About Tavis
He is considered a “Wordsmith” and a “Modern-Day Psalmist” by his contemporaries. But it hasn’t been an easy road to walk. After many grueling years of fighting his way into each and every venue possible in Hollywood and Orange County, after gaining and then ditching many high-profile sponsors such as Quiksilver and Invisible Children, (and holding on to the more obscure ones such as Discover the Journey and Gospel for Asia), and after half a dozen promising attempts at signing, recording and touring fell through miserably, Tavis has emerged like a phoenix bursting fiercely into the air and ripping through the clouds to ascend high above the ranks of the typical, contemporary singer/songwriter. Although heralded for his sparse, yet bone-chilling performances, and his distinct style of guitar-playing, it is his ability to weave words like a master storyteller that sets him far apart. He is an Impressionist, literally painting scenes and portraits of life and the experiences therein. The characters he employs range from dying soldiers and street boys in Haiti, to hypocrites in the American church and fallen angels. The stories he tells reminisce of shocking childhood experiences such as the suicide of a close friend, and grasping for hope amidst the desperation of a rushed marriage.
The release of Tavis’ debut EP is historic, because not only does it mark the commencement of a new path for Tavis in the quest to have his music and message spread throughout the world, but in a very grave sense, this humble offering of songs is a monument to the punishing, arduous journey that has brought him to this point.
At first listen, there is an immediate appreciation for the veritable lack of production normally showcased by artists today. In fact, only two of the seven songs on “The Acoustic Sessions EP” utilize anything more than his pleasantly melodic voice and beautiful guitar playing. On most of the tracks he employs his signature finger-picking methods, which are completely self-taught, and deserve much appreciation. His desire from the start was to offer a small collection of his favorite songs, to be thoughtfully enjoyed on road trips and watching the sunset, was accomplished quite effortlessly, and the result is more than worth the few dollars you’ll have to pay to get a copy.
One could easily assume that this release would trigger a flurry of touring activity and promotion, however, Tavis plans to approach the market cautiously, initially offering only a limited number of copies. He has already started pre-production on a new, full-length album, which he says is an appealing affront to the current state of heartless Christianity in America. Although the details are currently being kept under wraps, he does plan to make his debut full-length album available before Christmas this year.