Hiya folks thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today, grab a brew and take a seat.
What made you decide that music is a thing for you?
Since a young age, I was surrounded by music. My parents had an extensive collection, varying between vinyl, cassette and cd. Which included everything, classics, underground, experimental… you name it, and it was there.
I learned to play guitar at the age of 7. But the decision to pursue music happened much later, when I was 15-16. I had gone through a really rough time in my life, severely struggling with mental health, plus high school was hell for me (like it is for a lot of people). The only sanctuary I found was to lock myself away from the world and get completely lost in the music.
I firmly believe that music saved my life, I wouldn’t be here today without it. And I felt compelled to repay the favour, to do what artists such as XXXTENTACION, KID CUDI, NIRVANA and Oasis had done for me in making me feel less alone! It gave me purpose in life when I was without any!!
Introduce us to you and your musical history.
Hi, I’m Maikoh Webbe, (it’s pronounced May-co Web) like I’ve already said, I was surrounded by a wide variety of music from a young age. I learned to play guitar when I was 7, and instantly started writing songs, not very good ones, but songs nonetheless. I would busk and perform them during lunchtimes at school with my friend who played the drums.
It just came naturally to me. Then high school started and for several years my guitar just sat in the corner collecting dust. At 15 I decided to pick it up again, and I started taking some lessons. Around this time, I also started to teach myself how to produce music on my laptop via watching YouTube videos as well as trial and error. Here we are now, 6 years later, having released numerous songs, including an EP independently, entirely written, mixed, and mastered from the confines of my bedroom.
What was the first song you heard that steered you into a music path?
The first song I can remember was probably Kings Of Leon- Use Somebody. It was the first song I ever learned on guitar, it’s what started this whole butterfly effect for me!
Where do you feel you currently sit within the music industry?
Personally, I feel like I’m currently sitting on the outskirts looking in. I’m still trying to figure this thing out, doing so entirely independently.
What’s the biggest thing you have learned from someone else in the industry?
3 words: DARE TO FAIL! I live by that as I have a tendency to overthink and get stuck searching for perfection.
If you could wish for one thing to aid your career what would it be?
Waking up one morning and find my phone blowing up after receiving a shoutout from a top 10 artist!
Do you ever worry about people taking things the wrong way or cancel culture? Discuss….
I definitely worry about people taking things the wrong way, as I’m an empathetic person and typically don’t want to hurt people. However, with cancel culture, it’s a unique and interesting phenomenon. I grew up on the internet and social media, so I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t afraid of it. After all, once someone has been ‘canceled’ even if it’s on false grounds, the damage has already been done. As a result, I feel like any rational human being would be scared of this.
Do you sign up for any conspiracy theories? If not why not?
Which one, depends on how deep you want to go… In all seriousness, I love the topic of aliens and Bigfoot, I love all and any forms of deep conversation!
What was the worst experience on stage?
Every Christmas, my primary school would put on a nativity or play of some kind, and it was mandatory to partake. One year, I was given the role as monk number 3. During this play, I had to do a song with the two other monks. Halfway through the song, I forget all my words and out of panic I loudly exclaim ‘O’God’, bearing in mind I’m supposed to be a monk, as well as this it was in front of a room full of parents and children. Yeah, not my best work…
What makes you stand out as a band/artist?
With 70,000 new songs uploaded to Spotify every day, I think it’s harder than ever to stand out. But one thing’s for sure, when all is said and done, I want my music to stand the test of time. The fact that I produce, mix and master all my music by myself in my bedroom definitely makes me stand out!
I hear you have new music, what can you tell us about it.
Kyoto was one of those songs that sort of fell in my lap, the majority of it made itself. I produced, mixed and mastered this track by myself in my bedroom. Kyoto is about that do or die moment with the girl/boy you ‘like’, the point of no return. It’s got a great chill summer vibe!
What was the recording process like?
The majority of the song was completed in one go, however, it took several months to finish all the finer details as well as mix and master it.
What was the biggest learning curve in writing the new tunes?
Lyrically, I tend to write more depressing songs, so this is a massive change in that respect.
Would you change anything now it’s finished?
I think they’ll always be something you want to tweak when you look back, especially when you’re a perfectionist like myself. However, I think it’s a great song, it sounds good, and it’s ready to be heard!!
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