After our first collaborative playlist with Ted Jasper in April, we were long overdue for another instalment. We’re very excited to bring you a new playlist, this time with Berlin-based producer and composer Liam Mour. Liam was born in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, where he grew up until his move to Germany as a young child. He then ended up here in magical Berlin 11 years ago, and has since become a resident at the legendary Funkhaus Studios.

Liam’s new single “Pure Puma” is an energetic and hypnotic UK garage driven gem, which blends scattering drums alongside low rolling sub-frequencies. We spoke about his new single, his playlist and of course, music and mobility. 

You just released a new single, “Pure Puma” as part of your upcoming EP “Angel high"— can you tell us about some of the ideas behind this single and the new direction you are taking with this new EP?

This year I was on a trip to Joshua tree with my manager. We were driving at night through the streets of the national park when suddenly a puma crossed our way right in front of our car. We thought we were high or something but it was a real puma and I couldn’t get him out of my mind. So I wrote this track about that puma and that special moment. It was full of energy and that’s also the whole idea of my new EP. To create a momentum full of energy and good vibes. I really need this right now as I went through a lot of shit the past months.

The playlist you made for us is an eclectic mix of electronic music and organic tracks, including some garage and ambient music. How has garage music impacted you and your musical upbringing? 

Garage, especially UK Garage means a lot to me as it combines the feeling of electronic music and the meaning of indie/punk rock. It’s hard enough to paralyse you but still emotional enough to touch you deeply. I always knew that if I release a dance record it somehow has to be related to garage, jungle and dub.

You grew up in central Asia and now live in Berlin. How do these two places compare in terms of mobility? (public transport, bike, e-mobility, as a pedestrian etc.) How do they differ for you? 

To make it pretty clear: In Central Asia we had horses. So there was almost no mobility. Of course my parents had a car but we only used it in the city and to get to the mountains. On top of the mountains there was nothing except horses and donkeys.

Berlin is a completely different world but I love to have all these possibilities now. It’s unbelievable that you can fly around the world at any time even though it’s not good for the environment. Simply the fact that this is possible and affordable still sounds unreal to me.

We believe music is an important aspect of mobility — where do you want people to listen to this playlist in particular? What types of genres do you prefer while on particular types of transport? 

Music is mobility in a different way. It doesn’t physically transport your body somewhere but it transports your mind to unreal places. It’s really interesting to think of music as a vehicle. It’s even a time machine that can take you back to places you’ve visited once or it brings you to the future or to something in-between. I want the people to close their eyes just listen to the music and see where it brings them. I’d love to hear some stories from listeners about where they ended up. Who knows, maybe our paths cross while we’re listening to the same music.

Check out Liam’s ellectric playlist, and of course listen to Liam Mour’s new single “Pure Puma”. Stay tuned for the rest of his new EP “Angel high” coming soon, and thanks to Liam for this insightful interview.

Pictures: Liam Mour