Photograph by Stacy Eisenberg Lyle
Billed as a solo artist, Jake Tavill has the sound of a big band. Elements from jazz, blues, pop, and rock blend with soulful vocals and emotion-filled lyrics to create organic music that audiences cannot resist. Collaborations are essential (and fun) for Tavill, who often plays live backed by The Indigo Child Blues Band in New Jersey. The recorded music is stunning, but the bonus to Tavill’s live show is that he features new, un-released songs at each performance. For the audience, it is a special treat, because they get to hear it first.
People are inspiring. Like most songwriters, Tavill finds himself inspired by things most people take for granted. He is drawn to the stories he hears from people he knows, as well as, those he meets by chance. Tavill said, “I try to write from other people’s perspectives and try to use as much empathy as I can to see into other people’s situations.” And that can happen at any time or place for Tavill, who went on to explain, “[Inspiration comes from] reading a novel, watching the news, talking to someone on the train, because all of it interacts and comes together in these little stories.” By listening and understanding shared history from other people, Tavill composes songs that ring true to the listener. The music becomes a real story about real people.
Love is all around. Many of the songs revolve around love and trust, things that are frequently desired, yet elusive to find. The song, “Tryin’ Ain’t Enough” declares, “I’m not giving up on you/Tryin’ ain’t enough/When I know/I’m in love with you.” It is not enough to try once and fail at love, it is more important to keep trying. Relationships are built on more than one attempt at love and require constant nurturing to succeed.
Success does not have a numerical value. While social media statistics are held in high regard to most record labels, Tavill strives for quality over quantity. He stated, “The more people I can touch with my music, the better. I’d rather touch five thousand people with my music and really make a difference in their lives and the way they think, than have a million people listening to my music and have it mean nothing.” The true measure of success for Tavill is in the connection with listeners that find significance in his music.
It pays to be persistent. When it comes to love, it takes a strong will to persevere in the face of denial. The song “I Won’t Go” states, “You know I won’t go/If they drag me away”, leaving the listener cheering for victory. Love can not and will not be denied, no matter how many times it is publicly denounced. The true feelings shine through and endure through protests to the contrary.
Unsigned does not mean unprofessional. Tavill is an independent artist, and as such, takes a hands-on approach to his music. He is a prolific songwriter, often writing up to sixty songs for each album. Together with his producer, they go through each song and choose which ones will be the best. Tavill is an expert keyboard player, but would like to learn how to play the guitar also. From booking shows to hiring musicians, Tavill must see to every detail of his career. The end result is a polished, professional sound that mirrors his dedication and attention to detail. He is currently working on a new album and will release details as they become available.
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