Avril Lavigne

For as long as I can remember, my career has been about music. I can distinctly remember the first time I got the guts to walk into a music store and asked for help. I had no idea what kind of instrument I should buy to start my solo career. After helping me find my way around the store, the owner said to me, “Well, it’s pretty obvious that you have a talent for music, so why don’t you consider being a music instructor? You’d be good at it.” Needless to say, my future in music was set.

Over the years, I continued to play guitar and compose songs, and I also worked for several reputable music stores in my hometown as an assistant manager. I had my own key account, which is when an employee has their own unique account for purchases in case they lose their ID. It was a dream come true to make all my favorite songs available for everyone to enjoy for the first time. These days, I continue to be passionate about music and its power to bring people together. I feel lucky to have been able to do that throughout my entire career.

My New Album Details & Some Background On The Songs

I can still remember the exact moment I knew I wanted to work on my own album. It was sometime last year, and I decided to take a little vacation to Thailand. On one of the last days of my trip, I played my guitar in the grass outside of my hotel room. All of a sudden, I felt this wave of creativity wash over me. I knew I had to get back to my hotel and start writing, immediately. When I returned to the States, I was determined to make the best album of my career and prove to myself and the world that I still had what it takes.

It took me about a year to complete the album. I originally thought of calling it “Avril,” but my manager’s wife suggested that I change the name to “Don’t Tell My Hand I’m In Good Shape.” I’m not exactly sure why she thought that was a good idea. From the moment I listened to it, I knew it was the right choice. The songs on this album are all about me – the good, the bad, and the ugly. They’re not afraid to show the dark side of humanity, which is something I’m very passionate about.

Positive Thinking

When I was younger, I never would have thought of myself as a positive thinker. I always felt like I had so much to be thankful for, and I would have happily accepted any gift given to me with open arms. It wasn’t until later on in life that I began to seriously consider the impact that my mindset could have on my emotional well-being and my opportunities. I believe that everyone has something good inside of them, no matter what problems they might be facing. If we can just find the will to believe in ourselves, we can overcome anything.

A Change Of Plans

As I was saying, I didn’t originally intend on calling my album “Don’t Tell My Hand I’m In Good Shape.” I actually spent a year and a half trying to find the right title. I went through several phases, but eventually, I landed on “A Change Of Plans.” As soon as I heard it, I knew it was the one. The first line of the song “I’m Over” perfectly sums up what this album is all about: “I’m over thinking, over analyzing, and over stressing.” After going through a few changes, I felt relieved and proud to have found the album title that represents me perfectly.

Writing

I started writing most of the songs for the album last year while I was on vacation. I would sit at my desk for hours upon hours, just putting my thoughts down on paper. When I returned home, I had a whole album waiting for me. It was pretty daunting, actually, to have all that music waiting for me, and I was determined to finish it as soon as possible. I believe that good things come to those who wait, so I decided to take my time with this one. I wanted to make sure that each song was as good as it could possibly be, and I truly hope the fans will enjoy it.

Recording

Once I had everything ready to go, I started gathering all the members of my band and our string of guest stars along with me. We started laying down the tracks in my living room, and it was really magical to be able to record in my own home. I had all the instruments, mics, and effects pieces lying around, and it just felt right.

My friend, Kelly McGillivray, from Baltimore, Maryland, traveled all the way to Nashville to sing on this album. We sat down together and talked for hours about music, before she even knew why she was there. Her vocals on the album were really what set it apart. I also recorded several songs with my good friend and former member of the All-American Rejects, Nick Zutautas. He’s come a long way from being in a band that would hang out at my house and practice for hours, drawing inspiration from all the classic rock songs that we loved. He was definitely a gift from God!

What’s Next?

I’m so excited about this album, and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it. I’ve seen some amazing things happen since its release, including a Grammy nomination. I believe that this album will continue to bring me more success and opportunities. I have several tours planned, and I’m already talking about doing an entire Europe fall tour to support this album. So, if you haven’t already, you can bet that your favorite singer-songwriter will be playing a show near you soon! Thanks so much for reading.