Exposed Vocals interviews singer/songwriter Kfir

Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?

Kfir:I was promoting my online interview with Twisted Male magazine and I think we followed each other on Twitter and started to connect….

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

Kfir: I was born and raised in Tirat- Carmel, Israel, where my whole family still lives. Though I always say that my childhood was there, my growing up was in the in New York City. I think I was born into music, my mom was a singer when I was growing up so I was always surrounded by music, Pop, Rock & Roll, Folk, Soul & R&B, you name it..I did fall in love with classical music during my first ballet class when I was 6 years old and from then on I was fascinated by it. My own pursuit of music started back in 2005 when I started writing short Poems/of events about my life that had strong impact on me.

Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?

Kfir: KFIR Mehashe Danieli is my full birth name. THE NAME KFIR [(k)fir; Origin: Hebrew; Pronunciation: kah-feer] means Lion’s Cub or Son of the Lion. Its used in the old testament. Its traits: Pleasant, magnetic, strong, ambitious & bold. And I like to think that because my dad is a Leo (astrological sign) I’m his baby cub:)

Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?

Kfir: For new artists I think that online sharing is important since you want to get your sound out there at any price, and I have done that and did give music away for free. Though I strongly believe that artists in general need to get paid for the hard work and money they invest in creating songs, there’s so much that goes into making a song from money to emotional and physical efforts and just like any other business, music is business as well and people still have to make a living to survive! There’s nothing wrong with making a living from your talent, it’s your life, your work!

Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?

Kfir:Hustle, hustle! Network whenever you can, meet whomever you can, write great music and make the presentation flawless and inviting so you can book the gigs wherever you want. Remember your first impression is the key! So make most of it while pursuing those club owners. Above all be human…

Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?

Kfir: I’ve been on stage since the age of 9, I still battle stage fright and learnt how to deal with it as much as I can, though mistakes always happen, It’s a live show and without them it wouldn’t be a live show it would be a rehearsal.

So the best thing I found is that no matter what happens you have to go on, I used to get so frustrated and make those facial expressions of self -disappointment and I knew people could tell I screwed up, so now I try to make it part of the show and channel the mistake energy into the next moment so there’s a continuation and the show keeps going. You must go on no matter what…..

Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?

Kfir: I toured a lot as a professional ballet dancer, all over the states, Japan and more. In March 2009 till 2011 I was touring with the Broadway US national tour of Phantom of The Opera. I love touring. One of my main goals is to create a strong musical catalog and to create an elaborate stage show and tour the world with it.

My vision is to create a stage concept of the biggest Opera house that turn into a dance club..I just love touring and meeting new people and visiting new places.

Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?

Kfir: I never write about situations I haven’t been through. It’s really important to me because of the authenticity of the song I want it to connect. Feelings and emotions are such global thing they just need to be true so that others can relate. If I haven’t been in a situation I’m writing about I try to put myself in that person’s shoes and imagine how they would I react. Sometimes the lyrics will come to me in a form of a poem usually with rhymes and sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night with melodies that I rush to record on my iPhone. I can also be on the subway and hear one word coming out of someone lips and it will resonate with me and spark an idea for a new song…I try to listen to the world around me very carefully.

Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?

Kfir:I have my own website www.kfir.com and I use Tunecore to sale my music on iTunes. Though I also use www.soundcloud.com/kfir

Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?

Kfir:I’m obsessed with The Ten Commandments Movie by Cecil B. DeMille from 1956, the score by Elmer Bernstein is on my player but I NEVER EVER think of it as embarrassing. I think of it as an inspiration.

Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?

Kfir:I would never take a year off, though I would take the money and create the most amazing music I can make and a brilliant stage show, promote it around the world and go on tour:,) while supporting and donating to the fight against cancer especially, Leukemia. My younger sister passed away after a fierce battle with it two years ago.

Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?

Kfir: At home I write on using Garageband and my keyboard. My close friend and Producer Mark Eddinger is working with me to develop my sound, direction, and plan a solid strategy for my career, Now I’m recording with Grammy award winning Producer and engineer Jason Corsaro (Duran Duran, Madonna), Drummer phenomenon Steve Ferrone (Average White Band, Chaka Khan, Eric Clapton, Tom Petty & The Heart Breakers, Duran Duran) and Singer Curtis King Jr. (Bruce Springsteen, Duran Duran) and co-writer Benjamin Samama.

All of these recordings take place in a real studio… last time I record was at the Barber Shop Studios in New Jersey.

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

Kfir: I found that Tunecore is helpful with all the affiliates online stores it connects you too, and also all social media like Twitter, FB and Instagram.

Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?

Kfir:I would love to perform with Annie Lennox, I just love her voice and always looked up to her as a vocalist..I used to dream about singing live with her, who knows……..

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

Artist: Above all I want to create a Foundation in my late sister’s name for people who fight cancer, I have to help somehow!! I’m working on completing my new EP Have It All, finalizing a new documentary I made with Director Daphne Schmon about the whole process and the making of my new music video to be released soon called Cheap Thrill. I’m looking forward to seeing the new TV drama Flesh & Bone of STARZ network airing in November 2015, I was part of its filming last summer. I am now focused on finding a home for all my projects so I can get it all done and start touring. I have so much more I want to do.

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

Kfir:I would be dead!

Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?

Kfir: I think my first album was actually a Disney movie soundtrack my parents bought me and my sister and it was Snow White, I remember loving to stare at the cover LOL, I was 4.

Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?

Kfir:I was fortunate to be in a Broadway show and maybe will audition for new ones, but I’m at the point where I don’t want to do anyone else work but mine!

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2015?

Kfir: A lot, I have so much to give and creates. Hopefully the Universe will allow me to do it all and share every single bit of it with the world!