I feel stoked about this latest entry on WIB meets. This is a cat I got introduced to a couple of years back. Let’s rephrase that, his music was the first introduction before I met him in person. The man in question, Liam (from TTT) has been serving us some heat on WIB for a while now and yes we did interview him with ST as a duo, but it was only right to bring homie back for a quick in-depth conversation.

It’s always great chatting it up and learning something new on WIB meets so sit back, relax and watch how it goes down.

Go check out his latest beat tape with Fruits titled LAVA

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For the benefit of anyone who’s been living in an underground bunker for the last ten years…who on earth are you?

I’m a beatmaker who goes by the name Liam. I was born and raised in Montreal. I’m also an art director and graphic designer.

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How did you get started in music, and what drives you to continue?

I’ve played piano since I was 7 or 8 yrs but never really took it seriously. Then as a teenager, my pops taught me guitar. Few years later, a friend invited me to play in a small acoustic band. At that moment I think I really realize that music was a passion, a need. But what really kick things off for me was my first laptop during college years. Garage band and Reason got me thinking about making my own music. No more practicing or depending on others to make music was an illumination. When my friend Stéphane Pélichet asked me if I was willing to make beats for a small rap ep, it never stopped.

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Do you remember the first beat you ever made? How did you go about it?

I guess it was in garage band with some generic loop and shitty synths. It’s not a clear memory or anything. But I definitely remember my first Reason beats. First time I sampled something, it’s magic when you get that feeling, “I made something new with something old”.

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If a movie about your life in music was to be made, what interesting/strange moments and stories would you share to make the movie cool?

That one time I was flying off to Paris for few months for an internship in a Design studio. I got to the airport a little late, but by the time I pass check-in and security, they were taking my luggage off the plane. Luckily an agent saw me and suggested I should hurry up. I’ll never forget that run to the gate and especially the look on every passengers face I was making late. My seat was the last one in the back of the plane. It was a real walk of shame!

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Are there any other interesting facts about you that hardly anyone else knows?

I did speed skating for 5 years as a kid.

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What is the greatest thing about working in the music industry? And what would you change if you had the opportunity?

The community of artists you get to hang with. Montreal is so inspiring in terms of sound and people. It keeps me moving. The only thing I’d would change is about promoters and show bookers. Give the sound a change, stop believing in the hype. So many great artists get so little recognition. People tend to follow people, they should follow their feelings more.

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Looking back, what have been the most important moments in your life so far?

Meeting my partners in crime, ST and fruits.

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What have been the biggest highlights?

My first beat tape had a huge impact on my path. And my first collab with ST gave birth to a whole other universe I wasn’t expecting. Producing rap and rapping as well.

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What has been your biggest challenge…and how did you overcome it?

I can’t tell you cause I can’t recall any situations I felt was a challenge.

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Who are your heroes? Why do they rock your world?

I really don’t know what to say on this one. My mother. Strong and generous, she always taught me to listen and feel what people are about. She keeps me balanced and motivated.

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Who have been the coolest, most memorable people you’ve met along the way, and how did they make an impact on your life?

SevDee and Mark the Magnanimous. These guys have put on so much work for the beatmaking community. Their love for the music have inspired many artists to push boundaries and I think they’ve played a important role in my musical path.

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When you’re sitting on the porch age 97 what would you like to look back on and smile having achieved?

Making a living off of music.

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What has been your most memorable or inspirational gig and why?

Opening for Slum Village back in may of 2013 at cabaret Underworld.Dilla is a huge influence and as a group they inspired me on how they built their songs. To get this gig was unbelievable at first.

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What has been your strangest celebrity encounter?

When I first saw Flylo. I didn’t know how to introduce myself. Too shy.

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 Who would be your ideal dinner guest, living or dead, and what would you serve them?

No clue right now.

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What are the greatest songs, albums, books, movies, TV shows, websites you’ve ever come across?

I’m really down with  Gotdamnmurdah! from Sweet Petey. It’s a crazy joint.

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Name 5 songs (yours excluded) that we would expect to find on your iPod or Music Player

Freddie Gibbs – Shame
The Physics – Take a Win
Bongiovanni – No Wifi ft. Compton Chic
Pomo – So Fine
GhostfaceKillah – Nutmeg ft. RZA

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What special-hero type skills are you blessed with?

I got really good hearing.

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Where can everyone reading this interview keep up with your adventures?

www.trusttheteam.ca

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Any final thoughts?

Make music, make love, make money.

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