Killmori

Killmori is a an artist from the 956. I first heard about him through a friend name Marisol at UTRGV TV. She told me about someone named Killmori and to check out their song called Death Bed on Sound Cloud which I did. Time went on, I was no longer a part of media at UTRGV due to graduation. I started Outinthe956 which lead to my 1 year anniversary show. I brought a cooler of beers. Someone asked my friend Brenda if they could have a beer, but the cooler was actually mine. Turns out the person who asked was Killmori. From that moment we bonded and spoke over a beer which lead to us becoming friends and speaking more. This is how I met Killmori. From someone who enjoys making music as a hobby and by the end of July will hopefully have 4 shows under his belt. Really proud of the homie for just doing what he enjoys. This feature is for Killmori, @themourningaftr

We begin with Mori sharing a bit of what he's been enjoying as of recently "Man, I just finished watching the Mandalorian/moon knight and they both were fire ahhhh. I have trouble sitting through movies/shows but they kept my attention. 'Life wise' I’ve been enjoying being more present in the now. I overthink a lot but there’s no point in wasting energy on 'what ifs' and 'could’ve been'. I’m working towards focusing on What I can control/improve in all aspects physically/mentally/ spiritually." I mean the decisions we've made have been made. We can't just stop and think what if and think "yeah that'll come around again" when we have everything in front of us and especially in the now. I overthink a lot and I'm scared of the most "simple" risks, but they have to be done or you will never know. He continues by giving a couple of shout outs as well "first I would like to thank you for this opportunity and thank the person who is Reading this right now (breaking the 4th wall real quick ahhhhh). But as well to my all my close friends for their friendship, and the many people I have met along the way (leading up to this). Shout out, Dio Kuma / Jojo (jojoisfine) / saint / Gilbert// vince /orly/ Skrowisokay / Kid vitals / sky / mercy/ Luminous ace /Noirxheart/ Andrew/ globoi/ common error/ the sight of impact /Jennyfer/ Skipluto / Yason/ Avance/ Kevin g /Mickey / solum (ripsummer)/ Disease freak/ Pillowsnake/Ashley /Leslie /Ram/Jacob/ Aimee/Fidel/Mitzi/ audrie/Mario/Xochi/Elliot / switch / Tristian/ Daniel / Fabian/ doza / liltorti/ uuudied/ b11ce/ jrelentlez/ castell/ Jaime Whittington/ Eliyas from 37 universe/ rey/ gibby / Jasmin/ Isiah solis/ jr/ china (the person not the country lmao)/ Edwin voyager/Bert/ rokoo/ Cristian val/ Danny/ Julian. Anybody that has shows me love long ass list head ahh boi ahhhh"

We begin by asking Mori what kind of artist does he see himself as? "I would consider myself a Multi genre artist. I couldn’t tell you exactly what genres; however, the sounds I make, or experiment with don’t fit in the same 'box'. I make whatever I want to make (that sounds condescending) or what I can use to convey the emotion that I’m feeling at that Point in time. I dislike the idea of being boxed in or I have to make a certain sound because I look or dress a certain way. Those are all binds and boundaries set before those who came before us, its good challenge things but more importantly make what one wants to make. Because at the end of the day is it really self-expression if you worried from outside influences that don’t come from within?" Yeah like it is self expression and when it comes to this question or a question I like to ask is "if you could create a genre or a label for your work" to get away from things such as "do you have any influences or things that inspire you" because this work is YOU and it shouldn't be something that makes you feel compared to. In the end aren't we all "multi genre?" Even if people might think they have found their artistic "direction."

Now this is where I ask "if you could create a name for your genre of music what would it be?" as he says " That’s a good question! So imma just freestyle a response off the top of my head haha. This isn’t for all my songs however there is a certain 'type'. And that genre would be somewhere along the lines of a depressed lullabies. 'themourningaftr' is the prime example of what that would sound like 'echoing dream float' is what’s popping into my head right now. Due to the use of reverb ghostly audio, something that If you put a speaker into an empty dark room would sound like." As he says "depressed lullabies" for example from what I've listened to I would recommend checking out the track "themourningafter(demo)" on Sound Cloud. From the vocals to the instrumentals can match that title perfectly. Oh wait he actually used it as an example too. As soon as I read "depressed lullabies" It like hit me automatically so I started typing! This is too funny.

What got Mori interested in creating music? Along with him still creating to this day as he explains "music in one form or another has always had a heavy influence on my life. I remember getting kicked out of my kindergarten class when I was 5 for singing the hook for cleaning out my closet by Eminem. It then stemmed to my own lil rhymes, and that would eventually lead to verses as time went by. And you know the whole everyone freestyling/ cringey high school rap battles, lunch table cyphers. Just seeing that but never fully being a part of it. However, knowing that I had the ability to and not to sound full of myself but I knew I could do better. It just lacked proper execution but knew I could do better.

I remember pushing my older brothers’ mixtapes, rapping in my friend JoJo’s car to Kendrick Lamar beats. And just got better with time. It was all a hobby and a dream that seemed so far away. eventually I was told by people around me that I should start recording my own songs. The whole 'if you did bro I’ll listen to that' or something along those lines. Then the 'when is the mixtape dropping' joke, till it wasn’t a joke anymore.

A friend of mine who I really looked up too (dio kuma) took notice. And told me if you really want to pursue it and have a legit mixed and mastered sound, 'a body of work' to make a trip out to his (and saint88) apartment in Houston. I ended up staying there for a whole week hitting the ground running, doing shows, recording, learning, everything. To have something to come back with the valley with. (this was around June 2019) it really gave me that kick-start and drive to actually try it and see where it would take me. I got a lil side tracked in that 'killmori lore' ahhhh but any dream or idea worth pursing deserves the highest extent of pursuit." I do remember the rap lunch tables in middle school, but not so much in high school to be honest. It's interesting to read the "lore" from it being fun and games (which it still is fun) to having people joking to having Mori release an EP and Vol 1 on Soundcloud along with the experiences he's had already. You can keep dreaming or meet goals and reach those milestones for real. It's always something we can think about and say "oh another day" but that's like one day already gone? Fuck it and go for it!

What can Mori tell us about his performances and the experiences had? Especially he's coming up in two more shows "the previous 2 performances were super fun to do. Regardless of outcomes I always know I’m going to be performing in front of friends. It’s kind a like stairs ( I know that’s weird metaphor ahhh) in the way of regardless what happens the 'next step up' is possible from the step that came before it.

It’s been more eye opening seeing the support in person. The energy that’s there, getting stopped and having someone tell you they like a certain thing or sound. I don’t think too much of it because I don’t want it to get to my head (in a negative way). But it is rejuvenating though seeing what I’ve been seeing in dms from strangers on the internet to in person. I stopped being so harsh on myself because when I don’t like something. That same 'something' could be someone’s favorite.

Knowing that there’s another 2 shows is crazzzzy ahhhh. I’m beyond thankful but good to see the effort of grinding and not giving up pay off. Making the most out of the opportunity’s presented, and having artists in the online underground scene tell me I inspire them to do the same. Makes me wanna sink my teeth in this shit and not let go. I can’t wait

I’ve almost noticed more interaction with the crowd, I have a lot of things planned for the “theatrics” but need to see how they play out and how people respond to it. "

I have also seen the differences/changes from the previous performances. Not just in the crowd, the interactions, but with Mori himself. It's good progress for sure! I've listened to the feedback he's received and it makes me glad. Especially with what I've known about him and his thoughts towards his music and so on. I'm glad to see my friend this way and to know that he can see his work paying off.

When it comes to creating music is there something Mori adds into it that makes it feel just "right" as he says " I use music as a form of escape not to sound all cryptic with the words im using but transmuting that energy into something else. There has to the some of emotion positive/ negative I just needed to get it 'out of me' and put it somewhere else. I desire to place the different parts of myself through what I make. Knowing I wont always feel like that but have it captured and can look back on it. Usually though having fun really helps or even joking around with certain bars or punchlines before. Because when I take things too seriously it feels stiffer and not as fluid. When that happens, I just take a step back" It's our creative outlet that lets us express ourselves. It lets us just release something pent up at times or something we wish to convey. From lyrics to the instrumental. I write in my journal and that's one way I "escape." I just find it interesting when it comes to the self-inclusion to people's work when it comes to it.

What would Mori say separates Vol 1 to the Thetwoofusaredying EP? They are around 1 year apart, but a lot of changes can happen within a year. Did anything change when it comes to you creatively? As he explains

"Honestly, I never expected anyone to bring that ep up its hard to remember because the time between is extremely blurred (feels like it was 3 months ago). I kept experimenting with sounds I was putting a lot of depressed grunge esque audio. Till I realized I was sitting on so much other music that was never put out, just sitting there for years. There wasn’t much of change but more so of showcasing what I can do." Even after the EP we have Vol 1 which showcases more what what Mori mentions earlier "that genre would be somewhere along the lines of a depressed lullabies." Even if there's a demo along with other songs you can see what is brought to the table. I'm very curious to know if there will be more or another track at least like the demo themourningafter.

Video by @uuudied What's Up With That

Does Mori have any favorite tracks he has created? If so, what are they and why?

"Ribcage part 2, xxx and themouringaftr they’re just so raw to me. I genuinely feel there’s a piece of soul in those songs, but more so for TMA. I mean themouringaftr is my second alias so its only right for it to be authentic to myself. It was completely different for me when I first made that, a new way of mixing, vocal engineering, it just feels like a checkpoint or milestone. Its like I captured a piece of myself in a audio that will last lifetimes crazy saying outload to be honest." Hmmmm sir you didn't mention "death bed" or "lil uzi hurt" :thinking emoji: I can see that as a milestone/checkpoint. It is something different for sure and as mentioned "a new way of mixing, vocal engineering" I'd say for sure something to keep experimenting with and see what happens.

What can we expect from your upcoming setlist? What songs does Mori plan on doing? What made Mori put their set order this way?

For the setlist people can expect 7 songs in this order deathinlatin, hatestillwontwin,, liluzihurt,, 95666, trench, xxx, themouringaftr (demo). I like to show to more lyrical stuff first to show as an artist I can keep up with those around me. It more so to get a feel for the crown and venue before the high enery songs such as liluzihurt, 95666, and trench. Its like a rollercoaster slowing building up and those 3 songs are the peak and comedown. Not everyone can mosh, jump, etc for long periods of time so xxx and TMA are the cooldown leading to the end." I can see that for sure! You'd have to let me know how it all goes down! I look forward to hear the feedback received and experience had. Even if it is 7 songs there is an order to be hand and Mori seems to have it down already for sure.

All Star Fest is coming up. How do you feel about performing with a bunch of other artists?

"I feel very excited more so since a lot of my friends and supporters recommended me on planet grims post. I’ve performed with some of them back In November so I know what to see from them, but also curious on the artist I don’t know. Honestly tho I tune out mentally till its moments before, once I'm actually there in the flesh. But yeah man I'm super stoked for Saturday, lots of talented people in the lineup." I saw the line up from local artists to out the valley artists as well. I'm very curious to see how this turn out for more upcoming rap shows as well. I had a rap show in November with "Los Sonidos Del Valle" so this is interesting to see. I really like the flyer as well. You can catch this fest at Bummer Shed. I'll have to check out some of the artists I don't know from the list as well.

Listening to the twoofusaredying EP although it has this "sad feeling" it has his rock tonality to it that makes it still goes hard if that makes sense? Was this intentional or? As he says "Yeah it was intentional on the rock tone it’s hard to convey darker emotions over 'a sad rap beat'. I just wanted to authentically capture all that the best way I could. I look back on it from time to time and I just can’t make something else like it. But on the ‘it goes hard” it wasn’t intentional but if that comes from that ill take it ahhhhh. it was more for myself and the supporters who told me my music has got them through things. Theres still private songs on that EP I’ll probably go back to it and unlock them. They just felt a lil too dark or vulnerable so I eventually put them on private. Also, I was still learning how mix my own vocals so I planned on re mixing everything but never got to it." There's still tracks in the vault and y'know that's fine as well. You don't have to release tracks if you don't want to. They can just be for yourself as well. It's just something I was curious about when it came to the EP.

Vol 1. has more tracks than the EP having a mix of rap, soft vocal with the ending demo, the roughness that "trench" brings, what can you tell us about Vol 1?

"Vol 1. Is a mix of everything I make the different styles and sounds , different parts of me. People on their own are so much more then what they’re perceived to be like a glacier ahhhh. Theres what you see and what’s below the surface I’m trying to show the listener what’s below the water." As mentioned earlier Mori did say this was something meant to show what he can showcase in a way of what he can bring to the table as an artist and for himself. What he's been able to do and experiment as well with. Vol 2 when though??? ahhhhh.

What do you wish to evoke from the listeners?

"Inspiration and comfort honestly a place they can add into their day or escape from the world. I’m no one special but coming from nothing and now there’s something I just want to show that its possible. If you really want something and work towards it you will achieve it in one form or another."

What are your thoughts on the local valley scene?

"The valley is a goldmine, there is so much hidden potential and I always felt like this. Now that there’s more DIY things and people are pulling up to these events shows there’s a want for it. Its not like bigger cities its its own thing. The thing is its only going to grow more as time passes and word spreads. the rap scene is lacking but you must plant the seed into dirt and nurture it before it grows. Its exciting to see what the future holds."

He shares one final comment,

Watch how you speak about yourself. Words such as “one day, I want, in the future”. Seem like one may be creating momentum for the morrow. However, with repetition these words become fact in the subconscious mind, and when it does it’ll always be “one day, I want, in the future”. The spells in spelling of those 3 words trick the person to think they lack a certain aspect within themselves to go after it now, hence “one day” Anytime someone shares a goal in mind with me it starts with “I want too” I respond to them with don’t say want… say that you are, say “I am”.