Going out on your own can be a serious move for a musician. There is no longer a cushion of support formed by your bandmates. But if anyone can conquer this transition it’s journeyman Liam Kazar. Starting as a teenager with Kids These Days, whose members included Vic Mensa, Macie Stewart of Ohmme, Nico Segal (or as you might know him, Donnie Trumpet), and other pillars of the Chicago scene; he moved on to collaborations with Jeff Tweedy, Chance the Rapper, and Daniel Johnston among others. After a number of years touring, Kazar decided it was time to form his own project. With a new distinct Americana feel, he hit the local club circuit and has shaped a sound that stands apart from his previous work. His solo debut “Shoes Too Tight” appeared last week with a stylish accompanying video. We caught up with Kazar from his quarantine in Kansas City, where he sometimes lives, to learn more about the artist and his new project.

LK: Liam Kazar

You just released a video for your debut solo single "Shoes Too Tight." What can you tell us about the video shoot? Who came up with the striking clown concept?

LK: Somebody once said, "hire the right people." They were right. Was it Kubrick? Some director, I think. I don't know. If I had a huge budget I would work with the exact same people and just pay them more. The five people who made the video with me are all hopeless creatives. I love them. We had the space for five hours and we just tried to be as creative as we could with the time we had. Lindsay Kemp came up with the look -- we just stole it.

Were the back lit profile shots in the video any sort of an ode to the cover of Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits?

LK: It was not. Although, I could see how one got there. People have been telling me I look like Dylan since I was 15. Could be worse. I think Austin Vesely, the director, just wanted to keep things stark to help the black and white motif come through. Don't my lips just pop?

Last month you put out a charity covers record, Within a Song, to help support the Hungry Brain. It was quite an achievement to learn and record 20 songs in such a short amount of time. Can you tell us what the experience was like?

LK: It was nice to leap into something when this was all getting started. I had lots of energy to be involved before the macabre nature of it all started to settle in. Where healthcare workers find the strength to continue confounds me. Bless them. I'm still kicking in where I can but these days I'm wearing dumbbell earrings. I am not very tech savvy, so, if my physical person isn't needed anywhere, I'm pretty useless. I don't have a studio at home and I wasn't really writing anything at the time, but I can get inside a tune pretty quick. So I figured that was my ticket to help out. It was a great challenge, and I think I'll do it again at some point. It has been a tough blow to lose the first two songwriters of the record in one week. Prine and Withers are both on my Mt. Rushmore.

You've already had quite a career: with Kids These Days then Marrow and all of your many sideman gigs over the years; and now you've struck out on your own. What makes a solo career appeal at this time instead of forming another band?

LK: I really had no idea what kind of music I wanted to make next. I don't mind wasting my time but I feel really bad wasting other's. So a solo venture with some choice collaborators seemed appropriate. I spent a lot of time searching and I'm happy I did. I know myself so much better now. Then again, we're all getting to know ourselves better right now.

You have also released a new song with a lyric video, "Holding Plans." What's next? Do you have a full album or more singles in the works?

LK: Another song. With a video if I'm lucky.

When we are all able to get to shows again what would be your dream first show to play?

LK: Safe and warm. Small and packed. Late and dark