We Speak Music
AVARA Unleashes New Single ‘don’t you wait’
With her latest single ‘don’t you wait’, AVARA cements her status as one of 2025’s most exciting breakout stars. The 20-year-old singer-songwriter delivers a track that feels like the musical embodiment of golden hour — all soft edges, warm textures, and an undercurrent of emotional urgency. It’s the kind of song that feels destined to soundtrack summer romances and late-night drives alike.
From the opening line, AVARA’s voice cuts through like a breeze on a humid day — breathy, evocative, and emotionally charged. Her unique vocal phrasing draws you in, but it’s her storytelling that keeps you there. The lyrics feel intimate yet universal, brushing up against longing, anticipation, and the ache of desire left unanswered.
Sonically, ‘don’t you wait’ is an absolute triumph. The marriage of Afrobeats grooves and jazz-tinged instrumentation (that sax solo!) with polished pop production creates something that feels both luxurious and laidback. It’s rhythmic without being rushed, cinematic without being overstated. Think SZA meets Elyanna on a rooftop in Barcelona.
There’s also a strong sense of creative intent here. From the Amsterdam-crafted cover art with its symbolic orange flowers to the finely layered vocals in the chorus, AVARA proves she’s not just chasing hits — she’s building a world. Every detail, down to the pacing of the bridge, feels considered and artfully placed.
If ‘lose my mind’ was the spark, ‘don’t you wait’ is the full flame. This isn’t just another summery single — it’s a defining moment for a new pop era. AVARA isn’t waiting on anything, and after hearing this, neither are we.
We Speak Music
Canadian Jazz Vocalist Heather Ward Releases New Album Gilded & Silver, A Tribute to Musical Mentors and Legacy
Following the success of her debut solo album Honeysweet, Canadian-born, Seattle-based jazz vocalist Heather Ward returns with a luminous new collection, Gilded & Silver. The album is available now on all major streaming platforms.
“I had several tracks still in the can after releasing Honeysweet,” Ward explains, “so I decided to add a few more and release a second album.” With this spirit of continuity and creativity, Gilded & Silver emerged — blending original compositions with artful arrangements, and once again showcasing Ward’s nuanced voice and deep musical roots.
Once again, Heather partnered collaboratively with Dave Houghton, and recorded under the expert mixing of Ben Lange at Lange Recording Studios. The ensemble includes John Hansen and Aidan Ward-Richter (who also helped reharmonize several tunes) on piano, Moe Weisner and Shaina Ward Siegel on bass, Luca Cartner on drums, with Kate Olson and Jory Tindall on saxes and flute, and Carey Rayburn on trumpet.
The album’s title is drawn from a lyric in one of Ward’s originals, “Into the Music,” a song written in tribute to her Canadian jazz mentor, Hugh Fraser, and her uncle, Joe Edmonds — both of whom passed away from cancer during the pandemic. “Hugh often said, ‘I’m just so into the music,’” recalls Ward. “This track honors both him and my uncle Joe, who were huge musical influences on me.
Ward’s journey from visual arts to jazz began while performing at gallery openings, which led her to formal music studies at Vancouver Community College and Capilano University, where she earned a degree in Jazz Performance. She has trained with legends like Sheila Jordan, Jay Clayton, and Hugh Fraser through programs including the Banff Centre for the Arts and the Vancouver International Jazz Orchestra Workshops.
Since relocating to Seattle in 1997, Ward has made her mark as a performer, voice teacher, and mentor. She teaches privately as a member of NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) and regularly performs at jazz venues, cabarets, and theater productions throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Gilded & Silver stands as both a celebration of personal artistry and a heartfelt homage to the teachers and loved ones who shaped Ward’s musical life.
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