Avril Lavigne says she knows exactly why Billie Eilish is so successful.
“We’re in a time now where people want real, and they want authentic and they can read past the bulls**t,” she told Billboard. “That was something I always stood my ground on, and I always fought to be true to myself. And she’s an artist who is very much herself, and also extremely talented – and that’s why it’s working for her.”
Eilish has made no secret of the fact that she’s a fan of Lavigne, and the 34-year-old Canadian is flattered.
“It’s an honour any time – especially someone as talented and cool and creative as Billie – mentions that I’ve had an impact on their music career,” she said.
“My approach was always just like, I’m going to be myself, write the songs that I want to write, dress how I want to dress – because when I entered the industry, everyone was showing their bellies and had a bunch of dancers around them and were bubblegum pop, and I was so different. I was dressing in Dickies and Converse and like a dude, and playing loud guitar in my songs.”
As part of Lavigne’s Head Above Water tour, she will play a sold-out show at Toronto’s Meridian Hall on Oct. 6. After years of living with Lyme disease, the singer said she is still getting used to being back on stage.
“It’s funny, I’m relearning, but it’s total muscle memory,” said Lavigne. “I’m like, ‘Wait, it goes like this, right?’ Then without even trying I’m like, ‘It’s right here.’”
Lavigne admitted she has a TelePromTer on stage… “just in case.”