Interview with IRINA IMME
Interview with IRINA IMME
What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?
I was a Disney Channel kid so I’d say I grew up with a lot of music in my life, and I have also been a Swiftie since I was a child. I wrote my first song when I was 13 and trying to get over heartbreak, and since then I have never really stopped writing! I supposed if I wasn’t doing music I would probably either go into business or do something with psychology – I really want to make a difference in the mental health sector.
What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?
When I’m not playing or making music, I like to do a lot of exploring and to meet people. Like I say in one of my songs, I truly have travelled around the globe! I’d say I live a very full life and have had a lot of different experiences and I think that’s one of the reasons I have a lot of material for my songwriting.
How long have you been making music?
I have been making music since I was 13, so that’s 10 years now! But I only started being really serious about it around 5/6 years ago.
Where are you based and how did that influence your music?
I am based in London, but I grew up in Brussels. I think living in such large and diverse cities has really opened my mind and allowed me to meet a lot of very different people with different beliefs and ways of life and take part in many different experiences which are definitely a good source of inspiration for music.
Tell me about your most memorable shows, if you haven’t played live what is your vision for a live show?
My favourite shows that I’ve played so far are the shows that I’ve done this past year at “The Star in Shoreditch” and “Amersham Arms” in London. The reason for this is the fact that these were my first two shows with a live band. Ever since I started playing with a full band I’ve developed a whole new appreciation and love for performing; it really doesn’t compare to the way I used to play my shows before in my opinion!
What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?
I’d say the venues I’ve mentioned above were pretty solid, but if I could play any venue I want, I’d not hesitate to play at the O2 in London! Of course, I’m being ambitious with this answer. But one day it’ll happen!
If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?
As a Swiftie, I would obviously love to open for Taylor Swift one day! I would also like to play at an alternative rock music festival such as “When We Were Young” in Las Vegas; a lot of my absolute favourite bands and artists have played there and I’d be honoured to be part of that lineup.
What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into making music and some advice that you would give to your younger self?
I would tell that person to keep releasing music, posting, doing shows and just to be consistent with it. I think it’s always hard at the beginning and there is a lot of self-doubt that usually comes with deciding to be an artist, but once you give yourself the push to start putting your music out there, it will feel very rewarding. In this modern day and age where there are so many people fighting over the same thing, I think it’s really important to really stay on top of it and shove your music in people’s faces as much as possible so to speak! If we’re talking strictly about what I’d say to my younger self though, I’d probably tell her to go easier on herself and to trust the process. I would get really worked up over the fact that I would work so hard for my music and my desired outcome wouldn’t happen, but now I know that success isn’t an overnight thing for most people and that’s ok.
Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?
To be honest, I can’t pick just one! All of the songs that I’ve released so far are entirely self-written and really personal to me in one way or another so I’d say they all mean a lot to me in different ways.
Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?
I think the song “Jonah” from my new EP has been doing really well at live shows, and I also quite enjoy playing that one with my band so it works out well.
What is your creative process, and what inspires you to write your music?
Most of my song ideas come to me at random moments. I could be walking down the street, or chatting with my friends or studying and suddenly I’d get this random melody playing in my head and I’d have to rush to the bathroom to hum it and record it on my voice memos app. A similar thing happens with my lyrics too. I’d randomly get inspiration for a really poetic way to phrase a feeling I’ve been having and later that turns into a song. I guess a lot of my music is inspired by my own life or the lives of people close to me.
Do you have messages that you like to get across in your music? if so please tell me about them.
There are a lot of messages in there I’d say. With my new EP “Blue Forever” I’ve tried to transport my audience into the mind of a really melancholic, depressed and self-loathing person who has been conditioned to think they’re the “bad guy” in every situation. It’s a tribute to my younger self who wrote those songs and felt that way and to anyone out there that may have gone through similar feelings as a result of upbringing or toxic relationships or whatever it is that got them to that point. I think with my music in general I try to portray really dark and complex feelings in order to reassure my listeners that they’re not alone in feeling that way and that things eventually do get better.
Do you have any new singles, videos, or albums out that you would like to tell me and your fans about?
My most recent release is my EP “Blue Forever” that I’ve mentioned above! There is also a music video on my YouTube channel for my song “Globe” that dropped around the same time.
What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?
I’ve already been back in the studio recording a couple of tracks for my upcoming projects. I think my next EP will be very different to anything I’ve released so far in terms of the lyrics and the themes explored and I’m excited to share it with my audience.
How can your fans best keep up to date with you, any socials you want people to check out?
I’m mostly active on Instagram so I’d suggest that people follow that if they want to keep up with me. I also have Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube and all the major platforms and try to be as active as possible on those too.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Irina-Imme/300680307372261
https://on.soundcloud.com/CQFhkDxaRWGc16U28