Ones2Watch Home

Fresh but familiar, we came across Khatumu when a trusted source untapped it for us behind closed doors, and the ambrosia was so vivid we had to know more. Very much a mystery, we reached out via the old electronic mail to dig into this very promising LA-based singer who has anyone with an indie folk need very fulfilled.

Who is Khatumu? 

Khatumu is a Sierra Leonean, German American girlie born in NYC who makes electrified, alternative folk music. I just graduated from university and live in LA where I dream of buying a tandem bike and riding down Sunset Blvd. Alongside the guitar, I play tennis, produce, and take care of two nameless guinea pigs. I speak Spanish and Portuguese and am inspired by artists like Tyler Childers, Bon Iver, Pinegrove, and Dora Jar.

What is "departure time" all about? 

"departure time" is about leaving home, comfort, reality, the beaten path, and finding meaning in life on my own terms. I graduated from Yale in May and moved to LA with two suitcases and this unbending need to figure out what exactly I wanted from life; New York wasn’t serving me anymore. I love my home, but there came a point at which places and people I love just weren’t fitting into my life correctly for the current iteration of who I was. Not only that, I was leaving behind potential futures with past lovers. The song is a journal entry and a reminder to myself that I have agency. We can choose to go.

We can hear a lot of different eras in your music. What did you grow up listening to? 

I listened to A LOT of Steely Dan, Van Morrison, Ed Sheeran, and Sierra Leonean music, which has wicked electric guitar.

Any collaborators or features? Who produced the track? 

Yes! I co-produced this track with naebird. He’s a rockstar, and it was so fun. If you listen closely, you can hear unintentional airplane sounds in the vocals. He lives not too far from LAX; amazingly fitting for the song.

When was the track written? Does it represent a specific time and place? 

I wrote this song shortly after graduation—so a few months ago. It functions as a free-flow journal entry that outlines the physical process of my leaving home. To me, it represents being at a crossroads, and deciding to go for the unknown. When I hear the song, I see yellow taxis and streets lined with fast-moving people. It feels of another life.

Can we expect more of this style in the future? Or are you still evolving?

Oh baby, I am EVOLVING!!! I would describe my style as alternative/electrified folk. I also love neo soul and trap drums, so that tends to make guest appearances in my music, which I think is hella fun. I think you can expect to hear more music like this, but also, the music world is so vast, and I am constantly collaborating with new people who bring new, fresh ideas to the table.

Besides this excellent single, what else should we be on the lookout for? 

There will be A LOT more music coming out this year…and what's that?? Music videos??? If you live in Los Angeles, expect a big show sometime this summer.

What's inspiring you right now outside of music? 

I’m really inspired by the works Ada Limón and Dorianne Laux. I’m being so serious when I say this one: Rick and Morty. The writing on that show is unreal.

Food group or activity best suited to enjoying this song? 

Tandem bike riding, tennis (only if you’re on the winning team), cotton candy ice cream, any county fair.

Who are your OnesToWatch? 

Emory, Humble the Great, Saya Gray, Tristan, Marie Dresselhuis