Ava Claire Finds Beauty in the Breakage with “Salt Mine”

Singer-songwriter Ava Claire releases her new single, “Salt Mine,” out today. Solely written by Ava herself, this vulnerable, introspective ballad traces the evolution of a young woman moving from simply existing in circumstances to fully embracing her destined path.

LISTEN TO “SALT MINE” HERE. 

“I was at a transition of sorts in my life. I was 16, starting to apply to colleges, graduating high school early, writing constantly, and playing as many gigs as I could book. One particularly stressful day, I just looked around and asked myself, ‘What am I doing?’ ‘Would I be happier on another path?’ ‘Should I move to Montana and write songs in a cabin in the woods?’ Salt Mine was born in that moment,” Ava shares.

Ava Claire has been a storyteller since she first set poems to music at age eight. After teaching herself guitar via YouTube and making her Music Row debut at the iconic Bobby’s Idle Hour at just 11, she has spent the last decade carving out a space for herself in the heart of Music City.

Her songwriting blends the lyrical depth of Jason Isbell and Phoebe Bridgers with the melodic sensibilities of Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran, crafting smart, authentic narratives that resonate deeply with listeners. Her talent has earned her “three yeses” and a trip to Hollywood Week on American Idol, as well as a rare selection as one of only 11 students nationwide for the Songwriter Track at GRAMMY Camp.

Now a songwriting student at Belmont University, Ava regularly performs at iconic Nashville venues including the Bluebird Cafe and The Listening Room. Beyond the stage, she is a passionate advocate for music education, dedicating five years to a Nashville non-profit teaching songwriting and refurbishing instruments for underserved youth—a program recently featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show.

“Salt Mine” showcases Ava Claire’s ability to craft music that tells stories while connecting hearts, offering a song that is both a reflection and a rallying cry for anyone seeking their own path.

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