FAULT Magazine At Home With Jimi Somewhere
Photography: Ole Martin Jensen
It’s impossible to categorise Jimi Somewhere into just one genre, nor should we have to. While there are indeed elements of electro-pop, hip-hop and alt-pop woven within Jimi Somewhere’s previous releases – they blend uniquely into something not heard before and yet comfortable to the ear.
Today, Jimi returns with his new track Wedding, a highly personal song full of self-reflection and a great example of Jimi’s ability to convey emotion while also story telling through his music.
We caught up with Jimi Somewhere to discuss his process, upcoming LP ‘Nothing Gold Can Stay’ and of course, his FAULTs.
Has the emotional toll of 2020 influenced the music on Nothing Gold Can Stay?
Most of this album was written before everything went to hell so no, but there’s a lot of music coming after that’s been made during quarantine. It’s been a rough year so I’ll probably keep writing about it well into 2021 too.
What’s changed about your process on this LP compared to previous releases?
The timeline working on this album is way more scattered. The goal was always to make an album when me and my producer Milo started, but we quickly realised we weren’t skilled enough to make the album we wanted too. So between working on my first two EPs, “Memoria” and “Ponyboy,” we worked on this. Now it’s been 3 years and it’s recorded all over the place both in time and space.
You’re highly involved in the visual side of your artistry, as your career grows do you ever fear having to relinquish that control to others?
Actually yeah! Honestly i don’t even know if i would manage, but i feel like if you get big enough it’s inevitable. I love being in control, but I hate doing all the small promo ads and stuff like that. I’ll probably always keep doing the big ones like album covers etc though. That I can’t give away. Hopefully I’ll find a trusted and talented ally to take over everything else eventually.
What was the hardest song to write on the upcoming LP?
I had problems listening to “Tears, 2016” for a long time after making it. It’s the most straight up break up song I’ve ever made and it’s so personal that it would just hit too hard. I’d deadass start to cry and that havent happened to me before.
What’s been the most challenging aspect of your musical journey so far?
I think just figuring out how to take everything to the next level. Because i been releasing music for 4-3 years now, and I’ve seen close friends of mine do it big and I’ve befriended bigger artist and seen up close what they do so it’s just a matter of figuring out “How do I get there while still being myself?”. I know it’s possible and I’m fairly certain it will happen. Just a matter of how and when. Patience is your friend.
What’s something you wish journalists would stop asking you?
I hate the “Tell us a little about yourself” because I never know what to say. I’m always like “Hi, Im Jimi. Im 22 and make music.” It sounds so lame. Please just introduce me.
What’s something new you learned about yourself in 2020?
I think just acknowledging that I too am capable of really breaking down. I’ve always had such pride in having a strong mental health, but when shit got real this year and I really felt it I had to swallow my pride. It kind of caught me by surprise. Being used to being the one who helps friends around me, it felt weird being the one asking for help. Luckily I have a really great circle of friends who dont judge or avoid the tough talks.
2020 hasn’t been the easiest year, what’s something you’ve done to protect your mental health this year?
Talk! It really helps. More than you think too. I’ve had my share of personal crisis this year and I tried to just carry it inside, but that’ll eat you up. It’s also easy to think that talking about it wont change the situation, but it will definitely make it lighter to deal with. That and write songs. Writing songs has always been my therapy ever since I was a kid. I’ll go to Milo (my producer and bff) and be like “Can you please make something super sad i can write to right now because i have some stuff i need to get out”. That takes a lot of the weight off. Overall just don’t bury the sadness. Write about it, talk about it, feel it. Avoiding it only makes it worse.
What is your FAULT?
A big one is that I romanticize everything. You can hear it in my music too, but being stuck in the past isn’t that fun. Makes for a lot of longing for something that’s literally gone forever. That’s kinda what my whole album is about.