The Birth of a Band: Introducing LaVa Girls
Written by Colin LaVaute
I can’t recall the moment we came up with the name LaVa Girls, but it has been common knowledge in our family that when our daughters Ava (7) and Daisy (6) were ready to form their band, they would be known by that moniker. I do know the date when the idea of their musical group went beyond the hypothetical and came to fruition. On April 27th, 2024 LaVa Girls played their first paying gig a PTA Fun Run at Cosmo Park in Columbia, MO. They warmed up a crowd of about 120 people before the run began and immediately it was apparent that attendees couldn’t get their eyes off of these tiny little musicians. They played three songs and folks set off on the course with the promise of a more extensive set when runners returned.
As folks straggled their way across the finish line, we told Ava that she could start playing again. All of sudden, she seemed apprehensive in a way we hadn’t seen before. It was odd. She has performed at many showcases at her music school with no problem. Was she getting stage fright? Nope. She was disappointed with the amount of people watching her. Not everyone had made it back from the course. She wanted a bigger crowd. I think her wish is about to come true.
I’m writing this blog as a document and announcement to the world: LaVa Girls have arrived. As we approach Father’s Day this weekend, it brings me great joy to announce the official launch of their band.
Before we get into what that means for them and the world of music itself, it is important to take a step back and look at how we got here. I have documented their development as musicians and their education about the history of rock on multiple occasions so far. There was the first time I had Ava on the Big Muddy Music Hour. Then last year I had them both on the show for BMMH’s Father’s Day Special. I have written about and shared on the show multiple times about our own “School of Rock” in which I have shared a different band with the girls each week, playing two songs a day on our way to actual school. Each day I add new songs to their School of Rock playlist. We started with The Beatles, but we’ve also gone through such acts as Nine Inch Nails, Brittany Howard, boygenius, and ELO. The School of Rock playlist now has nearly 500 songs on it. I have written about how their tutelage has lead to some indelible experiences that the girls will never forget. Such as Weezer granting the entire family passes to see them in Kansas City or getting to meet Incubus and even successfully requesting a song.
All of those moments have led to this. We have launched our new website and social pages (links below). As you will see, LaVa Girls already have a handful of shows booked. We are also launching a brand new YouTube series called LaVa Girls React in which the girls watch music videos that they have yet to have seen. Our first episode is up now and features Ava and Daisy reacting to new music by Kings of Leon.
I realize there may be some folks that would look at this and say, “Gee, isn’t that a bit much for little girls?” It needs to be said that we aren’t pushing this path on the girls. Since they knew what a job was, rock star has always been at the top of their desired career path. They want to do this. We’ve told them that if it stops being fun for them they can stop. We’re doing what any parent would do. We’re simply doing our best to set them up for success while showing our support every step of the way.
I don’t know where this journey will ultimately take all of us, but I know that we all look forward to having a blast as long we go down this road together. As long as the LaVaute family has each other to lean on, we’ll be ready to rock at every turn.