“One Big Ball of Connections”
IamKyami talks about her song-writing, radio show and current creative influences.
She began writing at the age of ten, inspired by artists such as Lauren Hill and Amy Winehouse, R&B singer-song writer Ky Russell (AKA IamKyami) is now working her way through Liverpool’s music scene one kickback at a time. Drawing upon her Neosoul influences and Kawaii culture, Kyami is making a beautiful new wave in our coastal city. As I interview Kyami, I am blown away by her grounded originality and genuine love for her art. She tells me, “There should be things you like just because you like them,” speaking of the frivolity of trends. Kyami opens up discussions about music, culture and creativity on her Melodic Distraction radio show, Kick Back Culture. All the while, she serves us fresh tracks from Rap, Hip-Hop, Neo Soul and R&B music. Kyami is a true example of self-expression, welcoming Alex from No Mind Collective to her show back in November to discuss his fashion line. It is no wonder she was awarded The Biggest Bloomer from Melodic at the end of last year.
There is a part of Kyami’s passion reserved solely for song-writing. She tells me her music career began when she first moved from New York to Liverpool a couple of years ago. A member of Liverpool International Music Festival Academy’s music program, Kyami has since been developing her craft as a musician and as a writer. I feel proud of my city as she explains, “In Liverpool, everyone feels like there’s room for everybody to be somebody.” She discusses the ways in which the Liverpool music scene has supported her so far, “I went from playing at open mics to playing festivals and a sold out gig and the Philharmonic Hall,” and tells me, “I don’t need a degree to do what I do, it’s all about how the connections you make lead you down a path.” Kyami tells me how she originally began song-writing, often creating lyrics for other people. She would, as she says, “put herself into [the artists] shoes” and draw upon her empathy to connect to the emotion behind the song to come up with its lyrics. She tells me her writing is always intended to channel a specific emotion and her work is based on real experiences. As she continued writing, Kyami realised, “I was writing for a specific artist, which turned out to be me.” Now, not only does she create lyrics for other artists, but for herself. Happily humming her way through her days, Kyami explains how melodies can just pop into her head and soon make their way onto her guitar or music software. She tells me, “I don’t know what I would do with life if I couldn’t write music.” She is an inspiration within the Uk’s music scene and I am sure big things lay in her future. As we say goodbye, I feel I have met a true ambassador for women and artists alike. Her charming, easy-going attitude and bubbling creativity is sure to take Kyami incredibly far throughout the rest of her career.
Catch IamKyami playing at Kazimier Stockroom on 7th March as part of Zee Davine’s Pink Mass event and be sure to tune into Melodic Distraction Radio each month for more music from the Queen Bee.
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