Meet Amir Halevi | Music producer, Sound Engineer & Singer Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amir Halevi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amir, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
I think people are unaware of the small details we put into our music. Sometimes, it takes days to figure out one bass line or snare sound, and the listener thinks it was just there like that the whole time from the songwriting stage. But, when it sounds like it was there the whole time, that means the producer nailed their job. I am currently in my last week at Berklee College of Music, and I think that many students here have the same concern: people think it’s easy to make music, so it wasn’t worth the money they paid for tuition. But the truth is that it’s extremely hard to create a song that is relatable, interesting, sounds good, and is mixed well, all on an indie budget. Even when you have a larger budget, it’s still hard to create a hit. So, I feel like people who consider themselves music lovers should pay attention to the details in their favorite music because someone worked hard to make it.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My artistic journey is still in its early stages, making it a challenge for me to define. I’m both excited and curious about what future creations I have in store. I released my first original single two years ago, and a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s song ‘Dreams’. My time in Boston has taught me a lot, and I’m enthusiastic about putting all that knowledge to practical use. I currently find myself comfortably situated in a blend of folk, pop, and rock music. I find it easiest to pick up my guitar and compose introspective, melancholic pieces, which I feel I am good at (unfortunately).
The opportunity to explore diverse writing styles excites me. I am currently crafting my debut album, which encapsulates my journey as a music student at the Rimon School of Music in Israel and Berklee College of Music in Boston. These four years were transformative, both molding my musical abilities and enabling personal growth.
Once I release my album, I will be available to focus on production for other musicians, the thing I love to do the most. When I arrived at Berklee, I decided to put my own music aside for a while and concentrated on studying music production and sound engineering. I was deep in it, and I felt drawn to pursue production rather than writing. While I am now glad to be finding a balance between production and writing, the skills that I gained producing other artists during this time was invaluable. I am excited for the opportunity to continue producing other musicians while making some time to keep my own music alive. To this end, I am currently looking for a job in LA as an assistant engineer, assistant producer, or as a studio runner.
Prior to commencing my formal music education in Israel, I devoted nearly five years to serving in the Israeli Navy as a combat soldier in the submarine fleet. Although it does not immediately appear connected to my musical journey, in hindsight, I can now discern the connections that shaped the musician I have become today. Throughout my service, I managed to sustain my passion for music. There were periods when I scarcely returned home, and during one of the busiest phases, following a two-week stint at sea and just before another two-week deployment, I arranged and produced a music festival in my hometown with multiple artists and a 300 person audience. Despite the absence of a phone, my determination propelled me to bring the event to fruition. I continued to organize this festival every summer for three years, allowing me to keep my musical spark alight while sharing music with others.
In three days I will complete my studies at Berklee, and I’m still struggling to put my feelings into words. While it is certain to bring new challenges, I am incredibly excited for my move to Los Angeles. Relocate to the United States to pursue professional music production career was probably the toughest decision I have ever made, and I am proud on how I managed to take that step. Living and working in the US has shaped my perception of success, aspirations, and self-assurance. A valuable lesson I’m internalizing is to embrace mistakes and critiques, both from external sources and self-assessment. Indeed, self-critique often proves even more demanding and poignant.
Throughout my musical endeavors, when encountering obstacles, the support of those close to me proved pivotal. Ultimately, one can possess exceptional musical talent and proficiency with every instrument, but solitude limits progress and enjoyment. My primary focus currently isn’t merely composing more songs and striving for success. Instead, my aim is to surround myself with individuals who draw out my best qualities, with the belief that success and other ambitions will bloom within this environment.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’ve only visited Los Angeles twice in my life, so I still feel like a tourist in the city! However, I when I visited, I thoroughly enjoyed wandering around the Hollywood hills and the Venice Beach area. Four years ago, after concluding an extensive road trip along the entire West Coast, I arrived in Los Angeles following a busy month in Alaska. I went straight to Venice Beach and didn’t leave for ten days. I was very tired and spent all my time on the beach. I wouldn’t necessarily describe it as a tranquil spot, but the atmosphere there is always unique. Apart from these places, I would be delighted to hear from anyone who has other recommendations to share with me!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Ava Matasavage. Composer, Producer, Vocalist, Multi-Instrumentalist.
Ava wrote an amazing arrangement of my favorite song, ‘Seven Days’ by Sting, which I sang in Berklee’s singer showcase. It was through this event that I got to know Ava. Later, I produced and mixed a song for her, and she wrote two amazing string arrangements for my new album.

Website: https://www.amirhalevimusic.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amirhalevi/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/amir-halevi-981b82237

Facebook: https://did.li/amirhaleviofficial

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@amirhalevi_music/featured

Image Credits
Sean Uminski Sebastian Hadl