HYIM is in his own category as a musician. His background has lead him to explore many types of sounds and rhythms. Through his ability to connect to so many types of sounds, he has learned how to create something truly original. He touches people with his unique ability to speak many languages of love and compassion. His music influences come from a deep connections to conga music, classical music, hip hop, jazz, and many others. Through his studies as a therapist, he continues to touch people in ways that is healing and revealing.

Hyim has traveled the World through his musical talents, to places like Brazil, Thailand, throughout Europe, and many more. As of now, he resides in LA, creating magic in his live shows across the West Coast. Aside from pursuing his music career, Hyim has been a dedicated in his work with the youth, specifically by counseling teens with issues of anger and destruction. In fact, he is well on his way to becoming a licensed therapist. 7 Days Theory caught up with the multi-talented and busy artist to learn more about what sparked his love for music and people.

What was the first instrument you decided to learn how to play and why?

I would say piano was the first.  As a kid in diapers I would watch my dad play and try to copy him when he wasn’t watching…was hard though cuz he had such big hands!  I just loved the way it sounded as a kid.  It filled the room and home with such warmth.  Was like a blanket, a sense of safety.

 

Has music always been an integral part of your life?

No doubt.  My mom was also a musician.  She would sing and play dulcimer and guitar.  We would sing in the car.  My parents were divorced when I was 1 years old—both homes had a lot of music in them.

 

 

When and why did you decide to pursue music professionally?

I decided when I was on the banks of the Ganges River in Varanasi, India.  I was there studying Sitar with a teacher named Papa G.  I was having this long discussion with two Buddhist folks who were studying meditation etc in the same town.  I was telling them of my desire to be a healer…yet wasn’t sure if that meant being a professional musician –recording artist as well as performer or being a doctor or social worker.  My family is comprised of numerous doctors and healers, teachers and social workers—it’s in my blood;  I have worked teens teaching peace as well as worked with homeless youth and run groups in addiction recovery programs.   So that discussion helped me realize that music was my path because I could amplify my voice and vision for what this world can be and disseminate the little knowledge and wisdom that may be helpful to some.  Music has the profound capacity to be experienced  and felt my numerous people even when the artist is not there.

 

Describe your signature sound?

Urban World Beat, with a side of Balladry.   My most recent album is an album of all ballads called “Love Songs in Times of War.”  When I started performing, I had this big killin band called “HYIM & The Fat fOakland Orchestra” but, since I grew up writing a lot of songs just myself and the piano as well as making beats etc, I had all these ballads that I would perform.  A few booking agents and managers talked to me and said I needed to get people dancing more, cuz that’s what the clubs want.  Why?  Because people sweating=more alcohol sales.  So I had to ponder that ya know?  I am being hired to sell alcohol essentially.  I spoke to some of my elders about this.  I almost quit performing.   I was in a parked car and hit by a drunk driver…I know too many women who have been traumatized by men who were intoxicated by alcohol ; in addition to the devastation  addiction to alcohol causes to so many.  So, instead of walking away, I embraced it.  That’s why you see me toasting to various things and raise my glass while I’m on stage and get the audience to join in…I use the drinking as a tool for unifying us and looking out for each other…I use it to celebrate. So, since then, I’ve been called the “Eclectic Maestro” by a newspaper in NYC.  I don’t know about the “Maestro” part, but I have studied music in various parts of the world—piano in Cuba, percussion in Brasil, Sitar in India—and have played and performed in numerous bands playing a variety of music: hip hop, reggae, salsa,  folk, classical, klezmer, country, pop, rock, reggaeton, jazz, etc…

My thematic album “Sex in the Morning” and the full orchestra album “HYIM and the Fat fOakland Orchestra” and even my first album “Let Out A Little Peace” reflect that world sound.  I have been hired by film directors of the United Nations to fuse global sounds and rhythms for some of their videos.

I grew up playing blues and classical music as well as hearing all kinds of music on the radio and from friends and my parents.  At 12 I started making hip hop beats for folks and even started rhyming.  From there is just grew.

Now I have finally gone back to my roots of the piano and the voice,  brushing off all these ballads I’ve been writing all these years and putting it out on “Love Songs in Times of War.”

In the end perhaps it is my piano that is my true signature sound.  I learned to play in my father’s house and on the weekends had to keep my volume waaaay down—don’t awaken the beast!  So I played quietly and with the damper pedal engaged, which makes a very full and large mystic sound.  You can totally hear my style on songs like “Sing This For You” and “Fatherless Son” from that album.

So two signature sounds:  piano and international and urban rhythms.

 

 

You hail from the bay, Oakland to be exact. How big of a role does your hometown play when it comes to your sound?

HUGE!  I was born on a commune in San Francisco in the Mission and then when I was 9 moved to Oakland.  Oakland is, and the Mission was, very diverse (gentrification definitely has played a huge roll in reshaping the cultural landscape of San Francisco and it’s happening now in Oakland as well).  So I grew up with friends from all kinds of places and heard all kinds of music—Chinese, Ethiopian, Haitian, etc.

Of course hip hop was THE sound in Oakland as well as a little R&B.  So by 12 years old I was making beats for all the homeys and shalomeys.

 

Tell us about 1 memorable moment in your music career that you’ll never forget.

I was invited  to perform in front of 20,000 people in Poland for this special event.  It was so amazing to hear people chanting my name “Hy-im”, which is Hebrew for “life,” who were Polish.  Only 60 years ago the Polish army and other folks were killing  Jews as fast as possible.  I am very proud of that—hearing them chant “Let Out A Little Peace”.

 

 

As a professional musician, you have people who support you and people who just flat out HATE! How do you deal with the negative commentary?

I send them to my “No Hater Boot Camp”.  Lol!  Honestly, I don’t really deal with flat out haters.  They are dealing with their own Karma and their own rage and will “get theres”.  I am not the “b*tch whisperer” as they say.  I have other things to do with my time.  If someone wants to dialogue I am always down for that, but if someone is just spewing hate and anger and is not constructive…peace out.  I walk away and wish them well.  This world is big enough and that energy is contagious and I already have my own anger issues to deal and don’t need someone triggering my BS, ya know?

 

Tell us the story behind your newest album, Love Songs In Times of War.

Well, you heard about that in a previous question…guess I got ahead of myself!  But I will add that I do believe  that love comes in many forms and is just energy and feeling as well as action.  So when we are inspired to build on the love that is within us and around us, that is always good.  Yet it is so dam hard to do with all the negativity, spiritual deficiency, wars, rage, anger, disillusionment, despair, fear,  trauma, mis-trust, etc.  So I put these songs together that are about beauty and joy and sensuality as well as the sadder parts of life.  It is an album, a collection  of songs, meant to acknowledge that difficulty in life and also inspire a little more love, tenderness, self-reflection, gratitude, and even a little more sexy-time!  Nothing wrong with a little bump n grind.

 

 

What is your mission behind your music?

To cast my energy and voice into the world with the intention of bringing and inspiring some love making, booty shaking,  healing, hella fun, growth, openness and a little more peace.

 

What piece of advice would you give to an aspiring musician?

Decide what you want and go for it.  Be good to the people you meet on the way.  Have fun.  Learn to cook for yourself.  Study and practice your craft.  Keep your integrity, whatever that means to you.  Trust your guts.  Get a good lawyer to look anything over before you sign contracts.  Take good care of your body.  If you tour, learn to exercise on the road be that running, yoga, whatever.  Eat healthy as possible when touring…grocery shop and cook if you need to.  Don’t leave your tour van with your gear in it vulnerable to theft.  Develop a spiritual practice, even if it’s just 5 minutes a day.  IF you want your music to put food on your table and a roof over your head, learn the business.  IF you want to make music for the joy of it, get another profession that can support your sweet artistic addiction.  Remember that you are an ARTIST first, and not just a musician, so be open to the teachings of life and enjoy the wisdom of your elders.

 

 

 

Thanks Hyim, for sharing your guidance, love, and wisdom!!

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