LiveWire, from Newport, has been an active artist for such a long time it’s strange that he’s just 21. He has a big catalogue of music and has been a popular artist in the Welsh scene for a long time. His latest track Hit A Wave is another example of his fresh sound and slick rhymes. Check the video out below:
We had the chance to ask LiveWire some questions. Here’s how it went:
How did your journey with music start?
I grew up listening to grime and hip-hop from my brother making music himself and always loved the process of creating music, initially it was just freestyling over beats but by the time I was 10 I started writing songs and just continued the journey ever since.
How long does it usually take you to write your songs?
I actually tend to write songs really quick... It’s funny because all my artist friends find it crazy how quick I can write. A lot of the time I go to studio without anything prepared what so ever and within an hours’ time I can have a song written, recorded, mixed and mastered but it’s taken me a long time to get to this level.
Can you remember the first time you wrote a song? Can you describe it for us?
The first song I ever wrote was called 'Hard Times' and its basically about the struggles of life, I must of been about 11 at the time but before then I just used to write 16's over bassline / grime beats talking any old rubbish.
What inspires you most?
My biggest inspiration is looking back on how far I've come. I went through a really bad patch in my life as a teen and being honest was a flat out drug addict, I should've died on more than one occasion but luckily I’m still here. I had drug counselling and spoke with a lot of psychiatrists but nothing ever seemed to work and then one day I’d just had enough of the way I was living and decided it was time to put myself on the straight and narrow. I still battled with addictions even after calming down but then when I found out I was going to be a dad I literally just stopped everything but seeing that progression is what motivates and inspires me.
What music are your listening to lately?
Being honest the majority of the music I listen to is my own, that probably sounds really sad but I’ve got so many unfinished projects I’m currently working on that I’m always listening over my music simply to see what needs doing to improve it but when I’m not listening to my own music I like listening to a lot of afro beat type songs and artists such as B Young and Yxng Bane... I’m a massive Michael Jackson fan as well and very few people know that.
What is your creative process like?
I usually start writing the hook of a song and base the rest of the song around it. I tend to write differently to a lot of people I know as I don’t write in bars, I structure my songs on paper in the same way a book would be laid out (Song title at the top of the page and the rest layered out in paragraphs).
What is your favourite song to perform?
The song I’ve most enjoyed performing in my life is the Diffboy Remix simply because of the experiences I’ve had performing it such as mainstage at Colour Clash and supporting Miss La Familia in Breeze Bar, Newport. My favourite song to perform that isn’t a group track however is Southside, that features my good friend Murkage. Not only is it probably my most established song but I have so much fun performing it and Murkage brings an energy when performing that not many artists in Wales can match with, we just tend to interact with a crowd really well together.
Which famous musicians do you admire?
One artist I admire in particular has got to be M Huncho, his style is so unique and he's a really humble guy, I’ve actually had the pleasure of being his support act and meeting him and it’s just one experience that will live with me for life.
What songs do you sing in the shower?
The song I’ve been singing in the shower lately is 'C Biz - Obsession' I literally must have played it 1,000 times in the last few months and it’s the first song I put on every time I shower.
What's your biggest pet peeve?
My biggest pet peeve is creased clothes... I literally could not leave the house if I have a single crease in my clothes, it bugs me so much it’s unreal.
What are your favourite movies?
I don’t actually watch a lot of movies I’m more of a series person, but my favourite is probably Braveheart. Mainly because it’s based on true events but also because William Wallace (Mel Gibson) never gave up fighting for what he believed in and I’m a strong believer of persevering no matter what life throws at you.
What plans do you have for 2021?
My plans for the rest of 2021 really speaking are releasing songs, finishing any unfinished projects and getting visuals filmed... I’ve probably got about 30 unreleased songs I’m just sitting on at the moment and its doing my head in but other than that I’m just Looking forward to enjoying summer and hopefully being able to perform again in the coming months.
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