Immi Dash, interview: writing late night healing songs | « Luna » EP

Rising UK Alt-R&B singer, songwriter and artist Immi Dash shares her new EP ‘LUNA’, out everywhere now.

For fans of Amber Mark and Olivia Dean, Immi’s sound is characterised by smoky harmony stacks and groovy drum beats, all wrapped up in her soulful vocals. Born in Scotland to British and Trinidadian parents, raised between California and Stroud, and now based in Liverpool, Immi draws on her combined influences as inspiration for her sound and songwriting. 

Her new EP ‘LUNA’ plays homage to the moon, nighttime and feminine energy. It’s a stream of consciousness of a woman navigating her 20s, and a reminder that there is always some light in the gloom.

After every difficult night where you can’t sleep and your head is spinning, there’s a morning light that follows. 

Watch our interview with Immi Dash:

1. Your EP is titled Luna, literally “the moon.” What drew you to this theme? In what ways did the moon inspire the project?

Luna is actually my middle name! I decided to make it a project title a couple of years ago, but I had no idea what that would look like until I wrote the songs. I always felt that Luna was a little part of my personality and identity I wanted to explore. I often wonder what I would have been like if my parents had decided to make that my first name instead… In terms of the moon being an inspiration, it was a constant presence at the time of my writing. I tend to feel creative after nightfall and that’s when I could be most honest with this project. The moon is also such an image of femininity and this EP feels like I’m stepping into my power as a writer and growing in confidence with using my voice as a woman. 

2. The entire EP carries a strong nocturnal atmosphere. How did you approach the writing and production to capture those night vibes?

Thank you! That was very much the aim, so it’s good to hear it described in that way. The whole EP was produced by MISTRY who did such a good job at de-coding my cryptic descriptions of the otherworldly sounds I wanted on each track…

In terms of the process, we recorded the live instruments first (bass, keys and drums) all together and then I went through and comped all of the takes to find my favourites. I sent that on to MISTRY and then we had lots of zoom meetings where I told him about the spacey layers and sounds wanted on each track. He took that and elevated it past what I imagined! I couldn’t have brought this to life without him and the musicians involved, so I’m very grateful to everyone for giving me this opportunity to present my art with such a great backdrop. 

3. You portray the night as a space for vulnerability, where doubts and insecurities can be expressed more easily. Was creating this EP a healing experience for you?

Definitely healing, yes. I think the main thing ‘LUNA’ has done for me is shown that I can take something from the smallest flash of an idea into something that can connect with others. I’m going forward with confidence that I didn’t know I had and that’s all due to ‘LUNA’ and the responses that people have had towards it.

4. For many people, night also brings self-reflection. Do you have advice for those who feel stuck or struggle to move forward in their lives?

That’s a hard one… I think everyone’s situation is so unique and what might work for me wouldn’t work for someone else. But I found in those moments that I struggled during the nighttime, especially after the loss of my Dad, I needed to pick up something creative. Whether that was writing, doodling or a colouring book, I needed to just do something physical to avoid getting tied up in my thoughts.

I absolutely hated it when people said to me ‘this will pass’, because when you’re in the middle of a hard time it’s impossible to see a way out. So I’ll just say that eventually there will be a moment where there is more clarity in your life. So trust in the fact that things will become manageable again. Believe in your capability to heal. 

5. Finally, which track from Luna would you recommend as the perfect entry point for listeners discovering your universe?

I would recommend listening to ‘Late in the Moonlight’ from ‘LUNA’. I think it’s a nice soft entry point to my world as a writer. It grows from just piano and vocals to layers of synths, strings, live drums, bass and harmony stacks. I reckon you’ll like it.