Tamar Aphek
Tel Aviv, IL
Rock
Tamar Aphek is a leading figure in the Israeli rock scene, dubbed "guitar goddess" by Timeout Tel-Aviv. She founded the "Besides That" music festival and scored the Cannes award-winning film "One Week And A Day."
After years in a children's choir, piano lessons, and even law school, Aphek made a dramatic pivot to electric guitar. She's toured the US and Europe with her bands Carusella and Shoshana before launching her solo project.
Her debut album All Bets Are Off blends unexpected elements—Johnny Cash melodies with Max Roach drumming, Ethiopian rhythms, and reggae feels. She produced it herself, recording at Daptone Records with mixing by Daniel Schlett (War on Drugs, DIIV) and mastering by Greg Calbi (John Lennon, Bob Dylan, David Bowie).
The album embraces improvisation and contrasts, moving between intense tracks like "Crossbow" and intimate ones like "All I Know." It explores jealousy, love, anger, and escape—meant to feel like "a rollercoaster" that mirrors life's shifting moods.
The title reflects life's uncertainties and contradictions. Written before COVID-19, it gained prophetic resonance during the pandemic. Despite addressing rage and injustice, the album ends with Casablanca's theme song, affirming her belief in love and friendship.
