Ones2Watch Home

Photo by Alex Mohammed

Aren’t we always chasing a shimmering horizon, something visible but not yet tangible, a collision of what's real, perceived and desired? On his debut album, Mirage, the sultry, smoky-voiced Avenoir brings the ethereal into focus, an album that breathes, speaks, then arcs into delightful emotional review, a morning sun cresting, bringing more warmth with each review. Born in South Africa, migrating to Canada at an early age, Avenoir really popped onto our radar during the pandemic, and we’ve been pleasantly startled by his musical efforts ever since. Wanting to appreciate this growing star’s album in depth, we dialed him up to learn more about his journey, the future and whats on the edge of that mirage:

OnesToWatch: Why are you an artist? 

Avenoir: Growing up, I was never really the most expressive. So music felt like one of the only natural ways for me to be honest with my feelings. It’s how I tell the stories of my life. I was also largely inspired by my mom. She was always telling me to sing, and said I had a good voice, even though I thought I couldn’t sing at first. I was just a pianist. But she kept pushing me to sing. But then when the world shut down for the pandemic, all I had to do was stay inside and sing and play piano. So that’s when I took it seriously, because of her. 

Okay, I wouldn't wish this upon you, but let’s just say all your prodigious musical talent is removed. You can longer perform or sing and share your feelings. What would you do? Do you have a plan B?

I'm not going to lie. I don’t have one. I can't really imagine a life outside being able to create music. I guess maybe I’d be a computer scientist?

Whoa, what a little side quest that is. 

I was in computer tech before, but it was never my thing for real. 

Are you into programming? What is it that you did? 

A little bit. I was just a back end guy. I don't have passion for that though like I do for music. 

Let's get into the music a bit. When did you first write music with the intent of releasing it?

First time ever was 2022.
It was right after a breakup. I found a YouTube beat with my brother. That was the first time I wanted to write a song and put it out with the hopes that she’ll hear it and catch some feelings again, you know? 

So you laid a trap and then the next thing you know, you're a successful musician. 

I guess. 


That's not an enormous amount of time, but if you could say anything has changed in your songwriting since then, what would you say it is? 

A lot of that has changed. I used to write very differently – I wrote poetry, so a lot of imagery and visual training. I would wake up and instead of going on my phone I would open my notes app and write the first thing I smelled that day, or the first thing on my mind. Then when it comes to songs, I would jot down concepts or the ideas for stories I would like to tell in the future. And then whenever I found a beat, I would have ideas to match them with. Now, I’ve turned into more of a melodically oriented guy. I think it's a good thing, too, because I need to find a balance of being able to hear a beat, a catchy melody, and putting words to that melody. 

What does your songwriting process look like? 

More recently, I've been doing a lot of melody writing first. I’ll just hum something in a voice memo, then go back later and add words. 

Then let's dive into why we're here, your beautiful record. I love the actual artwork of the album. Where did that come from? 

It came from this painter. She's from Europe, her name is Angelina. The first time I saw her work was two years ago, she repainted Blonde by Frank Ocean and I remember thinking that I want her to paint my cover in the future. I reached out for my EP, but she didn’t, and then a year later we became friends on Instagram and that was my moment. 

What is Mirage about? What made you choose that as the album title? 

Mirage represents the phases I was going through the past year. It’s a reminder to myself to see things as they truly are. Certain things in my life would almost be an illusion of fine, or I would be persuaded by something’s face value – whether it be a relationship or career move. I needed to learn how to accept change. That’s mainly what it was about. I had a habit of always seeing the good in things, and overwriting bad things that I noticed with illusions of good. Mirage is about overcoming that. 

What motivates you to keep going then? 

Good question. I do it for myself. 

Is that maybe what changed in you? That you’re more comfortable being motivated from within? 

Yeah, 100%. Even just with music in general, my goal is now to be the greatest artist that I can be, just do my absolute best. 

I love that. If everything works out the way you want it to work out for this album, what does that mean for you? Where does that take you? 

My number one thing is that I'd be very grateful. You know when it's your birthday? And you can’t tell if you’re happy or sad? I would feel like that, if the album works out the way I want. I’d feel that, but at the same time I’d be grateful that enough people related to what I was writing about and connected with me through that. 

Beautiful. If you could perform this album in full, anywhere in the world, with anyone, dead or alive, where would it be and with whom? 


Hmm. I would perform this album in New York with Frank Ocean and Michael Jackson.

Where would you do it? 

It would be a festival, somewhere open. 

Gov Ball 2026 let’s make it happen. What's your worst idea on the album? And how did you get rid of it? 


Damn. It was on the first song, “Paradise,” right before the hook, there was a hook that echoed a word, and every time I heard it, it cringed me out. 

What's the best idea on the album and how did it come about? 

I think the best idea is “Art of War.” 
That started out with me writing about love through the key of war, based on ideas from Sun Tzu's book. I heard the beat a month after I wrote the song, and it just fit perfectly together. That’s my favorite song on the project. Just because of the writing. 


Okay, beautiful. You're taking the boys out for a night of celebration. What do you guys do? Where do you go? 

We're going to this Japanese grill we like. We’re eating for two hours and going home. 

If you could travel to any place on Earth and set up, live there, be inspired, do whatever. Is there a place you'd want to go? Is there somewhere you've never been that you've been dreaming of? 


I would go back to South Africa. I haven’t been since we came to Canada when I was five years old. I’d go back to Cape Town. I feel like I could fit right into South Africa because of the mountains and you can see the sea and be inspired. 

I would love a couple of recommendations from you. First, I’d love a non-music recommendation. It can literally be anything, a book to read, a place to visit, exercise, anything you want. 

I would say read the Wheel of Time. That is a really good book. I'm reading it right now. I started it two months ago. I finished the show on Amazon. Last episode, third season was crazy, but yeah, it's a really good story. 

Second, I’d love a music recommendation. We love when artists put us on to other rising artists. 

EBEN, he's from Edmonton. 

Amazing. I’d love to end on some advice, wisdom, a joke if you got it, whatever. 

I think I'll go with advice. Not to be too cliche, but, when I first started music, I was always looking for the ways I can really be heard and get my stuff out there. One of the number one things, I learned was to just be consistent. I think people write that advice off too quici, because if you’re truly consistent and true to yourself, you’ll get somewhere. 

Appreciate you man. Thanks for chatting! 

Thank you.