, and it felt cool to imagine the world inverted with grass and moss above us rather than below our feet. It also reminds me that nature is everywhere.
LUNA: The lead single for your album, “Sedona,” is all about connecting with nature. Is this something you practice in your own life?
MCCOY: I try my best to connect with nature — even when living in a city. I am currently studying in Boston and find it hard to get outside. My dad lives in a rural part of Connecticut that I usually escape to for the weekend. My whole family is from the West Coast, so I was able to hike, fish, and be in the great outdoors for a lot of my childhood. I love sitting outside among trees and seeing animals migrate and whatnot. It’s the coolest thing to me, and a lot of my family worked in the lumber industry, so I feel particularly connected to nature.
LUNA: Where did the inspiration for the album come from? How did that influence the creative process involved in bringing it to life?
MCCOY: This album was a way for me to process my adolescence and how it affected me going into college. I started to find my stride creatively around [my] sophomore year of college, which allowed me to have a new perspective on things like breakups, infidelity, and feelings of regret. Through writing, I found that I had not yet achieved being my truest self in a world that can feel discouraging and oversaturated at times, which I talk about in “How To Say Anything.” Writing songs constantly — no matter how silly or serious — was super important for me and [for] finding my voice. There are a few songs that didn’t make it onto the album, but they still feel reflective of this time and hold a special place in my heart. Without the rejects, I wouldn’t have known which songs stood out. I learned how to write songs in a way that felt entirely my own on this project. It was so cool to see my vision come to life and have it be received as well.
LUNA: Which song(s) from the album do you feel you have a close connection with?
MCCOY: “Moat” is probably my favorite on the album. It was the first single I released under my name after I took a hiatus from releasing music for a few years. It was one of the first songs I ever made by myself — which was huge for me — and it eventually led to me recording so much more. I recorded it on Logic just with a microphone and guitar while quarantined in central Oregon at the beginning of 2020. I had a perfect view of the Three Sisters mountains, and I made a music video for the song featuring those mountains, some horses, and landscapes around me. “Moat” is about being okay with needing times of seclusion and finding joy in the chaos. This felt very relevant during COVID as well. I was a really animated, social kid, but as time has gone on, I prefer my alone time, and it was something I was ashamed about for a while. I realized, though, that the time I spent with myself was essential to my maturing process, and that it’s okay to live a little recklessly too. My producer, Fletcher Barton, made the song sound like a dream world, and I constantly find myself having quiet moments with that song.
LUNA: Where did your relationship with music begin? How did that evolve into a career in music?
MCCOY: My mom has told me stories about being pregnant with me, and she would dance to music with a good beat to make sure I had rhythm. I have always been surrounded by music and was raised by a family that was very supportive of me pursuing it. I played in many after-school bands, was in choir, took piano lessons, and tried to find any opportunity to play or sing. I was raised on a really diverse catalog of music ranging from Randy Travis to Mary J. Blige and have always been searching for new music. I really and truly have never considered any other life path for myself, and this album was a huge step in me pursuing this dream.
LUNA: What’s your favorite topic to write lyrics about?
MCCOY: A lot of my songs are pretty sad, and they have been a great healing tool. But I think I love writing about childhood memories the most. “Sedona” is all about my childhood and how I grew up in New York City wishing I was in the canyons. I was a huge daydreamer and wrote short stories all the time. On a trip to Sedona, AZ, I wrote a huge short story in my head that basically was my dream life. I want to keep the same excitement and imagination as I get older. I think our most foundational moments in life can happen during childhood, and I try to stay connected to that version of myself as much as possible.
LUNA: How has creating music helped you develop as a person? Who do you think you’d be if you’d pursued something other than music?
MCCOY: Creating music has helped me see the importance and benefit of hard work. Being serious about something creative has helped me become more organized and sure of who I am. It also is amazing to do what makes me feel the most “me.” As my writing style changes and as different genres start feeling more like home, I know I’m growing. I see my life through music and the phases I went through. Each song is an accomplishment and a time capsule of my life. It’s the coolest process ever.
If I wasn’t doing music, I’d probably go to culinary school, study art history, or work with animals. I love cooking — the process is so relaxing to me, and cooking for others is one of my favorite ways to show appreciation. I am always looking for new foods to try. I studied art history in high school for three years and am constantly on Tumblr looking for visual artists I’ve never heard of. It was a fascinating way to approach art and [it] helped me appreciate visual art in the same way I appreciate music. Animals are healers and bring so much to our lives — I would love to work in that field too.
LUNA: What goals do you want to achieve throughout the rest of the year?
MCCOY: This is a huge year for me personally and professionally: I’m traveling a bunch, graduating from college, and moving back home to New York. I’m working on another EP currently, which I’d love to drop before the end of the year. It’s a much heavier, shinier sound — I think these next ones are real earworms. I’ve been working on them with my friends, and it’s been such a blast. I wanna do a small tour once I graduate and drop some merch. I think right now I’m focused on finding my team and continuing to write songs that excite the hell out of me while finding my footing in my freshman year of life.
LUNA: How would you define the overall vibe of your music?
MCCOY: My music is swampy, ethereal, youthful, grounding, and honest. I write music for the simpler moments in life. I want to keep moments alive through song and capture the specific layers of every emotion. My music feels like entering a rainy forest: it can be chaotic, unpredictable, and sad, but it’s an adventure and leaves you feeling one with your surroundings.
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