Interview by Carolina Benjumea
Back then, when the iPod was introduced for the first time, smartphones weren’t really a thing, Instagram was an unknown field, Myspace was the go-to website for mirror selfies, and Velour tracksuits were trending, there was already Avril Lavigne. Those who were fortunate enough to be teenagers during the 2000s sang Complicated at the top of their lungs, shed tears while listening to I’m With You, fell in love with a Sk8er Boi, sported hot-pink and black sock-arm accessories, and proudly wore black eyeliner under their eyes. Avril Lavigne left an indelible mark on every facet of millennial teenagers’ lives. Credited with pioneering the pop-punk genre, she defied the typical pop star archetype, instead embodying your average teenager: cool, edgy, rebellious, unapologetic, and vulnerable.
She went viral before the concept of virality even existed, as “Girlfriend” became the first music video to surpass 100 million views on YouTube. Additionally, she holds the Guinness World Record as the youngest female solo artist to reach the top of the UK chart. Recognized as the “Teen-Pop Slayer,” she boasts an impressive history of accomplishments. Selling close to 50 million albums worldwide, receiving eight GRAMMY® Award nominations and wining eight Juno Awards, Avril became third bestselling Canadian female artist of all-time. Her catalog comprises the septuple platinum Let Go [2002], triple-platinum Under My Skin [2004], double-platinum The Best Damn Thing [2007], gold-selling Goodbye Lullaby [2011], gold-selling Avril Lavigne [2013], and Head Above Water [2019].
As Avril Lavigne continues to evolve her lyrics to reflect her own life and the experiences of her fanbase, keeping her edge and signature punk-rock vibes, her influence is still felt by younger generations. Today, Gen-Z is discovering her iconic songs and finding resonance in the same experiences that resonated with their Millennial counterparts. While Millennials have grown up, have corporate jobs, some even a family life, Avril’s teenage anthems still evoke memories of first loves and heartbreaks. Listening to one of her songs is like being transported back to the magical era of Y2K, the only difference now is that instead of playing Complicated on our CDs, we simply say, “Alexa, play Complicated.”
We had the opportunity to speak with Avril Lavigne about her career, her timeless songs, and the reasons why, after 20 years, she continues to hold the title of the “Teen-Pop Slayer”.
You have had such a successful career, but please tell us the story of how did you start singing?
As a young child, I started singing at church, school plays, theater, and country music at country fairs in my small town in Canada, and this is where I really first fell in love.
Your music played an important role during the 2000s. Hits like Sk8er Boi, Complicated, or Girlfriendare still significantly iconic for a whole generation, how were you able to create music that stands the test of time and touched so deeply so many young people?
I think these songs stay iconic because they are relatable. When I was writing them, I was just a teenagergoing through my own ups and downs, which were probably really similar to what other people were going through. I wrote about my experiences, my emotions, and the challenges I was facing at the time. Thesesongs captured a moment in time and making it timeless is truly special; getting to watch generation after generation rediscover these songs.
Your first album, Let Go, was released in 2002, and your most recent album, Love Sux, came out in 2022. That’s 20 years in the business! How has your music matured or evolved over all these years?
My music has matured because I have matured. I love looking back on my past albums because it is like atime capsule for what I was going through at the time. With “Let Go,” I was a rebellious teenager full ofenergy and angst. On my second album, “Under My Skin,” I was able to dive deeper into my emotions, it was a bit darker and allowed me to really connect with my fans. Most recently, with “Love Sux,” I was writing an album as someone who had experienced love, heartbreak, and all the emotions in between. Every album is a musical transformation, but what threads everything together is my commitment to authenticity. As I close out my Love Sux era, I am really excited to start what’s next.
How has your fanbase changed over the years?
I have really been lucky to be able to grow up with my fans, because when I started, they were the same age as me! We were all teenagers connected over this edgy and relatable music. It was also a really special time because with the rise of the internet, my fans were able to connect with other fans all over the world. I know a lot of people were able to make friends at my shows and stay connected over the internet to continue to share their passion. My fans are truly the best, and they have unwavering dedication and passion for everything I do. I really would not be here, 20 years later, without ‘The Black Stars.’
Please tell us about Love Sux, what was your inspiration for this album?
Love is such a universal feeling, and we all go through its ups and downs. This album reflects the raw emotions that come with navigating all facets of love. Whether it is dealing with a breakup, feeling lost, orfinding empowerment after heartache, I wanted this album to capture those vulnerable moments and turn them into upbeat anthems. Musically, I wanted to create an album that had live guitars and drums. I was super inspired by everyone I was collaborating with and had a lot of fun creating this album. It was produced byTravis Barker from Blink 182 and John Feldman from Goldfinger, two very cool legendary artists in the punk rock community that I am lucky to now call my friends.
For your Love Sux Album you collaborated with Machine Gun Kelly, Blackbear, Mark Hoppus. Haveyou ever considered exploring other genres of music, maybe a dream collaboration with a very different artist?
I’m always up for exploring new collaborations and pushing boundaries when it comes to my music. I justcame back from Nashville and spent some time with Miranda Lambert, and am really looking forward to spending more time with her in the future. She is fucking rad, down to earth, and has such a passion for her music. She is a phenomenal songwriter. Plus, I am a huge fan of country music. I love connecting withother artists and seeing where our time in the studio takes us. Whether the next collaboration is another rock artist, or a completely different genre, I am open as long as they share my love for creating and for music.
If I’m not mistaken, you write your own Can you describe your creative process when you’re in the songwriting mode?
You are absolutely right! I love writing my own songs, and working in the studio is one of my happy places. Itusually starts with a concept that pops into my head at random times in my life, and I put it in my phone. I’mlegit always jotting notes down. Sometimes I am working on one song and then I get hit with inspiration for a whole new one. Then, I’ll either sit down with a guitar or the piano and start working through the song and call up one of my producers to get it started. Lately I have really enjoyed collaborating with other artists and songwriters. It is so special to bounce ideas around, push the boundaries of my creativity, and really exploredifferent perspectives with other talented people.
Throughout your extensive career, you must have had many incredible Could you share one of the most memorable moments from your career?
There are so many incredible moments from the last 20 years. My most recent memorable moment was receiving my star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame last August. I had so many of my friends out to the ceremony, like Machine Gun Kelly, John Feldman, and so many others. There’s a picture of me from one ofmy first times in Hollywood lying next to a star wearing a sweatshirt that says “Skateboarding is Not a Crime,” and I still have that sweatshirt today. I wore it at the ceremony! It really was full circle.
What does the future hold for Avril Lavigne? Are there any upcoming projects or plans that you can share with us?
While I can’t share too much yet, I am really excited about what the future holds. I am constantly writing and creating new music, so I’m working through what that looks like. In addition to that, I’m consistently exploring new creativeventures and embracing new opportunities to grow as an artist. I’m really excited about two upcoming film projects, the Sk8er Boi Movie and a documentary. Just kno