Our very own Imogen…

First of all and foremost, or rather second of all following that post below, I have to mention the one artist who has had an adverse effect on my life in the last 2 years.

Imogen Heap.

Where to start would be the first predicament to overcome in relation to Imogen. Brilliant. As an 18 year old guy newly tuned to the goings on and ways of the clubbing scene, I’d taken to a friends house one night in order to get ready. In the process of this often laborious and stressful task he, Colin, decided to grace me with ‘Speak For Yourself’, specifically a track who’s bass line and lyrics “gets me everytime”. At that time, I was not a keen listener of music; I often tuned into the local radio station for the chart while I worked out in my room, but any knowledge or opinion of music had not yet been formed.

The track started, and after being told “you might not like it” I braced myself. But hearing the opening bass riff and upbeat rock melody in the background, it gripped me. And I can assure you, it still has not left me. My knowledge of music has grown, not considerably, but enough to be able to distinguish the bad from the good. And no longer does the radio get listened to.

Imogen’s music is undescribable. I’ve often had trouble explaining to people what it’s like to hear one of Imogen’s songs. But that is exactly what is beautiful and brilliantly unique about it; you can’t. It fits into one, many and no genre; varied, original, hitting the core of any listener in one way or another. Evidently, the woman has left an impact on me which continues to grow as I and many others follow her through the third leg of her musical journey, her third album.

At first, I was intrigued by ‘Daylight Robbery’ as I dressed for that night out. Something inside me was compelled to delve deeper, to explore and discover. And even now, I’m continuously opening that next door and finding something that hits me in a place I never thought had existed, or had already been scoured by the music Imogen so successfully produces. Before I was hooked in the world of Immi, I had never thought I would be reigned in by obessesion and desire for something.

Similarly, I have come across very few artists who share a unique and extraordinary talent like that of Imogen Heap. Discovery of a multitude of online vBlogs, found at http://www.youtube.com/imogenheap, not only did I open the door to a hall of wonders in regards to new musics – for by this time [April 2008 to be exact] I had already delved into the depths of ‘i Megaphone’ (1998), aforementioned ‘Speak For Yourself’ (2005) and her alternate 2002 project alongside Guy Sigsworth, forming Frou Frou and thus producing the must-hear ‘Details’ – I was also enlightened as to Imogen’s personality. I have never known another mainstream artist to have an attractive and grounded [if slightly nutty] personality like Imogen harbours. However, Immi herself has spoke highly of friends and fellow artists who have proven themselves to be of remark. Nameably, Kate Havnevik, Milosh, Jon Hopkins, Zoe Keating and not forgetting Tori Amos. All have a unique way with music which must be experienced by the melodic-lyric lover.

Should you have read this far, taken interest, or not as the case may be, be sure to check out this lovely woman’s work. It certainly will not go miss.

Be assured, there will be more on the subject of Miss Heap to come.

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~ by himoverthereagain on March 29, 2009.