Rising Sussex-based singer-songwriter Liam Wakefield is a 32-year-old British army veteran and former NHS therapist who has used music to help him overcome a degenerative, life-changing chronic illness. After being medically retired, serving 11 years in a front-line role, he took to music as a form of therapy, and after a successful first year in 2020, playing a number of shows including SOFAR sounds and the 02 Academy Islington, Liam's health declined. He spent lockdown and most of 2022 working with others facing challenges with their mental health and raising awareness for suicide prevention in frontline roles. In late 2022 he created and released a single with US country music star Jessica Lynn who became an advocate for his return to music.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Hello Liam Wakefield. What first got you into music?
Hey Kamil. What first got me into music was my dad. I grew up watching him play guitar and was always surrounded by his art and music. From a young age I got to see the magic behind creating sounds and always felt a pull towards that.
What do you think your role is in this world?
This is something I have thought about at great depth. The more I have pursued a purpose in this world the more lost I have become. My role in this world is to be present and just experience everything to its fullest. Creating music gives me a chance to do that.
Your latest track is 'You Made Me Something More'. Can you share with us the background of its creation and did any unusual things happen during its creation?
So I wrote this song for my son, as he said he wanted a song for his 7th birthday. I wrote it and then fell in love with the song. I got to produce the entire thing myself too and have him present for some of that was incredible. I got to share the experience with him in bringing this song to life and that’s something incredibly special. I guess the most unusual thing about it was experiences synth sounds which I wouldn’t normally use, and finding a new angle to venture with my music.
What is one message you would give to your fans?
I am deeply humbled by their constant support, the main message I would give them is having fans like them makes what I do so much more than just a passion.
How do you spend your time?
I spend my time writing, creating and thinking deeply about things. I am a partner and a dad so I spend that time also sharing an immense love for others.
What are you most proud of?
I am most proud of my kids, and how they see the world.
If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?
For me it would have to be Gregory Alan Isakov.
What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as an artist?
I like to try push the boundaries of my songs and in doing that it helps me grow. Each song is a poem of my emotion, but with that raw honesty I like to build a sound around that, something that reflects the emotion, try new things, work with other people, and keep pushing the ceiling of comfort.
Do you think that technology is improving lives?
I think it’s something to always be mindful of, but for me, I can be sure in saying its improved elements of my life. It’s hard to say for others as its subjective, but there is certainly good and bad points to technology. I am grateful for the technology in my life, but I am conscious that I stay connected with all this outside of technology.
What are your plans for the future?
To keep writing and releasing music! This first single of 2023 is to be the first of many. I am aiming at release one or two new singles each month, getting back to touring and trying to use the music as an opportunity to share my story and experience with others in hopes that it could help.