Interview by Carol Wright | Photographer: Katherine Angelique
We got to chat with singer/songwriter Ada Pasternak about when she discovered her passion for music and working on her song “Grow Older.”
When did you discover your passion for creating music?
I discovered my passion for creating music at Berklee College of Music when I began improvising and songwriting.
Who are some musicians that inspire you?
Some musicians who inspire me are The Beatles, Freddie Mercury, Stevie Wonder, John Mayer, also classical composers such as Tchaikovsky and Mendelssohn, and Russian Folk Music that my mom sings!
Tell our readers about “Grow Older.” What story are you telling through the song?
I wrote “Grow Older” at my parents house in CT about a year ago. I was dating a guy at the time and I guess I was thinking about him and wondering where it’s going…A few months later we broke up and I met the love of my life.
Was it therapeutic to work on “Grow Older?”
It was definitely therapeutic to write “Grow Older,”especially because the second verse is about my parents.
There have been numerous ups and downs in the music industry due to the pandemic. How have you kept yourself feeling creative during this time?
Luckily I have been creative throughout the Pandemic. I’ve written some of my best music thus far, released two music videos and have done numerous Zoom shows and livestreams. At the start of the pandemic I started a virtual songwriter showcase called “Song4Song” where I go LIVE on Instagram with a different musician each week and we exchange two songs each, four songs total. It’s always a good time and I’m still doing it.
What advice do you have for aspiring musicians?
My advice for aspiring musicians is to make music from the heart and not worry about anything else. The industry can get you down and it’s easy to get lost in a sea of musicians, so just stay focused on doing what you do best and don’t compete with anyone. Everyone is different, so be uniquely YOU and always do your best.