Life & Work with Perception Avivah of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Perception Avivah.

Hi Perception, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Perception Avivah, I am a 22-year-old multidisciplinary artist from East Atlanta, Georgia. I have been involved in the arts for as long as I can remember. I have always found beauty, art and music very enticing. Dancing, acting and writing came hand in hand as my comfort. While singing ironically became something I was terrified to do in public. Time passed and I began to experiment with recording on my phone. I would layer harmonies and loop them, then sing a separate song over them.
I dropped my first song “Born 2 Roam” in 2021 as an ode to the depressive state of almost every teenager during COVID. I continued studying on my own, making covers and remixes. By the time I graduated high school I jumped right into it all. I worked some interesting food service hours and bought equipment to produce and record with. Simultaneously I would stage photoshoots in my room. I began going to castings and dabbling in more of the modeling world as well. Later I began to do features and before I knew it, I had dropped over 6 singles. I did background acting, modeling and backstage management for fashion shows. I later began to work with the magazine ALTXATL as a makeup artist. I would work this position for 6 months before moving to Production Assistant, and later the Director of Operations.
By 2023 I dropped my first EP completely produced by myself. This project was another ode, this time to escapism and the desire to do the roaming I seemed to think a burden in my first song. By 2024 I established myself as a singer/songwriter, producer, model, actor, makeup artist, and director. I did my first live music performance and it is this year also that I did my first sound design for a beautiful short film. “The Tide Between Us.” A riveting romance piece from the mind of the talented Odessa Whitlock. Our interaction geared me towards applying to my first fellowship program. Today I am a part of a worldwide music program called “Darkspark” that teaches community leadership and organization through music. As I continue this journey, I am excited to execute and share what I have learned with others. This year has brought so many new adventures, friends and fun!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has been rocky, slippery even sometimes. Atlanta’s bustling creative scene can feel demotivating and the rise of AI usage in art has made room for much argument in creative approaches. Atlanta is praised as “Black Hollywood” and rightfully so. More often than not, there is the crisp air of inspiration. In some cases, however, especially when it comes to social media. The crisp becomes a burning smoke of whose song is the hottest? Whose visuals are the best? or Who’s doing the next new thing? Ironically it can feel that if you are not focused on these things, you are not doing anything “serious” or worth pouring into. I would consider that doubt the slippery side. The rocky part, being the process of getting any creative endeavor in motion. There can be struggles of finding resources and sometimes struggles in concept execution. Maybe models cancel last minute, photographers show late or not at all. Maybe makeup takes extra time or there’s a prop you can’t find or make in time. These are the simple woes of production that can seem uncontrollable. Sometimes struggles come from my own personal discontent with what I’m creating, a hunger to do more, true to my insatiable nature. I think the biggest struggle of all can be accepting the reminder that not even creativity is a linear journey. The road is rocky and slippery, but I can make it.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Despite my multi nature, I know my first love is music. I specialize in it and am proud of my recent choice to remove my music from streaming services. I am working towards creating physical media for my listeners to interact with as well as in person experiences. I prefer a more personal and intentional approach to music and being able to connect and share music with others intentionally is a dream of mine. It is very easy to get caught up in the highs of streaming culture and skipping through to your favorite part, I think the way music has progressed is so interesting and I am excited to see where it goes in the future. Simultaneously, I feel it important that we take the time to listen to music with more than just our ears. Interact with the sight, smells and taste that a song can provide you with when you truly listen. Most importantly, interact with the soul feeling that music provides. I feel what sets me apart is that I focus on the soul feeling of music. I feel the same way about creating art and directing. Being on set or in any creative space should feel just as beautiful as the final result. Unnecessary strictness and attitudes of judgement can cause a negative impact on the result, but most importantly the experience. I am most proud of my constant choice to stay true to myself, and true to my experience.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
I would urge people to make meaningful real-life connections with those that truly love you and what you are doing. Social media presence is what may get you into a room but it’s not what will keep you there or even have you invited again.
Don’t be afraid to focus and experience things from the bottom up. If you are aiming to create something to last, it will not benefit you to focus on anything but your foundation first.
Go to casting calls, go to open mics, meet people and let them meet you! The more honest you are with yourself and others, the faster you will find your way. Take your time and allow your experience to take you where you want to be.
Your creativity is not something that you are to be controlled by. In a lot of spaces, you will hear that it is best to execute an idea immediately before someone else does it or before you forget. If it is your idea, it won’t go anywhere without you. Take your time to create the things you truly want to make. I personally like to keep a journal for everything, and it has helped me so much!
Most importantly, I wish I knew how to let myself be a true student more often in the beginning. When I started, I felt like I had to know everything. So much so, I began to bow out of learning opportunities with the concern that I wasn’t qualified or I didn’t have enough experience. I wonder sometimes, what would have happened if instead I became curious about what was available to me, instead of judgmental and punishing about what I didn’t have yet.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://perception315.bandcamp.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dercedtion_/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dercedtion
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-656227130?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing