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Premiere: Hawk in the Nest – “Don’t Leave Me This Way” (Video)
Published: December 5, 2024

Avi Jacob. Photo provided by the artist.

Hawk in the Nest is the new project from Avi Jacob, a songwriter living in Providence, RI but with deep roots in the Charleston music scene since he called the city home for several years. Today Extra Chill is premiering the first single, “Don’t Leave Me This Way” from the debut LP.

The soulful track was recorded in Charleston at The Space with producer Wolfgang Zimmerman. The band features a talented group of Charleston musicians: Noah Jones on keys, Joel Hamilton on bass and Wolfgang Zimmerman on drums. Along with the single is a live in-studio video shot by Nick Samuels.

“Don’t Leave Me This Way” marks a stylistic shift from Avi’s previously folk-oriented sound, moving in a more R&B-inspired direction, with smooth vocals and a certified groovy arrangement.

Enjoy the video below, and read on for a Q&A with Avi about the single, the recording process, and his vision as an artist.

Hawk in the Nest – “Don’t Leave Me This Way” Live in Studio

Q&A with Avi Jacob of Hawk in the Nest

Where are you living these days? How are things going?

I am in Providence RI and it is currently quite cold. Americans just elected a rapist rather than elect a woman, so things are not great overall. It’s going to be pretty important for us to protect vulnerable communities while their rights come under attack constantly for at least 4 years. 

This album represents a shift from the folk oriented sound you released under your own name in the past. What inspired this move towards a soulful, full band sound?

Wolfie and I did a single called “Cannonball” a few years back, and my original songs have just been moving into an r&b direction. The first time I ever performed alone on stage was doing a Michael Jackson tribute act when I was 10. Before I even discovered folk music I was obsessed with Boys II Men, Michael Jackson, & Lauryn Hill. 

What does the name, Hawk in the Nest, represent to you?

I saw a hawk in my backyard and got a feeling that if we could talk to a bird it would say “what the fuck is wrong with you, why are you fighting with racists on Facebook instead of being present with your loved ones?”

Left to right: Noah Jones, Joel Hamilton, Avi Jacob, and Wolfgang Zimmerman at The Space. Photo provided by the artist.

How was working with Wolfgang, in Charleston? You lived here for a while, so it must have been good to return.

Yeah ! Wolfie and I actually started an album like 7 years ago, but we wanted to kill each other after a week in the studio and it got scrapped. I am obsessive-compulsive and was a lot more high strung at that point in my life, so I was trying to make something perfect. But perfection is not a realistic goal. In fact the striving for perfection made the possible impossible.

What do you like most about this first single, “Don’t Leave Me This Way?”

That it brings me joy to hear the way that Wolfie, Joel, Noah, and I were vibing in the studio. They are such incredible artists and it was a privilege to have them be part of this. 

Anything else you want to mention about your music, songwriting, or goals?

My goal is for this music to become a small but useful part of some great machine that fights fascists. 

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