Introducing #111 - Latir
Let us introduce you to London’s Latir, who has just released his romantic single ‘Blue Roses’, the track is fueled with old school jazz fused together with modern r&b rhythms to create a unique blend. He took a moment to talk to us about his beliefs on love, writing songs for Kojey Radical and his plans for the future.
So you are based in London, which part are you from? What are your favorite things to go do in London?
North Londonnnnnn! I grew up in Edgware and moved around a little, but I’ve always been in the same area... went to school for the most part in North London too.
My favourite things to do in London would be love music events, festivals, rnb nights out in east London mainly, poetry nights (I run one which is really dope aha!), cool art exhibitions and basketball... but I can do that anywhere ofc.
Your new track ‘Blues Roses’ is out now, what is the track about?
Blue Roses is a story about the two sides of love in its simplest, earliest stage. The butterflies and vast possibilities, followed shortly after by dismay and sadness... I wrote it about someone I met with whom we shared a spark... but having to travel to another country shortly after, we never really got to see how that romance would blossom... it’s kinda like being handed beautiful flowers suddenly drenched in melancholy, hence “Blue Roses”
It has quite a romantic vibe to is, is that why you have chosen to release it on Valentines Day? Do you consider yourself a bit of a romantic?
Yes, and yes. *sigh* I’m a big fan of love and being in love, however this song is about the irony of it all, perhaps a Valentines anthem for the singles ha.
Music has surrounded you all your life, what are your earliest musical memories?
It really has, from my siblings to my uncles to being at church and school choirs and bands... my earliest and most vivid musical memory from way back when, would be age 10 or 11 when I was singing for my church choir and my dad pushed me to sing the Christmas solo... my voice was breaking and I cried under pressure, still sang it however... Although I really don’t remember if I was proud of that performance or not... memories!
You have written tracks with the likes of Tokio Myers and Kojey Radical, what made you take the jump to start putting out your own music?
Growing up being influenced by artists such as Chet Baker, Kanye West, Pharrell, John Legend, Miguel etc, the idea of releasing my own music, particular visuals and just having my own sound has always been the priority. I’ve always wanted to release my own stuff before I even thought about being a featured artist on another song or a song writer... I love creating lyrics and melodies and getting strongly involved with production too... and I love curating songs and projects in general, its such a sick feeling, nothing beats that for me. I wouldn’t have any of these songs I have out now if it wasn’t for wanting to put out my own stuff eventually for sure.
Who would you say are your key musical influences and why?
In the last five/six or so years since I started writing songs and found my style, I’d say Chet Baker, Frank Ocean, Kanye West, Miguel, Nick Hakim, Puma Blue, to name a few! They all write so beautifully, the melodies and at times jazzy chords, the nostalgic elements, the melancholy, the classic/old school sounding elements both lyrically and melodically of Chet and similar artists from his time... the live instrumentation blended with the slightly more electronic elements... they all inspire me so much in different but similar ways and continue to.
When writing songs, what things do you draw on for inspiration?
My life and times! The things I’m going through that I feel I need to express or topics that I’d hope others resonate with... from love and heartbreak to nature and beach fronts, etc. Nothing too far from home, that feels forced!
Now the track is out there, what next for Latir?
Next is to keep releasing more of my soul with the world in musical form! I’d love to play some festivals and just be active in general. I don’t want to say too much but lots is coming :)