Meet Jake Tavill

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jake Tavill. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jake, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
Ever since I was little I loved music and singing. Eventually I came to songwriting and it came so naturally to me, second nature in my daily life. If someone asked me my purpose I wouldn’t necessarily say I have one, or that anyone has one, besides the act of living. We’re not born with a purpose and we’re not given one. The way I see it, just living your experience is your purpose. We might contextualize that and say that certain job or passion of ours is our purpose, but it’s not it’s a means to fulfilling our purpose of just living our own unique life and experience. For me that involves being an artist, songwriter, producer and entrepreneur, but only because I chose for that to be a part of my life, a part of my experience. If you make things like this individually your purpose you might lose site of the bigger picture, the grander goal, of just existing and enjoying your own existence.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I started playing music at a young age, learning piano from the age of six and starting vocal instruction as well as songwriting at the age of 9. Songwriting came naturally to me and evolved with me. My music draws influence from classic icons of soul, funk, and jazz like Marvin Gaye, Bill Withers, P-Funk and Miles Davis – as well as innovative modern music-makers like Snarky Puppy, Vulfpeck, Moonchild, and Robert Glasper (who taught me at NYU). With my music I try to evoke as much emotion and empathy as possible from the listener. In 2019, I graduated from NYU Tisch’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music, in addition to studying at both The Village East Conservatory and Berklee College of Music.

I’ve released two albums, Indigo Child (2014) and Twisted Ideology (2017), as well as single, “Noah’s Ark” (2015), received airplay on over 200 radio stations internationally, coordinated the renowned GroundUP Music Festival since 2019, worked with talented musicians from Jazz to Pop as a producer, co-writer, and engineer, scored for Film/TV, notably K-Dramas such as “A Piece of Your Mind,” “It’s Okay Not To Be Okay,” and “Doona!”, and performed for audiences across the world. As an audio visual engineer I have had the opportunity to work in live and streamed/broadcast productions for theater, music and more, ranging from intimate venues to Radio City Music Hall.

I founded Indigo Soul NYC in 2022 with the mission of nurturing artists of all levels, mediums, and backgrounds by providing accessible space, community, and education with the goal of shaping society through the means of culture.

We plan to do this through:

The opening of affordable state-of-the-art studios for every arts medium from music to visual art and beyond

The creation of safe, constructive, and supportive spaces for artists to exist, collaborate, and feel at home in NYC

The production of in-house events that educate, inspire, and present artists

The creation of original media and content that moves culture forward through empathy, ingenuity, and collaboration

In February 2023, we opened our Brooklyn recording studio The Sound Cave, and are so excited to bring this dream to reality. We’ve been working on an array of original albums, podcasts, video and educational series that we’re excited to share with the world. We also facilitate events for artists and art appreciation throughout the city to foster community and connection.

For our clients we provide an array of services that encompass all aspects of media and event production. Our services include the technical aspect and engineering of media and event production, staffing and coordinating artists for various projects, and even developing and implementing educational programs and curriculum in partnerships with institutions and organizations working with students and creatives of all ages.

From editing a podcast to creating a theater class or producing an album, we are a one-stop-shop for all things creative. In addition, we’ll be making our educational classes available soon through our website so artists around the world can hone their skills and be inspired.

Now in February 2024, we’re even launching our record label venture, The Color Indigo, with a debut LP from rising Pop/R&B artist Klemntyna. I’m extremely excited about this and can’t wait for this record to reach people’s ears as well as the many more amazing releases soon to come from this label.

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?
3 qualities that I would say have been most impactful on my journey would be:

1. Understanding how important a good foundation to any skill or knowledge base is. If you understand the fundamentals, the rest will be so much easier to understand. I’ve been able to improve, to learn, and to problem solve in my career so much faster because I spent time understanding the basics and training my senses.

2. Being willing to work hard and push myself. I do think I have had a problem with balance in the past, but that same drive and willingness to put in the hours, to do what needed to get done, is what’s gotten me here today. Nothing gets done unless someone does it, and that pushes me even when I might be exhausted or dreading a mountain of tasks.

3. Patience. Patience with other people, patience with yourself, and patience with the world. Almost nothing works or happen like you expect or hope. We live in chaos and all we can do is be gentle with ourselves, others, and the world around us because worrying or frustration never solved anything. A level head, some deep breathes, and a cup of tea can do wonders for being able to deal with whatever you’re facing.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
Support me and be passionate themselves. Their support for me is the biggest advantage I’ve ever had in my life and career. They didn’t push me, but supported me in my interests and my path and that’s all I could have asked for. In addition, seeing them have passion for their art, careers, interests, and life instilled that in me from a young age.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Photographer: Zachary Grullon

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