Volume 1, Issue 1 |
At first listen, you think you’re hearing a band that has toured the world for many years and sold goo gobs of
albums. Well, at least that’s what I thought when I first heard Jonathan Levi Band!
After hearing a non-stop flow of amazing songs, I had to interview these guys. Fortunately, I was able to get an
exclusive interview with Jonathan Levi, the bands front man, and let me tell you this...”You’re looking at the next
superstar band to grace the music industry since Dave Matthews.”
IAE: First, can you tell us where you were born and raised?
JL: Originally from Oahu, Hawaii and it’s great because it’s very family oriented, but after moving to San
Francisco I realized how much it is its own little world. It was very nice and tropical. It was really nice to live on
the islands because where I grew up it was very mountainous and it was nothing like a major city like San
Francisco.
IAE: Who inspired you, as a child, to do music?
JL: Artists like Michael Jackson, Madonna, and a lot of Hawaiian artists that most people don’t know of. One
band in particular was the Alcrater Boys, they were really great. But I’ve always sang, so I don’t really have like
a person that I can pinpoint who was my main influence.
IAE: At age 6, you were accepted into The Honolulu Boy Choir; what was it like to be involved in
that? What did you learn?
JL: The first thing I learned was that I had major stage fright. But musically, it was a very strict program and the
instructor was very intimidating because he was very hardcore about you learning the songs by the next class
or he would give you a bunch of crap. It was great though, because there were other kids like me who were into
singing and performing, and I learned a lot about singing in front of a crowd.
IAE: At age 15, you wrote your first song. Do you remember what the song was about?
JL: Yea, at 15 I started playing the Ukulele and I wrote this song called “Tonight” and it was about the whole
“You did me wrong, but I still love you.” It was very basic, but I was excited about it though. I would take it to my
cousin and he would learn it on his Ukulele and we’d play it together (laughing). So that’s how I started really
liking the whole songwriting process.
IAE: What instruments do you play?
JL: Well, I play guitar now, but my first instrument was the Ukulele. More acoustic than anything though.
IAE: What made you decide to move to San Francisco?
JL: At 22, I just really started getting that itch to get off the island (Oahu), because I felt that it was time for me
to go out and really pursue my music. I don’t know if San Francisco was the right choice, but after a while I
realized that there was a lot to offer me with my music there although it’s not as much as LA. But that’s really
what made me move.
IAE: That’s cool, you just kinda went with it and it all worked out.
JL: Yea, it was like “Hey this is actually pretty cool!”
IAE: Tell us about the Jonathan Levi Band; like, who is in the band, and when did the band form?
JL: The band is a really new project actually. The foundation is Jacob and me, we came together in July of
2008, and we pretty much clicked instantly musically. But before I met him, I was already doing a lot of shows at
a local bar/venue and when I met Jacob, we started doing some shows together. But after that we decided to
record an EP. Jacob’s very computer savvy and we recorded and mastered everything at his place, so the
recordings that you hear of us was actually done at his place and he mixed and mastered it. Everything
happened really quickly, but we were just so stoked that we both were meshing musically; I had been looking for
a guitarist who was on the same page as me for a while, but after meeting Jacob it all worked out. Then in
December (2008) we found our drummer Anthony and we started performing with him. But we all realized that
we needed a bassist so we hooked up with Grant Williams in like February 2009, so everything is really fresh
right now as you can see. We just started actually performing as a band in April 2009, so things are picking up.
IAE: In what genre would your music be classified?
JL: We’re more of an Acoustic Pop band. Sometimes it’s gets a little more Rock oriented, but we’re still more
Acoustic Pop.
IAE: In 2008, you and Jacob released your first album, “These Doors.” Tell us about how that came
about and who did the writing?
JL: After we got together and did a few bar gigs, the next logical step was to record something. So we took
some songs that I wrote previously, and some of the stuff we did in our live gigs, and went ahead and recorded.
We collaborated on “The Doors” EP pretty heavy. The lyrics are usually written by me, and sometimes he’ll
bring me a chord progression or melody and I’ll come up with a melody or topic. So he’ll program drums,
keyboards, and basslines are not live instruments but the acoustic guitars are live.
IAE: What is the creative process like for you? Do you have a song idea first and then record it, or
are you guys jamming out and then go from there?
JL: Sometimes I write alone and sometimes with Jacob. But the ones we write together start off in more of a jam
session style. Jacob is originally from Spain, so that’s why lyrically that’s why I do most of the writing, although
his English is getting much better. When I write alone, I just feel the song and go head first in.
IAE: What do you like better, recording songs or playing live?
JL: I enjoy doing both actually. The recording process is very tedious for me because we’re using digital
instruments, so it takes a lot longer than it would if we had session musicians there playing the drums, etc. But
the performing side is much more fulfilling for me because it’s a crazier and more spontaneous thing. It’s great
when people in the crowd are feeling what you’re saying, but it’s definitely NOT fun when people aren’t feeling
what you’re saying (laughing). But I do like both.
IAE: How many live performances have you had as a band each month?
JL: When I first started with Jabob, we played at a wine bar at least once a month, but since we started the
band it’s harder to get venues so we only play two shows a month as of now. But we want to do more of course.
IAE: Where can people buy your music?
JL: We just joined this new service online called GimmeSound.com and it’s very similar to iTunes except it’s
free. But the artists still get paid. It’s pretty cool. We are on iTunes and Amazon as well, if they prefer to pay.
IAE: What has been the most difficult thing for you in pursuing a career in music as an independent
artist?
JL: Doubting myself as an artist because sometimes you can feel that way when you’re not getting where you
want to be as fast as you’d like to. Also, the business side of music is tough because I have to learn it. It
requires a lot more education and really learning how to conduct the business aspect without it ruining my
creativity.
IAE: Are you and the band seeking a record deal with a major label?
JL: We’re not seeking one, but if one happens to come along, of course we’re open to it. But it’s not something
we’re submitting ourselves for.
IAE: If you could say anything to a record exec out there who may be reading this article, what would
you say to get them to take interest in the Jonathan Levi Band?
JL: Well, if they’re looking for a hardworking band with genuine songs that can transcend just the trends of the
day, then we’re your band.
IAE: Where would you like to see the Jonathan Levi Band in the next 3 years?
JL: I’d love to see us touring the world. My whole goal with this is to be a successful artist, and I don’t mean
famous, but more so making a living and doing what I love to do and make a decent living doing it. Everyone
wants to be popular, but as you get a little older you start realizing there’s more to life than just being popular
and famous.
IAE: What is one thing about you that you’d want your potential, and existing, fans to know?
JL: I’d want them to know that I’m just like them, I AM them. I’m a fan of other musicians and bands, and
everything they’re going through in life, I go through the same things and I hope my music speaks to their lives.
albums. Well, at least that’s what I thought when I first heard Jonathan Levi Band!
After hearing a non-stop flow of amazing songs, I had to interview these guys. Fortunately, I was able to get an
exclusive interview with Jonathan Levi, the bands front man, and let me tell you this...”You’re looking at the next
superstar band to grace the music industry since Dave Matthews.”
IAE: First, can you tell us where you were born and raised?
JL: Originally from Oahu, Hawaii and it’s great because it’s very family oriented, but after moving to San
Francisco I realized how much it is its own little world. It was very nice and tropical. It was really nice to live on
the islands because where I grew up it was very mountainous and it was nothing like a major city like San
Francisco.
IAE: Who inspired you, as a child, to do music?
JL: Artists like Michael Jackson, Madonna, and a lot of Hawaiian artists that most people don’t know of. One
band in particular was the Alcrater Boys, they were really great. But I’ve always sang, so I don’t really have like
a person that I can pinpoint who was my main influence.
IAE: At age 6, you were accepted into The Honolulu Boy Choir; what was it like to be involved in
that? What did you learn?
JL: The first thing I learned was that I had major stage fright. But musically, it was a very strict program and the
instructor was very intimidating because he was very hardcore about you learning the songs by the next class
or he would give you a bunch of crap. It was great though, because there were other kids like me who were into
singing and performing, and I learned a lot about singing in front of a crowd.
IAE: At age 15, you wrote your first song. Do you remember what the song was about?
JL: Yea, at 15 I started playing the Ukulele and I wrote this song called “Tonight” and it was about the whole
“You did me wrong, but I still love you.” It was very basic, but I was excited about it though. I would take it to my
cousin and he would learn it on his Ukulele and we’d play it together (laughing). So that’s how I started really
liking the whole songwriting process.
IAE: What instruments do you play?
JL: Well, I play guitar now, but my first instrument was the Ukulele. More acoustic than anything though.
IAE: What made you decide to move to San Francisco?
JL: At 22, I just really started getting that itch to get off the island (Oahu), because I felt that it was time for me
to go out and really pursue my music. I don’t know if San Francisco was the right choice, but after a while I
realized that there was a lot to offer me with my music there although it’s not as much as LA. But that’s really
what made me move.
IAE: That’s cool, you just kinda went with it and it all worked out.
JL: Yea, it was like “Hey this is actually pretty cool!”
IAE: Tell us about the Jonathan Levi Band; like, who is in the band, and when did the band form?
JL: The band is a really new project actually. The foundation is Jacob and me, we came together in July of
2008, and we pretty much clicked instantly musically. But before I met him, I was already doing a lot of shows at
a local bar/venue and when I met Jacob, we started doing some shows together. But after that we decided to
record an EP. Jacob’s very computer savvy and we recorded and mastered everything at his place, so the
recordings that you hear of us was actually done at his place and he mixed and mastered it. Everything
happened really quickly, but we were just so stoked that we both were meshing musically; I had been looking for
a guitarist who was on the same page as me for a while, but after meeting Jacob it all worked out. Then in
December (2008) we found our drummer Anthony and we started performing with him. But we all realized that
we needed a bassist so we hooked up with Grant Williams in like February 2009, so everything is really fresh
right now as you can see. We just started actually performing as a band in April 2009, so things are picking up.
IAE: In what genre would your music be classified?
JL: We’re more of an Acoustic Pop band. Sometimes it’s gets a little more Rock oriented, but we’re still more
Acoustic Pop.
IAE: In 2008, you and Jacob released your first album, “These Doors.” Tell us about how that came
about and who did the writing?
JL: After we got together and did a few bar gigs, the next logical step was to record something. So we took
some songs that I wrote previously, and some of the stuff we did in our live gigs, and went ahead and recorded.
We collaborated on “The Doors” EP pretty heavy. The lyrics are usually written by me, and sometimes he’ll
bring me a chord progression or melody and I’ll come up with a melody or topic. So he’ll program drums,
keyboards, and basslines are not live instruments but the acoustic guitars are live.
IAE: What is the creative process like for you? Do you have a song idea first and then record it, or
are you guys jamming out and then go from there?
JL: Sometimes I write alone and sometimes with Jacob. But the ones we write together start off in more of a jam
session style. Jacob is originally from Spain, so that’s why lyrically that’s why I do most of the writing, although
his English is getting much better. When I write alone, I just feel the song and go head first in.
IAE: What do you like better, recording songs or playing live?
JL: I enjoy doing both actually. The recording process is very tedious for me because we’re using digital
instruments, so it takes a lot longer than it would if we had session musicians there playing the drums, etc. But
the performing side is much more fulfilling for me because it’s a crazier and more spontaneous thing. It’s great
when people in the crowd are feeling what you’re saying, but it’s definitely NOT fun when people aren’t feeling
what you’re saying (laughing). But I do like both.
IAE: How many live performances have you had as a band each month?
JL: When I first started with Jabob, we played at a wine bar at least once a month, but since we started the
band it’s harder to get venues so we only play two shows a month as of now. But we want to do more of course.
IAE: Where can people buy your music?
JL: We just joined this new service online called GimmeSound.com and it’s very similar to iTunes except it’s
free. But the artists still get paid. It’s pretty cool. We are on iTunes and Amazon as well, if they prefer to pay.
IAE: What has been the most difficult thing for you in pursuing a career in music as an independent
artist?
JL: Doubting myself as an artist because sometimes you can feel that way when you’re not getting where you
want to be as fast as you’d like to. Also, the business side of music is tough because I have to learn it. It
requires a lot more education and really learning how to conduct the business aspect without it ruining my
creativity.
IAE: Are you and the band seeking a record deal with a major label?
JL: We’re not seeking one, but if one happens to come along, of course we’re open to it. But it’s not something
we’re submitting ourselves for.
IAE: If you could say anything to a record exec out there who may be reading this article, what would
you say to get them to take interest in the Jonathan Levi Band?
JL: Well, if they’re looking for a hardworking band with genuine songs that can transcend just the trends of the
day, then we’re your band.
IAE: Where would you like to see the Jonathan Levi Band in the next 3 years?
JL: I’d love to see us touring the world. My whole goal with this is to be a successful artist, and I don’t mean
famous, but more so making a living and doing what I love to do and make a decent living doing it. Everyone
wants to be popular, but as you get a little older you start realizing there’s more to life than just being popular
and famous.
IAE: What is one thing about you that you’d want your potential, and existing, fans to know?
JL: I’d want them to know that I’m just like them, I AM them. I’m a fan of other musicians and bands, and
everything they’re going through in life, I go through the same things and I hope my music speaks to their lives.
| Jonathan Levi Band - Recording Artists |
This San Francisco band is Flying high under the radar, and hitting all the right
targets!
targets!
| Jonathan Levi Band |
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