A pioneer in Israel's underground rock scene, Tamar Aphek's guitar prowess and commanding alto vocals combine in a sound she calls "Jazz & Roll." After spending years in bands, Aphek showcased her songwriting skills on 2014's Collision EP and came into her own on 2021's smoky, free-flowing full-length All Bets Are Off.

The child of diplomats, Aphek spent four years in Egypt as a young girl. When she returned to Israel, she toured the world as a member of the Ankor Children's Choir. She also played piano and attended a conservatory high school. Rock music didn't interest her until she was 18, when she discovered artists such as Sonic Youth, Unwound, Blonde Redhead, and Elliott Smith during her two years of military service. She bought her first guitar and amp around this time, and while studying law at Tel Aviv University, she joined the band ED as a guitarist in 2005. When ED ended, Aphek and her former bandmate, drummer Guy Schecter, founded the duo Carusella in 2007. Before disbanding in 2011, Carusella developed their heavy yet catchy sound on their 2008 self-titled album and shared the stage with bands including Deerhoof, Editors and Kylesa. In 2012, Aphek teamed up with Useless ID drummer Jonathan Harpak as Shoshana and released the Youth Tax EP that same year.

Aphek made her debut as a solo artist in 2014 with the Collision EP. Two years later, she wrote the guitar-driven score to Asaph Polonsky's dramedy One Week and a Day, which was released as an EP. Aphek connected with bassist Or Dromi and drummer David Gorensteyn to forge a sound that combined her experimental rock roots with the improvisational feel of jazz. Recorded at the Daptone studio, Aphek self-produced her debut album, All Bets Are Off, which Kill Rock Stars issued January 2021. ~ Heather Phares, Rovi