A new week is here and that means a brand new Track of the Week for you to enjoy. This week, it’s from BIMM Brighton’s imojen.
With rich vocal harmonies, strong melodies and captivating language, their music and lyrics cover the themes of relationships, sex, the body and identity. “Angus” is their latest release. Listen below and discover more about the track.
What was your inspiration when you began writing the track?
When I first started writing “Angus”, I was just turning one lyric over and over in my head. The lyric was ‘I know your father at his country club’, and it’s now the second line of the song.
I felt like it conjured vivid images of neon green golfing ranges, cigars, sports cars and tall men in white shorts, cackling and scorning their wives in strange groups. It wasn’t something I’d seen before, but rather a symbol of a backdrop I knew existed for many of the relationships I’d been in — a backdrop of hideous privilege and egomania. I began to write about some of the men I’ve known, exploring how their relationships with their fathers had damaged them, and in turn, me.
Are there any artists that inspire you when writing?
Lyrically, I am interested in wordplay and juxtaposition, so I get a lot out of studying the writing of women like Diane Cluck, Esmé Patterson, Margaret Glaspy, Joni Mitchell and Judee Sill. Musically, I am committed to strong melodies where I can find them and am inspired by a vast range of artists: from Lizzo to ABBA and Edith Piaf to Joan Jett.
What is key to your sound, and how do you make your music stand out?
I pour everything into my lyrics, and I want them to take centre stage. Another key element of my sound is my backing vocals. I recorded my first song when I was 14, and my dad showed me how to harmonise with myself. It was the most exciting thing I had ever heard, and I became obsessed with saturating my music in rich backing vocals and complementary ornamentations.
How does your songwriting process work?
My songwriting process varies. Often, I will toy with a single lyric and try to work out which part of my subconscious it has emerged from to build the rest of the piece. As I try to make sense of the words I’ve got, I note down things I read or hear around me that trigger the memory of the lyric. In this way, the core of the song comes together on its own.
Once the idea is there, it’s just a matter of building on it. I like to revise my writing when something isn’t sitting right, but overall, I am a big believer in preserving my original ideas. In other words, I try not to change things in my music for anyone but myself.
Describe your sound in 3 words…
- Earthy
- Melodic
- Honest
How has studying at BIMM helped you develop as an artist?
Studying at BIMM opened up a lot of doors for me. I met some incredible people, including my producer Georgie McBurnie – without whom I wouldn’t have been able to release “Angus”. I learnt a great deal quickly and am now in the happy process of applying that knowledge and experience to my own musical path.
What’s next for you?
In the coming year, I hope to release a music video, ideally two more singles and begin work on an EP. I have over 100 songs written and in demo format, which I can’t wait to dive back into and rework for release.
