Keeping it Real with Musician, Tavana McMoore
MUDRA LOVE: Your father, a musician who hosted Polynesian shows in Waikiki, deeply influenced your musical journey. His work inspired you to blend Hawaiian, Polynesian music, and Tahitian drumming into your style. You’ve also drawn from artists like Jimi Hendrix, Willie K, and John Cruz, with Blues and Rock and Roll playing a significant role. Where are you now with your songwriting and music? Who inspires you today? Do you see your style evolving, or have you found a sound you’re settling into
TAVANA MCMOORE: I write because I have to. It keeps me balanced and gives me the sense of purpose I think every person needs. So in that regard I think I’ll always be in the same place musically. Which is just working at my craft day by day without expectation of it leading me to some grandiose goal but instead as a practice or a way of life. I get inspiration from so many things. Hard times, good times, other artists. I think life gives us more than enough inspiration for a lifetime of creativity. Because of that I think I will constantly be changing and growing musically. No day is ever the same. My music is the same way.
ML: I’m thinking about the lyrics to one of your songs. It goes something like this: “Perfect isn’t real, so just be you.” How do you remain authentic to yourself?
TM: I think acceptance is a big part of authenticity. Accepting yourself fully for all that you are. Your strengths and weaknesses. That way you don’t have to fear being seen by others. You don’t have to be afraid of asking for what you need.
ML: You’ve released albums, about every three years, since 2007. What has helped you stay consistent?
TM: For me releasing music consistently is a byproduct of creating regularly. I also feel strongly that it’s important to share your art. In whatever capacity you can. You never know who it will help. Plus, It’s hard to create new things when your still holding on to old things. So I tend to make sure to release, or let go of what I’ve been working on, pretty regularly.
ML: You’ve been performing for a long time now. You played in bars, sometimes for an audience of two, for twelve years. What kept you going all these years?
TM: If I do my job right the people in the audience leave my show feeling better than when they arrived. This is true even if there’s only one person there. When I see that I’ve done my job it makes me feel good. That feeling is the same with one person or a thousand. So I have always felt lucky to be doing this. It’s been an amazing ride.
ML: Can you take us through a day when you have a performance? What are the feelings you get right before, during, and after a show?
TM: Show day used to be so stressful for me. When I knew I had a big show coming up I would over prepare and over think everything. Oftentimes at the expense of the people closest to me. These days I live my life for me and my family all the way until I hit the stage. Then I give myself fully to the music and the audience. Then when I leave, I am back to being a dad/friend/son/etc. So, show days now are just like any other day except I get to jam for people too.
ML: Do you have any rituals, or anything you do to help you prepare for a show?
TM: No not really
ML: Where’s your favorite place to write?
TM: I usually write at home but sometimes when I’m having trouble with something or just need a new perspective I’ll go elsewhere. I’ve found that different places bring out different kinds of songs. I have a few places that are my favorites. Hikes, beaches, stairwells.
ML: What’s something funny or surprising that’s happened to you while performing?
TM: working in bars in the early days provided lots of stories. I’ve had fights break out, been puked on, tips stolen, I had people propose, break up. I could really go on and on. Good times.
ML: Can you give us some insight into your creative process? What does it look like?
TM: My creative process has become like a daily check in with myself. It’s a way for me to convene with my emotions and find out what’s going on underneath. I usually sit down with an instrument and just start to play and sing freely without thinking. Sometimes I discover things that I really like. If that happens, I begin to mold it into a song. If it doesn’t happen then it’s ok too. I still got to check in with me.
ML: How would you sum up your creative process in one word?
TM: Freedom
ML: What is the best takeaway someone can get from your listening to one your songs?
TM: I just want people to feel like they aren’t alone. If my music can connect with others who have had similar experiences and give them hope, then I’m happy.
ML: If I weren’t making music, I’d be…
TM: Probably dead
