Meet Tavon Carter

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tavon Carter a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Tavon, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

The resilience of The Whoadees comes from our shared experiences and the deep bond we’ve built over the years. Whether it’s personal challenges or professional setbacks, we’ve learned to channel those moments into our music, growing stronger together as a collective while staying true to our passion for creating.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

The Whoadees is an American music collective founded in 2015 by engineers and music producers Tavon Carter (Carterboy) and Michael Boyle (Benet) while they were students at Expression College in Emeryville. Our passion for blending innovative sounds led to the creation of a unique, genre-bending band that spans Funk, R&B, Soul, Hip Hop, Rock, and Jazz. Over the years, our family has grown with the addition of drummer David Cruz (Intoku), followed by bassist Christopher Ellis (Pher The Legend), and solidified by guitarist Jake Zimma, officially forming The Whoadees at our home-based studio, “The Whoa,” in Oakland.

What makes The Whoadees special is the fusion of diverse influences and talents from each member, allowing us to push the boundaries of modern music while staying true to the spirit of the Bay Area.

The Whoadees have performed at multiple venues across the Bay Area, including the Oakland Museum, showcasing our energetic live performances and innovative projects. Our mission goes beyond music—we also operate as a nonprofit organization, focusing on uplifting the Bay Area community through our art and service. We are proud to combine efforts with medical professionals and community service leaders, including our manager Devon Carter, MD (anesthesiologist), to serve the community at various community service events.

On October 2, 2024, we released our first EP, *Whoadee Tape, Vol. 1*, which blends pop, R&B, hip-hop, and various other genres of music. We’re excited about the future and look forward to sharing more of our journey with fans.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, the three most impactful qualities in my journey with The Whoadees were adaptability, collaboration, and perseverance.

1. Adaptability: In the music industry, the ability to evolve and blend different styles has been crucial. For anyone early in their journey, I recommend staying open to change and constantly experimenting with new sounds or ideas. The more versatile you are, the more unique your work becomes.

2. Collaboration: Our collective wouldn’t be what it is today without the blend of talents from each member. For those starting out, I advise building strong, genuine relationships with people who inspire you. Collaboration brings out creativity that can take your work to new levels.

3. Perseverance: The journey is not without its challenges, but persistence is key. Keep pushing forward even when obstacles arise. For those just beginning, trust the process, stay committed to your vision, and remember that setbacks are part of growth.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Yes, The Whoadees are always open to collaboration with like-minded individuals and organizations who share our passion for creative expression, community service, and innovation in music. We are particularly interested in working with musicians, visual artists, community leaders, and nonprofits who are dedicated to uplifting the Bay Area and beyond through art and service.

If you’re reading this and feel aligned with our vision, we would love to hear from you! You can connect with us through our social media platforms @thewhoadees or reach out directly via email at whoadeescontact@gmail.com. Let’s create something special together!

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