ABOUT THE EPISODE

For the inaugural interview episode of “Creative Space,” we have the pleasure of speaking with singer/songwriter Avi Wisnia about his new album, Catching Leaves, and the 10 years that’s passed since his last full-length release.

The reason for the gap? The passing of his older brother and the grief that followed. Avi opens up about his healing journey and enlightens us to the fact that “grief is not linear” and how his return to music came full circle with a little help from his late grandfather David.

This podcast is available on Apple Podcasts and wherever you listen to podcasts here. 

ABOUT AVI WISNIA

Singer/songwriter Avi Wisnia has performed around the world in venues like The Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City and The Kennedy Center in D.C., playing alongside artists like The Roots and Ani DeFranco. He recently starred alongside his late grandfather, David Wisnia, in the documentary, How Saba Kept Singing, which was executive produced by Hilary Rodham Clinton and Chelsea Clinton. It recounts how music and love helped David survive nearly three years in the German Nazi death camp, Auschwitz.  

For more on Avi Wisnia, visit: www.aviwisnia.com.

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SHOW NOTES

0:00—Introduction

1:00—How did we meet again?

2:18—Musical beginnings with actual chopsticks

4:38—The Jets, Debbie Gibson, and Ben Folds

6:57—We create from everything

7:57—Fighting insecurity as an artist

10:22—Where does creativity come from?

16:20—Avi’s songwriting process

21:51— “Catching” Inspiration

24:33—Grief and a 10-year musical break

28:30—How music saved his grandfather’s life in the Holocaust

31:00—Returning to Auschwitz to perform with his grandfather

32:51—Music as a vehicle to move forward from pain

34:06—“How Saba Kept Singing”