Buzz Artist ~ Levi Ware

Levi Ware ~ Interview

Words by Joe Koch and Photos Provided

Levi Ware is a singer-songwriter from Seattle that recently found himself in Rochester, N.Y. promoting a new project, “Ten Talents Movie.”

He is a true independent artist who doesn’t rely on labels to support his musical endeavor. He’s successfully made the transition from being in a band to surviving as a solo artist. He now writes songs based on pages from his journal, whether it’s about working with orphanages in Uganda or trying to finance his next record. It’s honest and it’s real.

After his performance in Rochester, he answered some questions when he returned home to Seattle:

Can you brief us on what “Ten Talents Movie is all about?

It’s not actually an easy thing to be brief about, but I’ll do my best. “Ten Talents” is a documentary-style film produced by John Detitta about the struggles that independent artists face. In the film there are interviews with artists of all genres sharing their passion and the difficulties they’ve faced pursuing those passions. It also quotes statistics from every genre depicting just how difficult it is to succeed in arts as an industry.

The main reason the film was created though, is to educate people about a new arts-based, social media Web site (HowUdoWin.com) that is similar to Facebook but was created to support independent artists. The Web site gives fans the ability to support artists directly by pledging “Talents” to projects that fans believe in. Talents are money generated from ad revenue on the site that fans earn simply by browsing and interacting with their friends as they would on any social site. Once they earn Talents they can pledge them to an artist who will have his/her project paid for by HowUdoWin.com.

It’s a brilliant concept because it has the ability to show music-lovers how crucial they are to artists. It seems that nowadays everyone is waiting for labels to tell them who they should listen to. It’s time for music lovers to choose the artists that inspire them.

How did you get involved?

I recorded my latest album in Nashville with a good friend and incredible engineer/producer named Neal Cappellino. Neal is friends with John Detitta, who created HowUdoWin.com and produced “Ten Talents.” John was shooting footage for “Ten Talents” in Nashville, so Neal called me up and said I should fly out. I had no idea what an incredible opportunity it was.

When I spoke to your wife, she said that they want to use you as the spokesperson. What would that entail?

Yes! What it entails is speaking about music and how much it means to me but also sharing this new Web site and the opportunities it opens to artists and fans. I’ll be narrating portions of the film and introducing the audience to this new concept.

You also promote your apparel from Uganda. Can you explain the history with that?

Absolutely! I was in Uganda for a couple months in 2004 working with orphanages and was really affected by the experience. The people of Uganda were truly incredible; they were so kind, caring and happy despite their circumstances. I would love to return but Uganda’s a long way off — not an easy place to hop back and forth to. I decided if I couldn’t be there, I’d do something to help from where I am, so the clothing line was born.

One hundred percent of the profits from the apparel go to Uganda and the clothes are sold at concerts, in stores and on the website at www.leviware.com. Super cool!

How did your visit to Uganda come about and how has that affected you as an artist and a person?

An acquaintance of my family had moved to Uganda and opened a home for orphans who were dying of aids. He was in the states giving a presentation for the project and my brother made the comment that he would move to Uganda given the opportunity and the comment struck me wrong. I thought … give the guy some credit for doing something incredibly ballsy and compassionate. None of us would go to Uganda! Then a friend of mine asked me why I wouldn’t go and I had to think about it. Why wouldn’t I go? That question became a challenge so we bought tickets and, via the Internet, found a family in Uganda that was willing to help us get involved. We got there and started walking in to orphanages and volunteering.

It was an incredible experience and one I’ll never forget. I can’t tell you just how it affected me because the article would be much too long but it brought to light how little we, as Westerners, appreciate what we have and how much we’ve substituted possessions for love, compassion and community. I thought I was going to Uganda to teach and show love and compassion. It turned out I learned and was shown love and compassion.

What is the Seattle scene like these days? Is there a good scene for singer-songwriters?

I love Seattle and it’s a solid music scene but it’s a pessimistic one. There are a lot of truly great writers that come out of Seattle but I wouldn’t say it’s a real supportive music community. It tends to be pretty clicky and supportive of whatever’s cool in the moment. The “hipsters” aren’t real supportive of singer/songwriters unfortunately.

You started your music career in a band and when that dissolved you chose to pursue a solo career. How has that affected you as an artist and what have been some challenges?

It has affected my confidence hugely. I loved playing with those guys and they really shaped the way I wrote and challenged me to become a better writer, but playing in a band is so different than playing solo. In a band it’s very easy to hide behind the other guys, even when singing it’s easy to share the focus. When it’s just you and a guitar, the focus is entirely on you and it’s nerve-wracking. If you miss a note or forget a lyric, there’s no one to cover for you.

It forced me to step up and be confident or quit. Another thing is, as a band, the shows you play are often in bars and folks in bars want to dance and drink, so if you don’t play music that they can dance to you won’t get another show. As a singer/songwriter those things don’t influence you. I’ve learned to write much more personally, from life experiences and emotions. As a result my music is very honest. The challenge is there aren’t nearly as many places to play as a solo act.

What’s the biggest difference between the two for you?

The songs. My songs now are pages from my journal. Pages from my life.

Do you prefer one over the other?

I do. I prefer the honesty of these newer songs. I honestly feel that these songs — this music — was given to me for a reason. I’m meant to share this music with others. What’s the point of sharing something that’s not honest?

Listen Mr. is an album filled with some great songs. What have been some of the biggest challenges for you as an independent artist?

Getting the songs to a place where people can hear them. Making the album is difficult enough with all the financial challenges of being independent but along with finances is holding down a family, booking, writing, producing, promoting, Web design, working radio, colleges and maintaining a full-time job to make it all possible. I love these songs and I’m happy with the way the album turned out. I want people to hear it. As an independent artist, it’s hard to balance all the tasks that need to be accomplished.

I see that you are playing with Ernie Halter and Curtis Peoples. I was on the Rockboat with them a couple of years ago. Have you ever looked into anything like that? I would think you would be great on that.

Haven’t heard of Rockboat but I’ll look into it now. Thanks!

The unnamed acapella song that you ended with in Rochester was a crowd favorite. Any plans for a new album?

Yeah, folks are really responding to that song. It actually has ukulele for accompaniment and has since been named “Hey Hey (You Know You Are).” Not sure about a full album, but I’ve been toying with the idea of an EP that’s much more stripped down than Listen Mr. Something along the lines of Ben Harper’s first album, Welcome To The Cruel World.

When you’re not performing or recording, what are some of your favorite things to do?

Love my family! I have a wonderful wife and two incredible little kiddos. I try to give them as much time as possible. I also really love and need to get away with my thoughts. Writing in my journal and playing music is a huge part of what I am; inevitably I always come back to it. I also love to surf and Washington has a lot of great spots. Heading out with brothers to a camp spot with a fire pit and some good surf is a fine way to spend a weekend.

For more information go to: www.leviware.com