Exclusive Interview: Ava Della Pietra on Embracing Vulnerability and Late-Night Truths in Her New Single “3am”

From the Broadway stage to the recording studio, Ava Della Pietra has always approached storytelling with a performer’s instinct for emotion and nuance. The rising singer-songwriter first captured audiences’ attention through her work in theater, but in recent years she has been carving out her own voice in pop music—one that blends introspective lyricism with a storyteller’s perspective shaped by years of performance. Her songs often sit in the emotional gray areas of life, exploring the moments when certainty feels just out of reach and vulnerability becomes the most powerful form of connection.

That sensibility is front and center in her newest single, “3am.” The track captures the late-night emotional spiral that many people know all too well—the quiet hours when doubts surface and clarity begins to emerge. Drawing from personal reflection and a simple piece of advice from a friend, the song explores the push and pull of an on-again, off-again relationship and the internal dialogue that comes with realizing something may not be working.

As she continues to balance her studies at Harvard and Berklee while expanding her musical career, Ava finds herself surrounded by an environment that encourages experimentation and growth. In our conversation, she opens up about the maturity in her songwriting, the vulnerability required to share personal stories through music, and how “3am” represents an artist who is becoming increasingly comfortable letting emotional honesty guide her craft.

PC: There’s been such a maturity in your songwriting and sound. What’s played the biggest role in that artistic growth?
Ava: I think the biggest factor has been allowing myself to write more honestly. Earlier on, I think I was a little more focused on making things sound polished or “right,” but lately I’ve been letting the songs be a little messier and more emotionally truthful. I’m more comfortable letting the narrator be flawed or even in denial, which actually makes the stories more interesting to me. Being at Harvard and Berklee at the same time has also played a big role. I’m constantly surrounded by people who are pushing themselves creatively, and that environment and collaboration make me want to keep experimenting.

PC: There’s so much character in your vocals, which feels like an interesting parallel to your theater background. What has that transition been like—going from the stage and being a vessel for someone else’s story to releasing your own?
Ava: Theater definitely shaped the way I approach music. When you perform in a musical, you’re always thinking about character and storytelling, and I think I naturally carried that mindset into songwriting. The biggest difference is that now the stories are my own. On stage, you’re stepping into someone else’s perspective, which is incredibly fun and freeing. With songwriting, the vulnerability is higher because you’re sharing your own thoughts and experiences. But in some ways, it’s the same skill set—it just happens that the character is much closer to yourself.

PC: You’ve got a new single out now. Tell us about “3am” and the inspiration behind the song.
Ava: The inspiration for the song actually came from a moment late at night when I was trying to make a decision, and a friend told me, “Take the night and think it over.” I loved that phrase, so I recorded a quick voice memo of what became the first line of the chorus and then went to sleep. The next morning, I finished the song! It’s about an on-again, off-again relationship that always seems to unravel in the early hours of the morning. Three in the morning felt like the perfect symbol for an unstable relationship because everything feels a little more emotional and unclear at that hour.

PC: There’s a different level of vulnerability you have to tap into as a music artist. How have you been able to access that side of your artistry, and has it ever felt daunting
Ava: I’m pretty much an open book, so I usually don’t struggle too much with being vulnerable in my music! I also treat songwriting almost like a diary—it’s a way for me to process and clarify my emotions. The moments where it can feel a little daunting are when I’m admitting messy or contradictory feelings out loud.

For example, in “3am,” the narrator is basically trying to convince herself that everything is fine, even though she knows the relationship isn’t really working. I think a lot of people have been in that situation where you know something probably isn’t going to last, but you keep hoping it might somehow fix itself. Those complicated emotions are vulnerable to share, but they’re also the ones people tend to relate to the most. That honesty is what makes songwriting meaningful for me.

PC: Often, bodies of work represent the person and artist you are at a given point in time. What does this chapter represent for you, and what are you hoping to say through your craft?
Ava: I feel like this chapter is about exploring bigger themes and weaving together a lot of different experiences I’ve had. I love writing songs that make people feel something complicated or even a little conflicted, because that’s often how real emotions work. At the same time, I usually like there to be some kind of resolution by the end.

With “3am,” I hope the song helps people feel less alone and reminds them to trust themselves when they sense something might not be right, even if they’re not quite ready to face it yet. It’s easy to stay in situations out of habit or comfort, and that applies to more than just relationships. Sometimes growth simply comes from pausing, reflecting, and trusting your instincts.

PC: As we look ahead to the rest of 2026, what does the year hold for you? What can you tease?
Ava: I’m really excited about the music I’m working on right now. I’m heading to LA soon to record more songs—hopefully an EP!—which I’m really looking forward to. At the same time, I’m continuing to study at Harvard and Berklee, and being in that environment constantly inspires new ideas and collaborations. This year, I’m hoping to keep releasing new music and performing, and I can’t wait for people to hear what’s coming next!

To keep up with Ava, follow her on X, Instagram, Spotify, and Apple Music. Listen to “3am” wherever you stream music.

Photo Credit: Georgia Nerheim