What’s your artist name, and how long have you been singing? 

My artist name is my real name - Sivan Talmor. I've been making music for many years. I'd say I started when I was about 9, which is when I started to study professional opera singing. When I was 11, I participated in a large scale musical in Israel at the national theatre ‘Habima.’  

What’s the origin of that name, is it your real name? 

My name, Sivan, is a Hebrew month. It means the month of June- when I was born.

Who wrote "I'll Be"? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?

I wrote “I’ll Be". It is a song that was actually written at first as a forgiveness song. My husband and I had had a fight, and afterwards I just started writing this song, as if to say "I'm willing to give anything, I'm willing to be everything for you if you'd just forgive me and accept me again." With time, I added another verse and noticed how it became a true love song, probably the first one I've managed to write.

I guess love is a main theme in my writing, because it's what drives me the most…but love, to me, has a lot of meanings and angles  - love to your earth, love to yourself, to your family, children, to your society and so on.... it has a lot of different angles and perspectives that could take my art to different places.  

What acts are currently inspiring the music that you’re making? Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start making music? 

Everything inspires me...someone's story, a song I hear on the radio, a good book or a movie, dreams, beautiful landscapes, floating thoughts. I try to let it all go into my mind and mix together. If my inner-self is quiet enough, it almost always becomes a song. There wasn't one specific song or a concert that made me start writing, though during the years I could definitely say I had a couple of concerts that inspired me and gave me power to continue to do what I do, and never break: Leonard Cohen in Israel, Eddie Vedder in London, Arctic Monkeys in Berlin.... 

What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, etc.

The only thing I really do is try not to be connected to my phone on that day... Instead I try to let myself connect to my thoughts and not deal with irrelevant stuff. I believe everything can wait. I need to give my audience myself, totally, without external stimulations. 

What has been the biggest highlight of your artistic career so far?

Wow... I've had a couple along the way. I try each time to find a new target to achieve, a new climax to dream of. I am always looking for new inspiration. From singing in the largest venues in Israel (places that I always dreamed of performing at since I was a kid), to opening the main ceremony of Israel's Independence day, to performing my first concert abroad in Barcelona, to having a sold out concert with people that had never heard anything about me besides my music, I have been so grateful to continue to have experiences like these that have allowed me to continue to heighten my aspirations. 

If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?

Wow…a hard question. If I were to be a tour opening act, it would be a tie between Bon Iver, M.ward, Emiliana Torrini or Feist. But if it was about who I'd want to duet with- it would probably be Tom Waits or Leonard Cohen, two of my greatest idols. 

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I just hope my music gets into the hearts of people, and makes them truly feel something. I guess it’s all about making some change in this world, even if it's one by one - heart by heart.

FB:
https://www.facebook.com/SivanTalmorPage/

Twitter: 
https://twitter.com/sivantalmor

Insta: 
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YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/user/TalmorSivan

SoundCloud:
https://soundcloud.com/sivan-talmor