Award-winning singer-songwriter and global citizen Eli Lev’s empathic writing and infectious folk-based sensibility has been his universal passport into our collective hearts.
Over the past five years, Maryland artist Eli Lev released Four Directions, an epic debut compiling four conceptual EPs (All Roads East 2017, Way Out West 2018, Deep South 2019, True North 2021) inspired by indigenous traditions he learned while teaching on the Navajo Nation. This collection, praised for its authenticity and emotional resonance, connects generations and cultures.
Raised in Silver Spring, Maryland, Eli’s diverse upbringing shaped his global perspective. Before pursuing music, he studied in Indiana, taught in the US, lived abroad, and earned a Master’s in English Education.
Eli’s latest release, Walk. Talk. Dance. Sing. (2022), is a five-song collection reflecting on the pandemic, blending acoustic sounds with diverse genres like pop, indie, and Caribbean influences. Notable tracks include the Bon Iver-inspired “Be Your Someone,” the electro-pop “Move As You Do,” and the folk-pop “Singing Along for the First Time,” featuring fiddler Crosby Cofod. The EP captures the emotional journey of the global crisis and pays homage to the impact of classic mixtapes.
Eli has received acclaim from American Songwriter, Paste Magazine, and other outlets. His 2019 album Way Out Westwon a Washington Area Music Award (WAMMIE) for “Best Country/Americana Album,” while “Chasing Daylight” earned the grand prize in the SAW Mid-Atlantic Songwriting Competition. In 2021, he won a WAMMIE for “Best Pop Artist.”
As a dedicated touring artist, Eli has performed at notable venues like the Kennedy Center and 9:30 Club and has toured internationally. He values connecting with audiences and learning about diverse cultures through his music.
Eli’s grassroots approach allows him to sustain a full-time music career, supported by his fan community, “The Levitators.” He successfully launched crowdfunding campaigns and is a coach for Modern Musician, helping other artists build profitable careers. He emphasizes the importance of musicians taking control of their destinies and building communities around their art.
Eli continues to tour and work on new projects, with upcoming releases like Three Worlds, Two Friends, and One Road. Reflecting on his journey, he expresses gratitude for the community he’s built through music and looks forward to future adventures with his fans.
Eli Lev explores the role of ritual and joy in his new solo cut, with ‘Dancin’ On The Lawn’ bristling with happiness. An up tempo, upbeat number, Eli Lev’s rounded approach to melody seems to exude joy from each note.
– CLASH
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