- Words Brittany Newman
Rising Atlanta musician, Asi Kemera, releases the new single "honey bb" and tells Notion about her musical firsts.
Coming out of Atlanta, Georgia is the multi-talented Asi Kemera. The 20-year-old is not only able to project her angelic vocals onto her tracks but also play the guitar, bass and piano, and illustrate her own artworks.
Marking the first release since her 2020 EP, ‘Daydream’, Kemera provided more of her signature ethereal aesthetic with “honey bb” – a sensual and tranquil track produced by Seiji Oda. Highlighting her Gemini personality, Kemera effortlessly alternates between being dominant and submissive in the track’s lyrics.
Her sound almost seems entirely new, perhaps lending to her diverse influences, which vary from R&B and rock to Bollywood and Ethiopian melodies, continuously being inspired by 70s music.
Aiming to make her music sound “as pretty and feminine as possible… sensual and soft”, we caught up Asi Kemera to find out her musical firsts.
First song you ever made?
I started making songs when I was like 7, so I don’t remember the very first one. But the very first song I produced and recorded was called “For the Night” and I made it on my iPad haha.
First song you released officially?
Technically “In Ur Dreams” because it was on all streaming platforms. I released some songs on Soundcloud before that though.
First CD or record you owned?
It was an Ashley Tisdale CD haha.
First time you realised you wanted to be a musician?
I didn’t know I wanted to pursue a music career until I was 19. I’d just released “In Ur Dreams” and I saw how much it impacted people. That was really beautiful to me and I wanted to feel that feeling more.
First gig you went to?
I don’t really remember. A lot of my friends were performers before Covid, and I would go to their shows like every weekend.
First festival you went to and the first one you performed at?
I haven’t been to a festival yet; it’s so sad. But I had my first headlining show last February in 2020. It was such a beautiful experience.
First instrument you owned?
Guitar.
First time you felt like giving up?
I’ve never felt like giving up thankfully. I have a lot of emotional support for when things get overwhelming. But that overwhelming feeling motivates me more than it holds me back.
First time you felt starstruck?
I never get starstruck because of someone’s level in their career, but I get starstruck based on how incredible of a performer or musician they are. I’m emotional when it comes to great music and I’ll admit, I’ve cried at some shows haha.
First time you heard your song playing somewhere?
I’m not gonna lie, I don’t really leave the house too much, but one of my followers heard my song “In Ur Dreams” playing at a restaurant in Atlanta and sent me a video of it. I was shocked; it was a wholesome moment for sure.