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1.) We’re super-excited to have some time today with acclaimed South London singer and songwriter Liam Mera Kai; greetings and salutations Liam and welcome to Vents Magazine! Before we meander down the proverbial Q&A musical pathway, how is the latter-part of 2024 finding you and yours?
Thanks for the lovely welcome! I’m equally as excited to be here. The year has flown by as they always do, I guess. I’m doing well. Still doing what I love and that’s making music. So, everything happens with a smile (most of the time).
2.) Major kudos and accolades on your freshly-minted new single wishbone! Starting at the top, can you talk about what inspired one of the very best singles of ‘24?
The song’s about a girl. I always make the joke that I tend to write about my relationships more than anything else…but there’s plenty of truth in that. I’m a big believer that relationships are the foundations of the way we live our lives. There’s a reason why most of our favourite songs involve love, heartbreak or sit somewhere in between.
If I’m honest, wishbone stemmed from realizing some cracks in my relationship at the time. It was this kind of uncomfortable, yet necessary, feeling and conversation that I needed to have with myself. However, being aware of this was a strangely reassuring feeling. Often, I think we’re so blinded by love and admiration for a person, that we become so used to overlooking things we shouldn’t. I felt myself wishing and almost praying that we were going to make it work. In my eyes, no relationship should rely on that. So, the fact that my eyes were open wide enough to write the song meant a lot to me.
3.) wishbone blends elements of alt hip-hop, jazz, neo-soul, and UK garage to deliver to music aficionados something altogether new and quite different in the very best of ways! Was it always your intention to mix this particularly potent brand of cocktail genre-wise, or did this all happen quite organically?
I think there is something so beautiful about musical contradictions. Especially when those contradictions can induce emotion. Music is something that is naturally very harmonious and put together. But blending aspects (in this case genres) that you may not have heard together? That’s where we can find these refreshing “pockets”. It’s less about forcing genres together and more about subtly combining aspects from different walks of music. Lyricism can then add a whole new layer to all of that. While the hook feels melodic and addictive, I wanted the flow of the rap verses in wishbone to feel stickier and less polished. It’s pretty natural to me to do this as personally, it makes the music feel more relatable.
4.) Who did the producing honors on wishbone and what did the in-studio collaboration between artist and producer look like while fashioning and shaping this new gem of a ditty?
A very talented guy named Benji Tawo. He’s been making some exceptional stuff of his own recently. Check him out whenever you get the chance.
5.) In your humble opinion, what differentiates wishbone from the Distinguished Competition on the current day music scene?
wishbone feels natural. A lot of music recently just feels over-produced and over-worked. While most artists crave this polished, rounded and almost fault-free sound, I think there is so much space for music that feels more natural. Music that reflects the rugged, unhinged state of our emotions.
6.) wishbone hails from your upcoming and eagerly-anticipated debut EP which is set to premiere early in 2025; congrats! Can you give our ever-inquisitive readers a hint or three as to what they can expect and look forward to with the upcoming EP?
A few more songs about girls…… Jokes aside, it’s an EP that talks about all sorts of subjects. I wanted to challenge myself and write about things we aren’t so comfortable talking about. Sonically, it’s a lovely little blend of alternative UK rap alongside some jazz and alternative RnB elements.
There’s a song about falling in love. One about relationship uncertainty and feeling like a villain. A track about wanting to feel all the emotions that life has to offer…as without sad how would we know happy? One about feeling lost but wanting to continue wandering. Then there’s the most intimate song I’ve ever written. Somehow it manages to fit together nicely as that’s awesome.
7.) In the wake of all of this amazing new music which you are releasing, what does your touring/performing dance card look like in the coming weeks and months?
Some smaller gigs in the pipeline but I’m working towards an EP Launch Party in the early part of next year when my debut EP drops. Performing the project live means performing a collection of tracks that feel entirely “me”. It’s also an awesome opportunity for me to give back to the people that have supported me through this whole journey. Which is awesome. More details to follow on that so stay tuned!!
8.) As a singer and songwriter, which generally tends to come to you first while working on new material: The lyrics or the music?
I like to write most of my lyrics as poems. So, a “writing” day doesn’t necessarily mean writing to music but sometimes just writing down thoughts. And I love that you can be anywhere do that. So generally, it’s the words.
9.) wishbone is released via HeadFirst Records! What makes HeadFirst the perfect home for you and your music?
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10.) At the end of the day, what do you hope listeners walk away with after giving many-a-spin to your incredible new single wishbone?
The goal is always to just make people feel something. Whether they relate to the scenario or maybe to the feeling. wishbone is about opening your eyes. There’s this fine line between loving hard and being walked all over. Between overlooking your doubts about a relationship and losing self-respect. Loving someone is the best excuse to forgive someone who is treating you badly, until it isn’t.
Watch the video HERE
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