It’s common to see college students briskly walking to their next class with headphones on. Music is a central piece of college culture — from “darty” playlists to alma maters — but few students take the initiative to release music of their own. This isn’t the case for singer-songwriter Ava Neal SC ’28, who dropped her folk album “Upstream” on Aug. 30.
With a total of eight songs, Neal’s debut folk album features lyrical writing and melodic harmonies. The album art, which depicts Neal’s body transforming into a branching stream, is a nod to the central theme of her album: the unpredictable river of life.
Over the course of working on this album for several years, Neal’s creative approach has been influenced by her philosophy major and writing classes. From guitar to violin to varied vocal performances, “Upstream” explores a diverse musical landscape.
“It’s the river of fate and circumstances,” Neal said “All the things that lead people to where they end up: That’s the current. The way you were raised … the events that led you to where you are [is]the river. When you’re able to dig your feet in and go upstream, I find that to be the strongest thing imaginable.”
Neal described how, in releasing this album, she felt like she released herself.
“Upstream” is centered around personal experience, but Neal hopes its melodies and mission will feel universal to both listeners and those who assisted her with the album. Working with a wide range of creatives and supporters, from fellow students to French producers, helped bridge the concepts of persistence and acceptance that young adults face.
For Neal, this collaboration makes the creative process feel healing and inspiring.
Songwriter Katherine Lurie SC ’27 assisted Neal as a background vocalist during production after initially meeting her through the 5C acapella group One Night Stanza. Lurie expressed her admiration of Neal’s vulnerability.
“[The album] feels very much representative of the point [Neal is] at in her life,” Lurie said. “The biggest thing is that, especially with music, people generally have gone through what you’ve gone through and they understand it.”
Neal wasn’t actively seeking widespread approval. She spoke to her hope that listeners will empathize with and understand the intention of her work.
“[Music] just makes me feel much less alone, and all I want to do is give that to others: [To] be another touchstone during a rough time,” Neal said.
“[Music] just makes me feel much less alone, and all I want to do is give that to others: [To] be another touchstone during a rough time,” Neal said.
Even when it seemed insurmountable, taking the time to perfect the craft of songwriting was crucial. Sometimes the words were congruent but not comprehensive, or the melody was missing what would make it truly reflective. “Upstream” reflected that battle of self-doubt and the impossible task of perfecting music. Still, existing isn’t flawless and neither is creating. Neal emphasized the need to keep pushing through.
“I always think of [songwriting] as a tap that you have to run until it’s clear,” Neal said. “So you might have it blocked up [by] self doubt or too much outside influence. I just run the tap, I write.”
By having the courage to be free and explorative, Neal showcases the beauty of not knowing — and being okay with that.
Mara Welch SC ’28, a classically trained violinist who contributed to “Upstream,” learned how to embrace the freedom of music beyond meticulousness. She especially embraced the role of improvisation in her collaboration with Neal.
“For me, music has mostly been about learning notes to perfection,” Welch said. “However, playing with Ava has allowed me to be a lot more free with my music.”
She emphasized the role of improvisation in her collaboration with Neal.
It was difficult to avoid the college environment’s constant game of comparison, but Neal highlighted that creative communities are a mode of inspiration and community.
“If I thought this much, felt this much, and I couldn’t write songs, I would explode,” Neal said. “It’s my way of synthesizing and digesting what I [learn].”
“Upstream” demonstrates that art and music can allow anyone to work through the unavoidable upstream battles of young adulthood and resist the river of expectations.
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