March 28 2019 – Brit Floyd is a band we started covering in 2012 with their first visit to Toronto. We wrote a detailed review then (read here) where we praised the band and its amazing tribute to Pink Floyd. Since then we have interviewed band members Edo Scordo, Ian Cattell and Damian Darlington. Today we get to honour Eva Avila who is from Canada and has recently joined the band.
Brit Floyd triumphantly returns to Toronto’s Sony Centre on Friday April 5th for a wonderful night of Floyd. This show is a 40 year celebration of The Wall and tickets are available here.
T-Mak World: Eva thank you for your time, can you tell our readers a bit about your background?
Eva: I’m born and raised in Quebec, my dad is peruvian and he is the reason I’m a singer :) He is a self-taught musician and I started singing at age 3, and never stopped. I always knew I wanted to sing professionally. I finally got my official shot at it when winning Canadian Idol in 2006.
T-Mak World: We were very excited when we found out Canadian talent is part of Brit Floyd. How do you feel audiences in various parts of the world (including Canada) react differently to the show, or is it the same awe struck reaction wherever you go?
Eva: Crowds in North America are by far the best audiences! We feed off their energy, so it’s so amazing when they give us tons of it. I would say the UK crowds are wonderful too, they’re just a bit more reserved, less demonstrative ;)
T-Mak World: Arguably the highlight of every show that plays Pink Floyd (including Roger Waters own tours) is “The Great Gig In The Sky”. This is the moment in the show where every other visual and musical distraction stops and the spotlight is solely on the singer who must create the emotional connection with the audience unlike any other in Pink Floyd’s musical catalog. Tell us how it feels for you to be that person and how quickly do you know you have established the bond?
Eva: That song is definitely a very powerful moment in the show. It’s an absolute honour to perform that grand piece of music. the song is about death, so it’s all about conveying the emotion, the cry, the despair, but in a poetic and enchanting way, and without words on top of it!! It’s always a delight to sing. A tough one though!
T-Mak World: I assume you get a standing ovation at the end of that song no matter where you are, is that still as rewarding as the first time you received that reaction?
Eva: Absolutely. I am completely moved whenever I see members of the audience being touched by our performance. It’s equally rewarding to receive feedback afterwards, via social media or at our autograph signing after the show. It warms my heart to know people have felt something thanks to us.
T-Mak World: Other than Great Gig what are the highlights for you personally of the show?
Eva: I’m also an actress, so I have a blast performing the “One of my turns” bit. I also love all the theatrics in the show, including “The Trial”, and I’ll never get tired of the “Comfortably Numb” guitar solo.
T-Mak World: We interviewed Dave Kilminster who is Roger Water’s touring guitarist for over a decade and he revealed to us that he was not a Pink Floyd fan growing up. Were you?
Eva: I was a fan of the well known tunes, (Comfy, Hey you, ABITW) but that’s about it. In 2011, I joined a Pink Floyd tribute show back home in Montreal with a band called Les Vikings, and that’s when I really discovered the universe of Pink Floyd, especially The Wall at first. I can sincerely say now that I am truly a fan, which makes the job even more enjoyable!
T-Mak World: What about you personally, have you ever released any solo material or any plans to?
Eva: I’ve released 2 solo albums with Sony BMG, and my latest EP with Entertainment One, it’s available world wide :)
T-Mak World: Toronto loves Brit Floyd and the show always sells out the Sony Center, so we can’t wait to hear you . Any last words for our readers?
Eva: I’m beyond excited to play TO, I lived there for 7 years so It’s like my second home. I actually used to live around the corner from the Sony Centre! I have tons of friends coming to the show, I’m stoked! It’s gonna be a magical night and I hope everyone has a great time. Shine on! (so cheesy right? lol)
Thanks for the time Eva, it was great to get some insight for the Cana Floyd member of Brit Floyd, and to celebrate your return to Toronto we will be giving away a pair of tickets to the Sony Center show on April 5th 2019
To celebrate the show Brit Floyd has given our readers a chance to win a pair of tickets to the Toronto show! To enter send an email to contests (at) tmakworld (dot) com and include BRIT FLOYD in the subject line and tell us your favorite Pink Floyd song and your name. Bonus entry for liking the T-Mak World Facebook page! Winners will be selected April 3rd.
I absolutely love ? Brit Floyd! They are the greatest tribute band anywhere in the world ? My favorite song is Comfortably Numb especially when Ian does the skit. To see and hear them perform live is definitely the highlight of the year for me!