The musician with 14 aliases and millions of listeners

Liam McCay, a 20-year-old musician from County Donegal, Ireland, has transformed from a part-time restaurant worker to a globally recognized artist with millions of monthly listeners on streaming platforms. Known primarily by his alias Sign Crushes Motorist, McCay has released music under 14 different names, each representing a unique creative endeavor. His journey began in his childhood bedroom, where he crafted songs under the name Moon Water while still in school. Over time, he expanded his repertoire, exploring genres like slowcore, acoustic, and even rap. Despite his success, McCay initially kept his music a secret, sharing it only on online forums and servers for new musicians. By 2023, several of his tracks had gained significant traction, with one peaking at number three on Billboard’s now-defunct TikTok Top 50 chart. After completing his school exams, McCay briefly pursued a degree in computer science at the University of Belfast but ultimately decided to focus on music full-time following a series of collaborations with other artists in the US. Now based in Los Angeles, McCay continues to release music independently, recently dropping an album under the name Dead Calm. While industry professionals have advised him to consolidate his work under a single alias, McCay remains committed to his diverse creative identities, believing it adds an element of discovery for his fans.