Pop/Review Ava Valianti - Running on Empty
Ava Valianti is a multi-talented musician, captivating audiences as a singer-songwriter. Her journey began at the age of nine when she started writing songs and composing music, eventually blossoming into a rising star in the music industry. Surrounded by a rich tapestry of musical influences at home, ranging from the iconic sounds of the Beatles and Elvis Costello to the soulful rhythms of New Orleans jazz, Ava’s artistry is a fusion of diverse inspirations.
With “Running on Empty,” the emotional centerpiece of her debut EP “petunias,” Ava Valianti proves herself a rising force in modern indie pop. The song captures a moment of stillness and exhaustion — the kind that comes not only from sleepless nights and relentless performing, but also from the quiet unraveling of a relationship. Written in a New York hotel room after her first back-to-back live shows, the track reflects that late-night vulnerability, where reflection turns into revelation.
Built on glowing guitar lines, and Ava’s hauntingly tender vocals, “Running on Empty” unfolds with a cinematic grace. The arrangement feels minimal yet expansive, mirroring the hollow space described in the lyrics. Her voice trembles between fragility and strength, perfectly expressing the gradual disappearance of someone once close: “people don’t always leave in one big moment — they fade out in little ways.” It’s a heartbreaking insight, delivered with quiet conviction.
The song encapsulates the entire ethos of “petunias:” finding beauty in what’s easily overlooked. Like the flower that inspired the EP’s title, “Running on Empty” reveals vivid emotion in its simplicity. It’s not about grand heartbreak or dramatic goodbyes, but the slow, invisible erosion of connection.
In this song, Ava Valianti captures something universal — the ache of remembering someone who’s already halfway gone. “Running on Empty” is an exquisite portrait of emotional fatigue and quiet resilience, marking Valianti as a songwriter with rare empathy and poetic depth.