Hi Aliza! Thanks for being here today!
Of course! Thanks so much for having me.
Is it harder to write or produce a song?
For me, production is definitely harder. It takes more time than the writing process because there are so many aspects to consider, like finding the right musicians, instrumentation, and arrangement. Writing, on the other hand, comes very naturally and I can do it while I drive, walk, or when I’m hanging out and jamming.
Do you ever experience writer’s block? What do you do to get over it?
Sure, all the time. The best way to get over it is to just go for a long walk or drive and get out of my head. Also, meditation is a great way to get over writer’s block because it helps you tap into your deeper self and inner voice, which is where the best art comes from anyways.
What is your musical background? Who or what got you into wanting to make music?
I started writing songs when I was 9 just out of the blue, and then a friend started teaching me how to play piano by ear when I was 12. At 15, I bought a used guitar from a friend for twenty bucks and started teaching myself to play. I had a pretty rough childhood, so music was my escape, it was my way of finding solace and a voice to express what I was going through in a healthy way. Music was my refuge.
What is your favorite thing about performing live shows?
I love connecting with the audience, and also playing with a band — just really jamming out and feeling the power of the music coming through me is pretty incredible. It’s an awesome natural high.
Do you have a favorite song to perform or that you are looking to performing?
I’ve got dozens of original songs and each one of them has its own essence, so it really depends on the timing, who I’m playing to, and what’s going on in the world at the moment. So, nope, I don’t really have a favorite. All of my songs are like my babies.
What kind of music are you listening to right now?
At this very moment, I’m listening to a sound healing track that helps me focus while I’m working. I love Native American flute and Celtic music, but I also love pop/rock/folk/singer-songwriter music and lately have been getting into more indie-folk and folktronica.
Do you listen to any podcasts that are related to music? If so, which ones?
I listen to lots of podcasts about the music business, and also information to help independent artists like myself learn new skills and build our careers. One of my favorites is “Ari’s Take” podcast.
Do you like to collaborate with others? What is that process like?
I love to collaborate when the vibe is right. It’s really different with everyone, depending on what their strengths and creative foundations are like.
For example, my latest collaboration for my song, “Behind Your Eyes”, was a co-write with my friend Alan Roy Scott. I brought him a song that I felt wasn’t quite finished, and we sat at a piano together and worked out a new arrangement. He also helped me finish filling in the blanks on a lyric that I hadn’t quite nailed yet. Alan was the perfect person to work with on this particular track because his whole background is in bridge-building through songwriting, and that is, in essence, what the song is about.
Making the music video was also a great collaboration experience. I reached out to my friend Makana Curtiss, who is an incredible dancer and also a Hip-Hop and spoken word artist, to ask if she would choreograph and dance in the video. We went through a very special process together, digging into the lyrics and the meaning of the song, which is about stretching ourselves to see through the eyes of “the other.”
She told me that when she heard the song for the first time, she actually cried because it hit home so deeply, and is a subject she and her partner had been thinking about a lot in their own daily lives. Because it was so resonant with her, she put her heart and soul into it, which really comes through in the music video. There was definitely kismet there, so I do believe the soul of a great collaboration is in finding the right people at the right time and creating something magical together. If you’d like to check it out, here’s the link: https://youtu.be/pGMzR1d1oTk
What is next for you?
I’ve just released a new single, “Radiant Light”, and am getting ready to release a lyric video for that. You can hear it at smarturl.it/radiantlight.
Also, I’m in the process of learning how to produce my own music from my home studio, and also getting ready to write a whole new album. It’s a big challenge, and I’m excited about it!
Please tell our readers where they can follow you!
Awesome! You can find me on all the major streaming services, here are some quick links:
Spotify: https://bit.ly/spotifyalizahava
Apple Music: https://apple.co/applealizahava
SoundCloud: https://www.soundcloud.com/alizahavamusic
BandCamp: https://www.alizahavamusic.bandcamp.com
Google Play: https://bit.ly/googleplayalizahava
Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/amazonalizahava
On socials, I’m most active on:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alizahavamusic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alizahavamusic
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/alizahavamusic
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/alizahavamusic
Thanks for your time!
My pleasure!
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End of Interview