Khemet McConville is a Californian artist with a penchant for musical exploration and the limitless possibilities of creativity. His music is a showcase of the range of his artistic talents, as he takes on the roles of producer, vocalist and instrumentalist, crafting sonic landscapes that are as hauntingly beautiful as they are original. For live performances, he joins forces with his band, taking the lead as the vocalist and bassist.
In 2020, he unveiled his debut record, Quantum Shift, a project that earned critical acclaim and even spins on European radio stations. But Khemet’s musical endeavours don’t stop there. He’s a multifaceted artist who dabbles in various facets of the industry, from performing with local bands and embarking on a UK tour to overseeing recording production for fellow musicians, playing session bass and booking acts at Los Angeles’ iconic Peppermint Club.
His latest single, “I Look Through Your Window,” is a nearly two-year labour of love that perfectly captures his unique blend of ethereal indie pop. The song opens with airy synth tones, suspended in a lush ocean of sonic texture. Khemet’s hushed vocals enter, repeating the track’s central lyric, “I look through your window.” As his delicate vocal lines dance float above the arrangement, a gentle rhythmic foundation takes shape, with the patter of the kick, soft snare and cymbals building a hypnotic groove.
The shimmering guitar lines glide and slide around, crafting a stunning indie pop dreamscape that envelops the listener in its smooth tone. The breathy backing vocal shots add colour to the sonic tapestry, creating a dazzling whole that’s as captivating as it is immersive.
On “I Look Through Your Window,” Khemet not only delivers a delicate vocal performance but also showcases his command of the technical aspects of music production. Recording, producing, mixing and mastering the track entirely on his own, he presents us with a musical experience brimming with his talent, passion and originality.
We caught up with Khemet to find out more about his musical journey so far, his new single “I Look Through Your Window” and what he’s got lined up for the future. Check out our interview with Khemet McConville below.
Hey Khemet, howâs things?
Good. Another day above ground. I really enjoy autumn in California.
Whatâs your earliest memory of making music?
I donât have any discernible memory of early music making. My mother tells a story of me hopping on stage during a talent show in fourth grade and playing piano. I vaguely recall this – it was improv, I just made it up. Apparently it was passable for music because someone asked Her how long I had been taking lessons.
Which artists do you draw most inspiration from today?
Definitely myself in the absolute. E.G. me in ten years. This âcompleteâ version of myself I envision. I operate under the assumption that anything we experience in life that we feel connected to, is us sensing a reflection of our selves in something else. We see something in someone else that we love or connect with, and it really just says more about us than them. Once I began to see things this way I stopped looking up to people and more so started envisioning myself in the absolute. Seeing them as reflections of myself. Something I have access to, rather than it being something someone else possesses that I donât.
How else do you find inspiration for your music?
Inspiration is everywhere. I fond prosaism dumb. Dumb is not a loving word. Itâs dismissive and lazy, but I canât think of the correct one and it gets the point across hahahaa.
Life is a miracle. It is; and I get tired of people acting like they know whatâs going on in an effort to feel more grounded or safe. Just enjoy the ride. Remain inquisitive. Life is so curious. Everything around us is magic.
People go through life like that though. Saying, you know, it âjustâ this or its âjustâ that. âJustâ can be a pretty violent word. Itâs violent to the human spirit. It can suck the wonderment out of something if youâre not careful.
What do you love about the Los Angeles music scene?
Hahhahaha the Los Angeles music what? I was asked about this in another interview recently. Iâm going to be resolute on this. There is no Los Angeles music scene anymore.
What would you say is the perfect setting for listeners to enjoy your sound?
Itâs going to be different for everybody but for âI Look Through Your Windowâ definitely somewhere near the beach. Maybe Hawaii or Catalina Island. I gave the song a literal âtest driveâ coming down PCH and I have to say I hit the nail on the head.
How has your own style and sound evolved since you started out?
It just actually sounds like something. It has an ineffable quality to it, which wasnât there before. Previously it was nothing. There were notes, there were sounds, but it wasnât music.
As an artist who performs all the vocals and instruments, do you prefer working independently?
Not really. I think Itâs sort of all I have known for some time now. Itâs really just out of necessity. I struggle to find people I can work with on a consistent basis. Plus, I realized at a pretty early age, that if I have a vivid idea of what Iâm looking for, and I possess the knowledge of how to get there then itâs actually pretty annoying for me to just be hovering over peoples shoulders, telling them EXACTLY how I need something done.
On this track I did all of the heavy lifting including the mixing/mastering. Iâve always been aware I have the ability to do everything if Itâs necessary. But itâs definitely not something I set out to do. If youâre not on a label and people donât have monetary or social incentives to help you out then youâre kind of left to just take it all on yourself. Itâs that or nothing happens hahahahaha.
How did you find making your new single âI Look Through Your Windowâ?
It was pretty straightforward as Iâm sure you can hear. The song almost in its entirety, popped into my head while I was on an afternoon walk. I just beatboxed all the parts into my phone and then airdropped them onto my computer when I got home and pieced it together from there. I replaced a couple of things, and obviously made certain parts instruments rather than me beatboxing, but I did leave some of that in there. I actually released it first for this particular reason. Itâs simplicity, in both message and delivery made it pretty straightforward to execute. It was a good way to re-introduce myself into the world.
What message did you want to get across with this release?
Nothing comes to mind. âI like this song maybe you will too?â ???
What artist have you been listening to most recently?
I canât lie, The Beatles. This wouldnât come as a shock to anybody who knows me personally. But I actually havenât really listened to any of their discography for more than a year. I think people who know me assume Iâm listening to them and only them all of the time which has definitely been true during certain phases in my life, but that just hasnât been the case over the past year or so.
Whatâs the main thing you want people to get out of listening to your music?
Truth; not of knowledge. The kind you feel. The kind you understand on a molecular level. Love; not like a kiss but like the grace thatâs allowed us to exist as a human race. Peace, harmony. The usual suspects. Humanity.
Itâs a bit sad, because as meaningful as these things really are. These words âPeace, Harmony, Truth, LoveâŠetcâ theyâve been commodified to a point where itâs more symbol over substance these days.
Whatâs been your favourite live performance so far?
I saw Dave Chappelle at the Hollywood Bowl early last year. It was the most engaging and artistically potent performance I had ever seen. It felt like what I imagine Sinatra at The Sands was. It hit that heavy. It was really just him and the mic, but it felt like He had the big band behind him. In music we talk about guys like Dylan, Springsteen, Elton, Stevie, Ray, Withers, and how they can really fill an entire room with just their voice and their instrument. Seeing somebody fill a room with only a microphone is serious business. There are a lot of elements that go into making a stripped down performance really fill a space. Your timing must be impeccable. Every nuance of your performance is perceptible in those environments. So when I say it felt like He had the big band behind him, thatâs what I mean.
I would be remiss not to mention seeing Bob Reynolds at The Baked Potato. I believe He had Jeff Babko on keys, Janek Gwizdala (who is one of my favorite bassists) on bass, and Gary Novak on drums. I have never before and never since seen someone lay into a kit like that. Youâd think they were playing Helter Skelter, you know? Purple Haze or something. Gary set the place on fire. It wasnât loudness, it was life. It was everything. People tend to think of jazz as a mellower brand of music but you rarely see a performance in any genre with that much thunder in it. They sounded like The Hendrix Experience. Like someone just cranked on a Naturally Aspirated V12.
Who would be 3 artists to headline your dream festival? And where would it be?
I wouldâve really liked to see Jimi Hendrix live, from the cheap seats though. Iâve gotta protect my cochleaâs. Then Jordi Savalli for certain. Doing anything by Beethoven but preferably No. 6. Thereâs a video of him conducting it on YouTube that makes me cry. Then, probably, Me – On a stool with an acoustic guitar.
Do you have any advice for a new artist wanting to follow your footsteps?
Stop asking for advice. Itâs definitely important to seek counsel – gather information so that you have all the facts and can make informed decisions. But once you have all the information, asking other people what decision you should make make is not it hahaha. Often there are codes – idiosyncrasies â you know – context in your life that itâs impossible to get people to understand. Itâs just not possible to communicate the story of your life in its absolute to anyone. I mean, is there even an immutable story of your life? The story changes every time you look back at it; doesnât it?
Finally, what do you have lined up for the rest of 2023?
I have more material coming for sure. Pretty soon actually. I hope to get it out before Christmas. This was the mic check. Algorithmic foreplay hahahaha.
Listen to I Look Through Your Window below
More from Interviews
INTERVIEW: TATE SEDAR drops “Take It All Back”
Born in San Francisco, raised in London and now based in Los Angeles, TATE SEDAR has spent much of his âŠ
INTERVIEW: Cinematic conceptual album from INYO
Coming out of Los Angeles, newcomer INYO is an artist whose musical vision is informed by a desire to explore âŠ
INTERVIEW: Brand new single from Thomas Azier
Dutch singer, composer and producer Thomas Azier has spent the last twelve years making an impression in the European music âŠ
