Meet Lior Tzemach | Producer & Guitarist

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

Hi Lior, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Well, to be honest I am not sure it was my conscious decision. I always felt like music or any type of art is like magic, where the artist is borrowing the audience’s mind and imagination and painting a picture in everyone’s inner canvas. When I first started to play music I felt more in control of this magic, or at least be able to channel some of it. At some point I knew that playing music and immerse myself in a creative environment is my mission in this life, to make an impact in this world using art or sound and using that magic to influence my well being and others well being, in every moment I try to re-create the impact music made on me when I was a kid, for example when listening to Eric Clapton, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Muse, Radiohead or Funkadelic, I had these moments when I knew this is what I need to do here, to try and tap into this magic realm of sound and make others feel what I feel (or at least try!) when it is played. I started as a computer programmer at early age, and made basic websites and designs for people for a while using my creativity. But once music was introduced to me, in terms of creativity, the possibilities were endless! and I was just motivated to learn new songs all the time and transcribing, playing along to the records that opened this thing in my consciousness.
Making music wether if you’re playing or listening to it, is a meditative and a sacred process and I think what made me gravitate towards that was the option to explore new ways of experiencing things outside myself.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The influences I had throughout my life, musical, cultural etc, are so vast and i’m still trying to make sense out of it, but I would say that what makes me unique is that I will always work on my attitude to make the music first priority.
In a world contaminated by agendas and endless commerce in every corner, the best thing I can do is try to always think what the music needs, and not what would sound like that other thing… but to really reflect that state of mind you have to put the extra work, physically and intellectually in order to not be influenced by the external forces of social media and musical trends.
There are many things i’m proud of in my journey. Even before moving to the United States almost ten years ago, I was playing professionally in clubs/festivals in Israel. Moving to Boston to study at Berklee college of music changed my perspective completely, due to the amount of artists that come every year, I was able to collaborate with new people on a daily basis and absorbing different cultures in such a condensed time frame shaped how I see things, I think it helped me develop a lot of patience. Also the fact that I got to meet and work with some of the biggest names in the industry during my time at Berklee – Dave Liebman, Joe Lovano, John Patitucci, George Massenburg, Shankar Mahadevan, Danilo Perez and later drummer Terri Lyne Carrington that hired me to play in her band for a while. These learning experiences stay with me forever.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First, if it’s up to me we will go to one of those R&B jams around town, Harvelle’s, Gold Diggers, Rhythm Room to hear some groovy musicians kicking it. Another cool place obviously is the Hollywood bowl, they always have the best shows in the city. I’ve lived in Los Angeles for only one year so far, but I know where to get the best tacos and where are the best taco trucks, because street food is so good here.
I’m not to interested in the nightlife scene, unless i’m actually playing and working in that club that night, unless there is a really good band playing then i’ll check them out.
My best place to take someone have a good time is probably the ocean, or nature, and there’s a lot of it in LA.
So many good resturants around here that it’s hard to decide!
But the natural parks like Topanga Canyon, Malibu, Santa Monica, anywhere there’s mountains and silence, so we can put things in perspective.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Everyone I met so far during my journey deserves the credit in making me who I am today. But of course my family and my parents. without them I couldn’t even put my hands on a guitar!
I’ve been very lucky to learn from top-notch musicians (on the road, in the studio, on the bandstand…) and still learning.
Musicians such as Terry Lyne Carrington, John Patitucci, John Lockwood, George Garzone, Danilo Perez, and the list goes on…
Some of my teachers/friends along the way are not alive anymore, but they know I give them a shoutout every day!

Website: https://www.liortzemach.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lior_tzemach_music/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lior-tzemach-aaab55106/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LiorTmusic/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4NREihFn-b-wXHbL-OmRLg

Image Credits
Tzilumation Crew Andrija Gavrilovic Penelopa Santana