Tamar Berk has been kicking around bands for years now, making a name for herself in a slew of Chicago and Portland, Oregon bands with releases on Kill Rock Stars, Minty Fresh, & Invisible Records. Now, she’s taking her years of experience and channeling them into her solo debut, “The Restless Dreams of Youth” where she looks back & confronts the feelings that just won’t fade.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Tamar about the latest release, challenges, technology and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)
I’m originally from the midwest..born and raised in Cleveland but I’ve lived in Chicago, Portland and now San Diego. I’ve been making music for as long as I can remember. Making up little songs on the piano in different styles…even little Minuets because I was really in Bach! The music I make today is classified as Indie pop I suppose, but that’s because you are forced to check off boxes on digital distribution sites! haha A lot of folks that listen to my music, get a very 90’s alternative vibe, but I don’t know…
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to keep going?
I started playing piano at a very young age. All of my sisters played piano. I heard music in the house all day. I was also obsessed with classic Disney soundtracks growing up and musicals and had a little record player in my room. I would play these albums ENDLESSLY. Once I bought my own guitar in my teens, I started writing my own songs using poems and musings I wrote in a little journal I carried around.
How is this new release different than previous ones? Were you trying to accomplish anything specific?
This is the first release that is a true solo album. I’ve been in many many bands and I play many different instruments but this is the first time I used my name and released a full length album on my own. At first, I just had it on my bucket list…like…one day I’m going to release an album…but then some of the songs I was writing got me really excited so I decided to pursue it in earnest. I wanted to convey a feeling of nostalgia and wistful memories of younger years, making mistakes in your early twenties and learning and growing from all of these experiences.
Name one or two challenges you face as an indie musician in this over saturated, digital music age? How has technology helped you (since we know it does help)?
The challenges are finding time for the daily social media posts especially when you work full time and have family obligations. When I was in bands in my younger years, we hung up fliers or literally sent postcard mailers to our mailing list (SNAIL MAIL!) but today, your audience is there but it takes SO MUCH TIME. I enjoy being creative on my posts but committing to that time is challenging!
What was the last song you listened to?
Rush – Subdivisions
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
Vinyl but CD’s are really nostalgic…I actually LOVE cassette tapes and have a big collection.
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
Spotify for easy listening and bandcamp for independent artists who actually want to try to make some money from their music and invest in future recording/pressing.
Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?
SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2A3VeCpyVPOSRW4woZXt8q
BANDCAMP: https://tamarberk.bandcamp.com/album/the-restless-dreams-of-youth
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/tamarberkmusic/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/TamarBerkMusic
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcWZ8eEq0W5bxexMyWRi6K
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/TamarBerk
Anything else before we sign off?
I love this quote from Don Valentine about my album on his blog:
“A lesson for all singer songwriters. I feel like I’ve read a book, whilst being enchanted by a wonderful album. An outstanding offering from Tamar Berk.” https://hearasingle.blogspot.com/
