A legally blind musician’s journey
Levi Williams has always had a passion for electronic music and God. Underneath all of that is a blindness that drives him.
Basshunter’s song ‘Now You’re Gone’ speaks about a guy taking his partner for granted, complete with electronic music underlying the lyrics.
For 18-year-old Levi Williams, that song started a passion and potential career in music production. Levi chose Wintec and it was a very easy choice for him because it was very hands-on.
“I’ve been
a musical kid my whole life. I was brought up in a very musical family and over
the past two years I’ve really been into producing music and I was looking for
courses to take after school and Wintec seemed like the best option.”
Levi has a passion for electronic music. “When it came to electronic music, my first exposure to it was when my stepdad showed me Basshunter when I was seven or eight.”
From there, it evolved into “Lightshow Youtube videos” two of which were EDM (Electronic Dance Music) songs. Levi tried to listen to as much EDM as possible because he “loved it so much”.
“If ever the teacher was writing notes on the whiteboard, I would have to be sitting in front of the very front of the class”
For Levi however, this love of music is offset by the fact he is legally blind. Levi’s condition is called Ocular albinism. Ocular albinism impairs the sharpness of vision and makes it problematic to perceive depth from the eyes. Although Levi’s condition is a form of being legally blind, he uses it because it’s the “most recognised term.”
Even with the support of his parents, Levi still had obstacles to face, especially in school. “If ever the teacher was writing notes on the whiteboard, I would have to be sitting in front of the very front of the class and then would then go up to the board to see what they wrote.” Through this, Levi learnt how to memorise so that he wouldn’t have to go up to the whiteboard as much.
“Let’s be real, Christian music is boring. There are some cool Christian rock songs but it’s not EDM level.”
Levi hails from a religious family and this religious background plays a huge role in his music and life. He notes that EDM music and the rave culture scene doesn’t fit in with his religious values and beliefs.
“It is very
much based on sex, alcohol, drugs and all that.”
While Levi does recognise the appeal for that scene, it isn’t for him.
“I believe I’m not the only Christian who is not into that kind of scene but is still into the music.”
Levi believes that there is a market for EDM music that isn’t about sex, drugs and alcohol.
“Let’s be real, Christian music is boring. There are some cool Christian rock songs but it’s not EDM level. My goal is to breach that gap; to create good quality EDM songs, that have positive or Christian messages behind them.”
With this market, he hopes to have his music played at festivals like Rhythm and Vines, as well as church conferences.
But like
every EDM song, it needs that killer beat.
