Rising Stars: Meet Rafi B Levy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rafi B Levy.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born in Israel and moved to Los Angeles at the age of four. I moved back and forth between Israel and Los Angeles a few times during my childhood. And I began playing the guitar in Israel when I was 12. I studied guitar with various private teachers during my childhood and eventually went on to study at Rimon School of Music in Israel for one year and at Cal Arts University for 1 year. I also lived in Seville, Spain studying Flamenco guitar for three years. I always continue to study, explore and evolve musically. It’s a lifelong journey! I’m a Student of life and music always.

In 1997, I formed my first band in Los Angeles, California with some really great musicians who also happened to be very close friends. We played groove-based music (funk, reggae, hip hop Drum N Bass music with other influences as well). I wrote, recorded, and performed with this band all around Los Angeles and other surrounding states for 12 years, and we recorded four albums together. We also got to share the stage with top national acts such as Mix Master Mike (Beastie Boys), Xzibit, The Alkaholiks, Pennywise, Black Eye Peas and more. It Was a super fun experience and I got to experiment and develop my writing and performing style a lot during that time. (That band’s name was Poopan Hooligan). You won’t find much online about that band because we broke up right before Facebook and YouTube was kind of starting to be a thing. MySpace was still hot when we broke up! Just to understand the timeline! I will gradually get all the Poopan Hooligan music on streaming sites as well. But my focus for many years has gone into pushing my solo performances and albums since the band broke up in 2009.

In 2004 I released my first solo album “Desert Cruising in a Dub State of Mind”. That album was a mix of Latin, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern-influenced guitar instrumentals. Although I was still committed to playing in my band (Poopan Hooligan) full time, I began experimenting performing as a solo artist as well during that time.

In 2009 after the band broke up and also going through other major changes and heartbreaks, I was in need for a change. I went to see a Flamenco show in LA and fell in love with that style. I wanted to surround myself in that culture and hear as much of that music as possible! So I went home and booked a flight to Seville Spain and decided to go study flamenco guitar out there.
For three years I went back and forth to Spain each time for periods of 6 to 7 months to Study the flamenco guitar in Seville and immersed myself in that music and lifestyle fully. In the end, I decided not to take the traditional path. I felt that my calling was to continue with the electric guitar and to incorporate the things that I had learned into my own music doing it my own way. I have been back to Spain for inspiration and to perform there as well.

From 2009 until 2014, I stopped performing and gigging. I was just working other jobs and focusing on studying flamenco and practicing guitar and writing. I was working other jobs to save money to go to Spain each time.

And then on April 10th, 2014 I successfully finished my Kickstarter campaign and managed to raise enough money for my album “Uplift Your Soul”. This album was funded by fans, friends, and family through www.Kickstarter.com and officially released in November 2014. “The album has gotten a great response”.

As soon as the album was released, I was out of a job and I began busking (street performing) in LA and the Santa Monica Pier. I told myself that if I manage to make money from busking and selling CDs then that is a sign from above/god that I need to be doing music full time. Busking went well and I was working in just that full-time for about four and a half years. I sold over 6,000 CDs busking in Santa Monica and continue to sell the album online and at shows. In my 4th year of busking I decided it’s time to start performing at venues and events and gradually stop busking. I wanted to move forward and evolve. Although I’ll always have a deep appreciation for busking. It was Such an amazing touching experience. To connect with people from all over in the street which is as raw as it gets. And also you really see people’s kindness when busking. (In my opinion). Nobody owes you anything and the fact that someone wants to show their appreciation for live music and art and chooses to tip or buy a cd is a very kind gesture. The majority of people don’t just walk away when they feel touched by art or music. If they feel like that got something of value, they normally will approach and pay for it even though no one asked them or forced them to do that. Also, something that I noticed when busking is that people feel really comfortable to come and talk to buskers and share their life stories with us. And you hear really interesting stories from people. Maybe they think we’re weirdos so they don’t feel judged and feel comfortable to come to talk! It’s kind of like how people feel super comfortable to vent to taxi drivers and bartenders!

Eventually, I stopped busking and started performing at venues and events full time (restaurants, bars, casinos, hotels, country clubs, weddings, Babyshower, corporate events and more, etc.). And currently, I still perform full-time in Los Angeles and other parts of California and surrounding states. I perform at wineries and bars, restaurants, casinos, venues, and private parties/events.

I normally perform solo guitar performances or as a duo (guitar and percussion). I perform my original compositions (Mediterranean, Spanish, Latin inspired guitar instrumentals) and a Looper set that is groove and melody based with lots of improvisation. I also perform cover songs in various styles (Popular Classics, Spanish, Latin, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern).

I also have had my original music licensed in commercials and recently in a feature film that will be released within a year. Thanks to Sherren Lee!

I’m also working on new music with a trio that I put together with an amazing bass player Danit Levy who is also my sister! And with an awesome percussion player Son Vardy who is like a brother. We are writings some really cool songs in my opinion:)

So in a nutshell I work as a full-time musician making most of my living from performing cover songs and original songs live five days a week at events and venues. And also make part of my living from getting my music licensed.

I live with my beautiful wife and daughter in the valley. My wife is from Osaka Japan and moved to LA to pursue her career as a hip hop dancer. And we have a beautiful daughter who is almost two years old. I believe she will be an amazing artist one day because she’s showing the signs! We support our family 100% from art. So that is possible with hard work.

“My goal is to keep putting out the best music that I can and give the people something good. Something soulful! If it touches your soul and makes you feel good, then it was a success in my eyes. I’d like to keep on growing as a human being and as a musician always.”

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Life is always full of ups and downs and challenges and obstacles. But I believe everybody’s life is full of that so I’m not gonna get into personal life obstacles. Instead, I think it’s more relevant for this article to talk about obstacles or challenges as a musician.

In my opinion, I would say that as a musician one of the biggest struggles is figuring out how to make a good living doing music full-time. We spend years practicing and trying to master our craft. And at the same time, there is the business side which most musicians aren’t really so clear on what exactly is going on! Especially because the industry format has been changing so much every few years. By the time most of us figure out what we’re supposed to do and start putting that into action the format is already changing and how to make a living from it is changing.

Also, I think most of us musicians imagine ourselves performing in stadiums someday and imagine ourselves being the next big thing. Which is great and a beautiful thing. When we’re kids and just starting out especially. And nowadays I think a lot of musicians think of how to make music from posting on social media outlets and licensing and YouTube etc.

In a nutshell, I think that when we think of the music business and how to make money in it, what comes to our mind is the glamorous side of the industry. And that’s probably why most musicians don’t end up managing to make a living working as full-time musicians. I could be wrong here this is just my theory from my experiences. But I wasn’t making money in music until I changed my way of looking at the music industry and what I consider the music business.

Things started to flow good for me and I really started making money in music once I started treating music and performing like any other business. Meaning I thought of plumbing businesses and other businesses that offer services and products and thought about what they do. Then I said I will approach it simply like that! I said I offer a service which is performing music. And my job as a performer is to touch people, uplift with music, create a nice ambiance and providing entertainment. If I do that properly, I will get paid. Next, I thought now I just need

to figure out who to sell my service to and start selling just like any other business has to do. So I started approaching different venues and agents and selling where ever and however I thought was relevant to what I do. I’m still continuing to do that and grow. But since 2014, I’ve been making a living from performing full-time since I took this approach. And I take the same approach to selling my music and getting it licensed. It’s a product and I need to contact people who can get that product where it needs to get. The product should be good!

So there were more challenges and obstacles when I was trying to approach the music business in the typical way. I think people don’t have to listen to all the hype out there and can find a path that fits what they do if they really analyze what they’re offering and then think who is the customer who would pay for what they’re offering.

That’s my opinion! I’m always still in the process of growing and learning as well.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I write instrumental guitar music with influences from various countries like Spain, Latino music, South America, the Middle East and the Mediterranean. As well as influences from hip hop, neo soul, funk, and reggae. All the music that I write and record is recorded with live instruments and musicians playing them. And I perform these compositions that I write at events and venues.

I also prepare instrumental versions of cover songs in various styles Latin (Salsa, Cumbia, boleros, bachata, Reggaeton), Middle Eastern/Mediterranean (Israel, Greece, Egypt, Turkey, etc.), and Popular Classics (Pop, Hip Hop, RnB, Reggae, Classic Rock, and more).

I perform at Wineries, Restaurants, Hotels, Casinos, Country Clubs, Bars, Weddings, Corporate events, House parties, baby showers, birthdays, brunches and more!

All my performances are solo guitar performances over custom beats that I create. And I also perform as a duo. And will soon be performing as a trio as well.

I think what sets me apart is that I love many styles and have influences from many styles. I’ve managed to blend these styles in a tasteful, soulful way. That’s what I’ve been told!

How do you think about luck?
Thank god I’ve had lots of good luck! And the good luck has been my parents and wife who support the path that I choose in life and they believe in my abilities. That helps a lot. Also, friends’ and fans’ support and positive response has been something I’ve been lucky to have. And I’ve always had this feeling like god listens to prayers and is on my side. It’s just a belief and feeling I have. In tough times I’ve tried to remind myself that in the end, things work out the way they’re supposed to and usually for the best. Even though we normally can’t understand that at the moment when we’re struggling and can’t see why things are happening. It’s hard but if we can find the strength, I think it’s good to try and learn from our tough moments. And then appreciate when life is flowing because there will always be ups and downs; that’s a guarantee… so when we’re in an up moment, we should ride that wave and appreciate it!!

I have worked my ass off and continue to work my ass off! I’ve spent hours of my life practicing and many times, sacrificing going out and doing the “fun” easy thing so that I could practice or work on music. But I believe the reward for that has been to be lucky enough to be able to continue to play music and make a living doing it. I’m lucky to have a fun job that I love. And I’m lucky that I was blessed with music in my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.RafiLevyMusic.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/rafilevymusic1?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100040058574543
• Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/user/RafiLevyMusic 

Image Credits
Photography by – Benjo Arwas & Enrique Aguilar