Close to Me: The Vision, The Process, The Journey.
- Z
- Feb 15
- 2 min read
The journey of Above Velvet Air begins with Close to Me, a song that carries deep personal meaning and sets the tone for what’s to come. As I step into this new chapter, I want to share the story behind the song, the creative process, and my vision for AVA and my future releases.
The Meaning Behind Close to Me
At its core, Close to Me is about longing—an unspoken pull toward something or someone that feels just out of reach. It’s a song of quiet desperation, of wanting to hold on while knowing that time and distance can shift everything. Lyrically, I wanted to capture that feeling of searching for something familiar in the midst of change, mirroring my own journey of stepping into a new artistic space.
The Creative Process
From the start, Close to Me was a personal and hands-on project. I played all the instruments—acoustic guitars, harmonica, synth, piano, and vocals—allowing every part of the song to feel natural and honest. The track was recorded at Kodama Studio, where I worked closely with my good friend KL Dela Cruz as my recording engineer. Having someone I trust behind the console made the process feel effortless, capturing the rawness and emotion I wanted to convey.
After tracking, Emil Dela Rosa took on the mixing and mastering, shaping the song’s final form while keeping the sound as real and unfiltered as possible. There’s nothing overproduced here—just layers that sit right, letting the song breathe on its own.
Beyond the music, I took full creative control of this release. As executive producer, I oversaw everything—from the audio production to the visuals, artwork, and overall presentation. Every decision, from how the song sounds to how it looks and feels, was intentional, making sure it all represents what Above Velvet Air is about.
Above Velvet Air: A New Artistic Chapter
AVA is more than just a name—it’s a space where I can create freely, without expectations or labels. While December Avenue has been a huge part of my journey, this project gives me room to experiment and be more personal with my music.
With Close to Me as the first release, I’m setting the tone for what’s ahead. The next songs will carry that same honesty—stripped down when they need to be, full when the moment calls for it, always driven by what feels right.
Looking Ahead
This is just the beginning. I’ve partnered with Symphonic Distribution to release my music globally, making sure it reaches the right ears. There’s more coming—each song telling its own story, capturing moments I want to share.
I’m excited for you to hear Close to Me and be part of this journey. Stream it, sit with it, and let it take you somewhere. This is just the first step, and there’s so much more to come.
– Above Velvet Air
Shot on my old Panasonic camcorder, the Close to Me lyric visualizer is made up of clips from different places in Liverpool and London—just moments I captured along the way. It’s raw, unfiltered, and holds the same feeling as the song.
Watch it now and let it take you somewhere. Premiering now. 🎥✨