An independent singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who mastered several different musical genres, Irina Imme has written over 250 original songs to date and attracted audiences from over 70 different countries with her catchy, original material.
What first got you into music?
I think I always liked music, but I didn’t properly get into it until I was a teenager. Having said that though, I grew up watching musical Disney Channel shows such as Hannah Montana and I was really into those. I started to take music more seriously when I got into Taylor Swift, and then alternative bands such as My Chemical Romance and Paramore. I loved how they used music as a form of self-expression and it inspired me to do the same thing.
If you could go open a show for any artist, who would it be?
It’s always been my dream to open for Twenty One Pilots. They inspired my own music and even my personality so much and I feel like we also explore a couple of similar themes in our music. I think that the fandom would connect with my music, plus it must be so fun to go on tour with Tyler and Josh!
What is your favourite song to perform?
At the moment I have to go with my original song “Rather Die”. It’s an unreleased song that I wrote in November 2022. I have played it at a couple of gigs and every single time that I did, people seemed to really enjoy it. It’s such a great feeling when the audience connects with one of my songs.
What are your top two favourite songs of all time? Why those songs?
I have to go with “Ode to Sleep” by Twenty One Pilots and “Ghosting” by Mother Mother. I think that both of those songs have a very unique structure, while still having super catchy and memorable melodies that stick with the listener. I still remember how I felt when I heard “Ode to Sleep” for the first time. It almost felt like an out of body experience! I was just really touched by that song, the melody, the lyrics, everything about it. I was already into Twenty One Pilots but that song is probably what turned me into a hardcore fan in 2016. I first heard ”Ghosting” by Mother Mother on Instagram, through one of my mutuals who recorded a cover of it. The chord progression is what initially peaked my interest, and when I looked at the lyrics I found those super relatable as well.
Are you planning any videos for your music?
Yes! I am planning to release a music video for my song “Globe” sometime this year. The collaborative filming and editing process has been challenging, to say the least, but I believe that I’ll have something ready by the end of summer at the latest!
What is your current music project about?
I am currently working on an EP (which was originally meant to be an album but I discarded a couple of songs in order to make it an EP) about depression, self-hatred, heartbreak and hopelessness that I mainly wrote at the start of 2021. I wrote it during the pandemic at what was probably one of the lowest points of my entire life, and while most of those songs no longer apply to my current life situation, I still think there are some important stories to tell in there.
What has been the most challenging aspect of your current releases?
To be honest, I often struggle mentally when I go into the studio to record the songs on my upcoming EP or even talk about them online, but I force myself to do it because as I’ve previously mentioned, I think there are important messages and stories in those songs. I went through a series of awful events in that period of my life that I don’t really talk about, and although I’m in a much better place now surrounded by more like-minded people, I want to share those songs with my fans so that they know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Do you sing in the shower? What songs?
Sometimes I do! It really depends on the day though. Lately, I have been singing a lot of Paramore songs in the shower for some reason. Maybe it’s because I’ve also been listening to them quite a bit recently. “Misery Business” just hits differently in the shower!
Which fictional character do you wish was real?
I wish that Lane Kim from Gilmore Girls was real so that I could go and give her a massive hug and be best friends with her! I don’t think I’ve ever related to a character more than I do to her, from her love for music to her slightly eccentric personality. I’m still mad about her ending in the show!
If you could ask your future self-one question, what would it be?
I would ask my future self if she’s happy with how her life played out. I think that almost everything I do in life is with the purpose of finding true happiness. I just want to live a fulfilling life with like-minded people and to leave a positive impact on this world. I’m a simple woman.
What was the last TV series you watched on TV?
Right now I’m going through a phase in which I am rewatching TV shows that I loved as a teenager. I’m rewatching “Glee” at the moment. I was obsessed with it when I was around 14 years old and I pretty much wanted to be Rachel Berry. Looking back on it I’m not sure if that’s such a good thing, since she had some very problematic moments on that show (as did almost every other character).
If you were talking to a younger version of you, what advice would you give yourself?
Many things, but my main piece of advice would be to go easier on myself and be more forgiving with myself. I would say that I’m someone who has a “guilt complex” (it’s something I’m working on in the present though) so I tend to be overly-critical with myself and really punish myself when I make a mistake. I would also tell my younger self that it’s ok to put up boundaries and to put myself first. I used to get myself into very problematic and dangerous situations simply because I was scared of setting boundaries.
