Biography
Tamar Aphek emerged as an early force in Israel's underground rock community, where her guitar skills and commanding alto voice fused into what she terms "Jazz & Roll." Years of band work preceded her first solo songwriting showcase on the 2014 Collision EP, followed by a fuller realization of her vision on the smoky, free-flowing 2021 album All Bets Are Off.
Born to diplomats, Aphek lived in Egypt for four years during childhood. Upon returning to Israel she traveled internationally with the Ankor Children's Choir and studied piano at a conservatory high school. Only at age 18 did rock capture her attention, when two years of military service introduced her to Sonic Youth, Unwound, Blonde Redhead, and Elliott Smith. Around the same period she acquired her first guitar and amplifier; while pursuing a law degree at Tel Aviv University she joined the band ED as guitarist in 2005. After ED dissolved, Aphek and former bandmate drummer Guy Schecter formed the duo Carusella in 2007. The group refined its heavy yet catchy approach on the 2008 self-titled album, performed alongside Deerhoof, Editors, and Kylesa, and disbanded in 2011. In 2012 Aphek collaborated with Useless ID drummer Jonathan Harpak under the name Shoshana, issuing the Youth Tax EP that year.
Her solo career began with the 2014 Collision EP. Two years afterward she composed the guitar-driven score for Asaph Polonsky's dramedy One Week and a Day, later released as an EP. Linking up with bassist Or Dromi and drummer David Gorensteyn, Aphek shaped a style that merged her experimental-rock foundation with jazz's improvisational character. Self-produced and tracked at the Daptone studio, the resulting album All Bets Are Off appeared on Kill Rock Stars in January 2021.
Born to diplomats, Aphek lived in Egypt for four years during childhood. Upon returning to Israel she traveled internationally with the Ankor Children's Choir and studied piano at a conservatory high school. Only at age 18 did rock capture her attention, when two years of military service introduced her to Sonic Youth, Unwound, Blonde Redhead, and Elliott Smith. Around the same period she acquired her first guitar and amplifier; while pursuing a law degree at Tel Aviv University she joined the band ED as guitarist in 2005. After ED dissolved, Aphek and former bandmate drummer Guy Schecter formed the duo Carusella in 2007. The group refined its heavy yet catchy approach on the 2008 self-titled album, performed alongside Deerhoof, Editors, and Kylesa, and disbanded in 2011. In 2012 Aphek collaborated with Useless ID drummer Jonathan Harpak under the name Shoshana, issuing the Youth Tax EP that year.
Her solo career began with the 2014 Collision EP. Two years afterward she composed the guitar-driven score for Asaph Polonsky's dramedy One Week and a Day, later released as an EP. Linking up with bassist Or Dromi and drummer David Gorensteyn, Aphek shaped a style that merged her experimental-rock foundation with jazz's improvisational character. Self-produced and tracked at the Daptone studio, the resulting album All Bets Are Off appeared on Kill Rock Stars in January 2021.
Albums
Singles
