Calgary alternative R&B vocalist Uyemi recently unveiled her new video for “Inside of It All,” off her upcoming Butterfly Effect EP. Written about the dissolution of a friendship, the song captures the private grief of cutting off someone close. Director Rich-Belle Banasen expanded on those emotions in the video, showing the inner battle to express what’s on the inside of a person dealing with loss and depression. The woman in the video, played by Uyemi, goes through her daily routine unable to share her feelings, bottling her energy up until she’s ready to burst. Without the words to express, she finds an alternate form of release by attempting to heal through movement.
Check out the video, learn more about the rising songstress in our Five Questions segment, and look for Uyemi’s Butterfly Effect EP later this fall.
Care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Hello, my name is Uyemi. I am a singer-songwriter from Calgary, Alberta. I love indie music, flowers, good films, and creating art.
Tell us a bit about your music and writing style.
My music is always a self-expression of what I’ve learned in life or what I have or am currently going through. When I write, I pour out my thoughts with the intention to motivate someone out there who may be inspired by my words. I love freestyling over a beat and closing my eyes, hitting record on my voice memos and singing. The stuff that comes naturally usually has the best result, and it’s more genuine that way. And sometimes I’ll challenge myself by sitting down to write word by word.
Do you have any upcoming shows? For someone who has yet to see you live, how would you explain your live performance?
I’ve got nothing as of yet, but just played Camp Sled Island in Calgary, and hope to perform live across Western Canada as things begin to open up.
If you were asked to suggest only one of your songs for someone to hear, which would it be?
In addition to my latest single, “Inside of It All,” it would have to be my unreleased track “Mindful,” which will be out later this fall. It’s a serious vibe.
Canadian Beats is all about Canadian music, so who are your current favourite Canadian bands/artists?
My favourite artists are Cartel Madras, A.Y.E, Jessie Reyez, Mickey Green, The Velveteins, Wyatt C. Louis, Kaeyae Alo, Kaytranada, Selci, and so many more.