Art & Life with Ezra Vancil

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ezra Vancil.

Ezra, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I could be writing about a tragedy of a life right now. But I’m one of those lucky souls who got a second chance. And, always hope my story reaches someone else who needs a second chance.

I had an odd (some might say) upbringing. I was born in Dallas, in my parent’s living room. The woman I am married to now was a two-year-old sitting in the next room at my birth, a childhood friend.

We were always below the poverty line and moved 30’something times before we landed in Oak Cliff again. They were musicians and we toured a lot.

Back in Oak Cliff, I did a half day at Sunset & half at Booker T. Washington for Visual Arts. But I had the music bug. I playing in a band in Deep Ellum. I was soon signed with a substantial L.A. development deal. I dropped out of school and lived the rock ‘n roll life for a while until I was dropped by the label in my 20’s. The music never saw much success.

After that, I made a living by day as a Graphic Artist but continued music aggressively. Gaining some success here and there with an exclusive Japan deal through an SXSW showcase; Our music landing many Major TV shows.

My secret was that I was fighting a battle with Alcoholism and severe depression most of my life. I married that childhood friend from Oak Cliff in my 30’s who was also wrestling with addiction. By the end of my 30’s, things had gone very badly. I was laying in an ER after another suicide attempt. The doctors didn’t think I would make it and before that time my family had resigned to the fact that I would not see 40.

I was eaten up with drug and alcohol addiction. I was unable to function, a shut-in. I had gotten an alcohol-related felony in those years and after recovering from the suicide, had a heart attack because my body was so abused.

I don’t really know why, but one day I decided, no more. I got help. And I stuck with it. My wife had filed for divorce but over the coming year, my life changed drastically and now six years later we have a very happy home together in Oak Cliff that we have turned in to our studios (my wife is a Metalsmith Artist). Outside of our Artist lives, we spend as much time as we can be talking with people like me, like us; who need a second chance and are facing hard odds in life.

My music career picked back up and I travel often; doing mostly private home concerts and speaking wherever I can about addiction. I also am a 2018 Kerrville New Folk finalist this year and still focus on TV/Film placements for music.

I didn’t know why I should go on living in those dark years; my life was a complete disaster. But I’ve found that my story is helpful to others who face hard times in life. I cannot put into words how meaningful that is to me. My new album, titled ‘You’, celebrates my love for my wife. I’m also recording a live album at the Arts Mission Oak Cliff July 14th that celebrates my love for life and second chances.

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
My music has changed a lot over the years. I used to be more in the indie rock scene but I find myself more connected to the Americana community now. Which is closer to my roots in music.
At this stage in my life, songwriting has become a type of meditation for me. It helps me answer a lot of questions about myself and others. I’m always grateful when I hear that it has helped someone else in their day.
I recently released an album titled ‘You’, that explores ten years of marriage, with all its twists and turns. I think that this album represents what I feel about art; that being, above all, it should be honest.

In your view, what is the biggest issue artists have to deal with?
Like the Dickens novel, I think artist are facing both the best of times and the worst of times. There are more ways than ever to build a truly fulfilling career in art. For the first time in history, an artist has the tools and access to blaze their own unique path. That brings with it though, the battle we face today, which I believe is how do we keep our work authentic while we are also wearing the Marketers hat.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
You will mostly find me doing home concerts these days. If you someone would like a concert in their home they can contact me through http://twitter.com/ezravancil or [email protected]

I also have a live taping of a concert at Art’s Mission Oak Cliff on July 14th. Which is something I call’ Ezra Vancil & The Congregation’, with my band and a chorus of vocalists.

The new album titled ‘You’ is available on Bandcamp
https://ezravancil.bandcamp.com/album/you
And all major music platforms.

You can help me stay on the road at
www.Patreon.com/ezravancil

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ezravancil.com
• Phone: Booking: (970) 480-1695
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: instagram.com/ezravancil
• Facebook: facebook.com/ezravancilmusic
• Twitter: twitter.com/ezravancil
• Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/53DBJZYKrYOYUGz0co8XLQ?si=FI78vJGySXKchFTDkSdz2g

Image Credit:
Siouxsie Romack

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