Liam McClair is a singer-songwriter out of Wilmslow, Cheshire, England that we met through our homie Sobi Thurairatnam. For Liam, Reflection is about unbiased retrospection and balanced analysis of the past. His music provides a medium for reflection on lived experience. Liam discusses this process through a showcase of songs from his first EP, How. We’re excited to say that he’s soon to drop his second EP HONEY through HourGlass Productions, and he’s also looking to perform with a full band after its release. Check out the interview below, stay tuned for tour dates, and make sure to check out the new EP soon!
Reflection to me is considering the positives and negatives in a previous situation, but trying to be as objective as you can to ensure that you are seeing the outcomes and effects as they are and not from a biased position.
– Liam McClair
Leading off with some basics, where are you from? And where are you at?
LM: I am from Wilmslow, Cheshire in the UK. I have been performing as a solo singer-songwriter for nearly a year. The highlights have been having my track played at Old Trafford twice, playing at Liverpool’s Sound City, being featured and interviewed on BBC Introducing Merseyside, and the continued support online from radio stations, fans and blogs.
What does Reflection and Response mean to you?
LM: Reflection to me is considering the positives and negatives in a previous situation, but trying to be as objective as you can to ensure that you are seeing the outcomes and effects as they are and not from a biased position. I reflect often with my music as my writing process is quite organic so upon reflection I can understand the theme of the song and subsequently direct the song towards that theme. Response is a person’s reaction to a stimulus, whether that be sensory or physical.
How does your work fit in with that definition?
LM: My song writing is predominately based on reflections. Most of the songs I have written have been based on personal experiences and personal emotions. Within my Debut EP, How, all of the songs are based on reflecting on a time and they are responses to things I have seen or experienced. The first track Roam The Globe acts as my travel journal from times I have spent abroad:
Rough Waters is a description of ending a relationship and the difficulties involved and experienced:
Somewhere Before is the story of a couple with dementia which I responded to initially, however I didn’t realise that was the topic of the song until I reflected on it:
How is a song I wrote about the feeling of pure desire you have when first encountering someone you really admire:
What else have you been working on recently? What are you looking to work on next?
LM: I am about to release my second EP — HONEY — with HourGlass Productions which is very exciting. Once that has been released I will look to get as many gigs as a I can solo and then move onto playing with a live band as this next EP has a larger sound than How, which was predominantly guitar and vocals.
Who or what inspires you?
LM: I am inspired by the success of others who I deem to be of a similar ilk to me. I am also inspired by hard work that is found in many different situations, not just in music; there is a reoccurring theme of discipline and commitment that is associated heavily with success so I find inspiration in seeing those attributes used by other people.
Is there anything else you would like the Collective to know?
LM: I was once an Academy Footballer at Manchester United and subsequently had my song How played at Old Trafford, so in one way I have been at Old Trafford!
Shout out to…?
LM: Hourglass Productions for the awesome work on my next EP, HONEY; Sobi Thurairatnam for recommending me for this; and all my fans for their continued support!
Keep up with Liam’s work at the following links:
- Website: http://liammcclair.com/
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/LiamMcClair
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LiamMcClairMusic
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/LiamMcClair
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/mcclair7
Reflection and Response.
the LIFESTYLE 