Freshly Pressed – Avalon Stone “Cliffhanger”

Canadian artist Avalon Stone has just released her latest single, “Cliffhanger” – a dramatic alt rock track that deals with the turmoil of toxic relationships, and the decision whether to stay or go. We caught up with Avalon to chat about the new music, her songwriting process, and the coolest show she’s played thus far. 

From The Strait: Tell us about the new single, “Cliffhanger.”

Avalon Stone: “Cliffhanger” is all about that moment of intense indecision—you’re on the edge, holding on, but unsure if you should let go or keep fighting. It’s a continuation of the story I started telling with “Shaking Me Up.” While that song was more about the emotional turmoil of being shaken up in a toxic relationship, “Cliffhanger” captures the moment where you’re torn between staying and leaving. It’s about clinging to something that’s not good for you because the highs were so great, but the lows are brutal. The track has this fierce energy to it—dark, gritty, but with a sense of power in realizing you have a choice, even if it’s a hard one.

From The Strait: Every artist has their own way of creating songs – what is your songwriting process like?

Avalon Stone: My songwriting process is pretty fluid, but it always starts with some kind of emotional spark. Sometimes it’s a melody that hits me out of nowhere, and I’ll grab my guitar and start building around that. Other times, it’s a lyric or a feeling that I need to get out. I tend to let the song guide me. If it needs to evolve, I don’t fight it. All of my songs, like those on “Chained,” came from deeply personal moments. I try to tap into that vulnerability while balancing it with a sound that reflects the intensity of what I’m feeling. For me, the music has to match the emotion. It’s about finding that perfect blend of vulnerability and power.

From The Strait: Which bands or artists are you listening to most right now?

Avalon Stone: Right now, I’m really into Bad Omens and The Warning. Their energy and unapologetic sound hit hard for me. There’s this rawness and intensity in both of their music that I connect with. I’m also still listening to a lot of Alice In Chains. That dark, haunting sound never gets old for me. It’s timeless, and it always seems to inspire something new in me.

From The Strait: Who would you say are your biggest musical influences, and how have they helped to shape your sound?

Avalon Stone: Chris Cornell has always been a huge influence—his voice, his lyrics, the way he could convey so much emotion and depth in his music. He had this way of blending vulnerability with strength, which is something I strive for in my own songs. Alice In Chains, especially their darker, more melancholic stuff, has also shaped my sound a lot. I love how they navigate complex emotions with heavy, distorted guitars. I’m also inspired by bands like Evanescence, The Warning and Halestorm. They’re fearless in their approach, and I admire how they’ve carved out a space for women in hard rock.

From The Strait: What was the coolest (and/or weirdest) live show you’ve ever played?

Avalon Stone: One of the coolest and weirdest shows I’ve played has to be when I did a sold-out gig in Toronto after being awake for 25 hours straight. I had just flown in from Spain, jet-lagged and exhausted. I was so nauseous that I threw up right before going on stage, but somehow, I pulled it together. I played my guitar so hard that my fingers bled all over it. The energy from the crowd was insane, though, and that adrenaline took over. It was one of those moments where you realize how much you’re willing to give to do what you love. Totally surreal, but also one of the most intense performances I’ve ever had.

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Check out “Cliffhanger,” the latest single from Avalon Stone!

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