Hemai

Hotly tipped 22-year-old producer and multi-instrumentalist Louie Hemus AKA Hemai sonically melds soul and jazz with an electronic tinge. Born and bred in the UK’s second capital Birmingham, Hemai grew up around jazz culture, music and live musicians, taking influence from the likes of Herbie Hancock, The Gilberto’s and D’Angelo to modern day acts like Zero7 and Corinne Bailey Rae. We at Neo Music sat down with Hemai and had a chat about LP ‘Strange Beauty’ and his passions outside if music

NEO: How long have you been making music?

HEMAI: I’ve been making music for a good 10 years now. Jamming around on the guitar since I was like 12, making up little melodies and songs. Then I delved into production when I was about 15 which led to me making full tunes professionally for like 3ish years now i’d say, as that was when my first song was chucked out into the world.

NEO: Explain the inspiration behind your Album/LP ‘Strange Beauty’ and the creativity?

HEMAI: Strange Beauty was birthed out of my love for the smaller things in the world, and the enthusiasm I have towards making sure time isn’t wasted. Not wasted as in it’s gone too fast, but making sure it’s being spent how we want to spend it. Being right here in the present, as I believe we genuinely cannot change the past and can not have expectations for the future. All we have, and all that is real is right now and that’s the approach I had with the creativity on the LP.

NEO: If you could pick any three artists to collaborate with (dead or alive) who would it be?

HEMAI: I LOVE this question. It’s an easy one for me. Herbie Hancock, George Duke or Airto Moreria. I love my fusion.

NEO: If a millionaire decides to fund all your expenses on a one week trip anywhere, where would you go and what would you do?

HEMAI: I’d be straight off to Japan, to build my own tiny house on wheels, live between nature and the city and bang out some more albums over there. Collaborating with all the amazing musicians and songwriters over there. Potentially build a studio in the tiny house. Or hire one out in the heart of Tokyo. I’d also use it to show the less fortunate kids how to produce music. Share the codes and all of that.

NEO: What are your passions outside of music?

HEMAI: I’m a Yogi. Love a spot of yoga, meditation and all things related to keeping the mind connected to the earth. Also love design, so interior based things is fun from time to time. Love a good beer. Love a good coffee. Love a good walk with either a spirituality/production podcast on. Spending time with family and friends, and thrive off meeting new peoples.

NEO: What was the reason behind the title of your last release?

HEMAI: Super self-explanatory. Strange Beauty! There isn’t really a deeper meaning to it, as it is what it is.

NEO: If you could star in a TV show, what would it be and why?

HEMAI: The Game of Thrones aesthetic would probably suit me best right? I’d be a monk in it or something.

NEO: When you were younger, what did you want to be growing up?

HEMAI: First an inventor, and then a music producer! They are sort of the same thing now I’ve came to mention it.

NEO: What’s your favourite quote?

HEMAI: Even if we have achieved great wisdom, we must be humble and unassuming all the more, just like a rice stalk that bows under the weight of a ripe grain” - shih chang yen

NEO: What do you hope to achieve by 50?

HEMAI:To make a real impact on the world. Change the world for the better, using the influence and voice as a musician to make change within issues of injustice and the environments. It’s a beautiful world that we just have to keep pushing the evil out of it bit by bit. And be chilling somewhere in Japan, Bali, or Cornwall with some good people and good drinks.

NEO: ​Let us know where to find you on social media

HEMAI: @hemaimusic