Tamar Haviv
12th Annual Social Action Song Nominee
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Record Label: Self-Released
www.tamarhaviv.com
Home Base: Hell’s Kitchen, NYC
Genre: Singer/Songwriter
Categories Entered: Sing Out For Social Action
Work Submitted: “The Good Has Won”
Artists Featured: Tamar Haviv
Label: Unsigned
Describe your nominated work: The song, ‘The Good Has Won’ was written by myself and Julia McKinnis. I feel it is a song that calls out to the goodness and kindness in all people, describing the subtle & tender ways we can show up more for ourselves and then ultimately more for others – compassionately- and with the best intentions.
Who are your influences?: Wow, there are so many. I’m bound to forget a bunch, but at the moment the artists who feel closest to my heart are: Amy Ray, Dan Bern, Ani Difranco, Leonard Cohen, The Indigo Girls, Rufus Wainwright, Shamsi Ruhe, Joni Mitchell, Tracy Chapman, Dar Williams, Suzanne Vega , the work of Miranda July & Ira Glass at This American Life.
How did you raise the funds for this project? How long do you expect it will take to recoup your out-of-pocket recording expenses?: I had a Kickstarter campaign and everyone was amazing! It was the first time I really put it out there – letting people know how much making this album meant to me and asking them for their support. It was really scary actually. But the amount of people and love that came through – I am still floored and humbled by my fans, friends & family.
Ah, recouping … Well, if the new record really gets out there then that will happen faster!
Why did you choose to submit this work to The 12th IMAs?: Firstly, I LOVE the IMA’s! They are a brilliant organization doing incredible things to support independent artists who don’t always get the chance to be heard. I feel that the lyrics of this song are quite simple – but I hope they might have a lasting effect. Maybe someone will pick up on the line, ‘If we keep our smiles for only those we like, we could be stomping on the best days of our lives…’ and actually take a second to let themselves connect with a possible stranger or someone they might have overlooked or judged in the past. We are all moving together in this world day by day and it can be so easy to get stuck inside our own heads…maybe we can look up more, make eye contact, you know, stop wars.
What’s your definition of success and how will you know when you’ve achieved it?: If someone hear’s something in a song that they are able to receive, to really take in, something that feeds them and nourishes them in some way…something that help’s them get through a hard time. That it what song’s have done for me and if my own song’s can lend that comfort to someone else – that is success.
Of course I would also love for a song of mine to be played on my favorite radio stations..to perform at some of my favorite music festivals..be able to open up for my favorite artists…travel far to perform in some of my favorite international locations…so, you know…a marriage of favorites 🙂 I think any of those things would help me realize that I am achieving my dreams.
Who’s sitting in your audience and what makes your fans unique?: My fans are awesome! I think many of them, like myself, wear their hearts on their sleeves a bit. They are kind, sensitive people who can find humor/absurdity and beauty in the day-to-day. They speak out for what they believe is right, even when it’s really hard – and if they don’t, they are working towards being able to one day. They are queer/straight/all genders/ages – They are sometimes awkward and always beautiful and imperfect in their own way.
How will you leverage your IMA honors to achieve your career goals?: I feel humbled to have been nominated for an IMA Award. I am letting everyone know about this exceptional organization and competition. I hope to be included in as many IMA Events as possible and support other nominated artists as well.
What is your guilty pleasure on the road?: Guilty pleasure….taking photographs and making small films of my band-mates and passersby. Also, I like to have secret hand-shakes and pre-performance rituals of that sort.
Are there any songs you wish you wrote and why?: At the moment I would say, ‘Love Interruption’ – Jack White / Ruby Amanfu, more due to its feel/raw energy/passion/ than anything else. It just brings me as a listener THERE pretty immediately, it gets in deep.
What artists are you listening to that would surprise your fans?: Truth be told I have been listening to a lot of country music lately – I’ve really been appreciating the songwriting that is showcased on TV’s, ‘Nashville’. Also, country is always fun to sing along to.
How do you discover new music? Do you buy music or are you content with streaming?: I do buy music and I actually really enjoy buying proper albums when I can get a hold of them. I love savoring the record itself from cover to cover…the lyrics/the thank you’s all of it! Recently I have come to know and love a lot of new artists through different people that I am working with musically. Sometimes a producer will reference an artist/band, or a bandmate will make a fabulous mix tape for our tour etc. I have also been going out to see a lot of bands and friends play in NYC. There is a lot of great talent here at the moment.
How will musicians make a living if fans continue to expect music to be free?: Yikes..yea, I’m still figuring out how all of this stuff works. I know for one that I was just lectured yesterday on the importance of paying my electricity bill before investing in creating more recorded musical goodness. These are hard questions! I guess the hope is that people will invest to see live shows and support their favorite artists however they can so that we have tangible means that allow us to keep doing what we feel we were meant to do.
Are digital singles/EPs vs. full albums the future?: Once my debut record ‘you and me without pajamas’ releases (and does EXTREMELY well! ha!,) I will say, then, OK. Maybe it will become more and more of a singles market out there. I know that generally, my newest songs tend to be my favorite ones. So I do see a lot of positive things happening in a Singles/EP world, as artists can turn new work out more quickly, instead of the possibility of songs feeling ‘old-ish’ by the time you go to record them.
That being said, I really treasure full compilations of work. Full Albums are such magical, intimate landscapes of a specific period of time and emotion in one’s life.
Finish this sentence: The music industry is…kicking my arse!
What do you have in the works for the upcoming year?: My hope is to promote the release of my debut record and tour regularly this fall and throughout 2014. I am very excited to book a College tour as well & create a strong team around me to promote these songs, and start contributing to amazing organizations & fun events on the road! The best is yet to come…
URLs:
www.tamarhaviv.com
www.facebook.com/tamarhavivmusic
www.twitter.com/tamarhaviv
www.youtube.com/user/tamarhaviv