Originally hailing from Bahrain, Iman is a London based multi-instrumentalist and the driving force behind an alternative music project that blends electronic and industrial alt-rock/metal, often dubbed as ‘Dance Metal’.
Give us a potted history of yourself
My name is Iman and I’m a multi-instrumental electrometal/darkwave/industrial solo artist, originally from Bahrain and now living in London. I released my first song in 2019 but at the time it was only a hobby. Since the start of 2022 I decided to dedicate myself more seriously to my music and had my very first gig as a solo artist in October 2023 to promote my debut EP ‘What Doesn’t Kill You’. Since then the support I’ve had from friends, family and fans has been great and I’m really feeling the love!
Who inspired you to start making music
I was first inspired to get into music when I was 3. I used to sit in the room with my aunt while she played the violin and I wanted to be like her. When I was 7 I started learning violin and since then many other instruments ensued, mostly self taught.
And the one or two records that inspired you artiscally
When I started writing music on the piano and singing when I was around 16, Bjork was the main artist at the time that really inspired me. I loved how different she was and original and a lot of her melodies and styles really spoke to me.
If you’re trying to explain who you sound like to someone that’s never heard you, what do you say
I don’t really know what to say when people ask who I sound like because I don’t think I sound like anyone but me!
Tell us about your new track
The main riff of Salt The Earth was originally written in Aug/Sep 2021 when I had covid and the rest of the song was born from that. I recorded the whole song in 2022 but then revisited it with a different approach with my current producer Etienne Pelosoff.
I asked Karl Standen who had joined me gigging over the last year to play guitars and write the breakdown at the end of the song and it was all finalised and finally ready in June 2024, which is when I started making plans to record the music video. The premise of the song is about a person who has trouble identifying their own personality and so they latch onto others and assumes theirs. In the end they lose their self and no longer even know who they are.
Where can we get hold of it
Salt The Earth is available on all major music streaming platforms, including my BandCamp and the music video can be found on my YouTube channel.
Tell us how you write
I write in many different ways and often full music or riffs/vocal melodies come to me in dreams. Sometimes the lyrics come first and then I’ll shape the song around that. Sometimes it’s a riff or chords and then the lyrics come after. Sometimes I’m just jamming away on my bass or piano and then a full song is born from that as I write on the spot. My song ‘This Is All We Are’ was born like that.
Tell us about your live show and what would be your dream gig
My live shows were just myself and Karl on the guitars with lots of energy – a cyberpunk looks, face jewellery and masks. I’m looking to change this up now and will be looking to get some drums involved too and I’m thinking of breaking out my synth for some extra drama! My dream gig would be supporting Crosses or Sleep Token.
What can we expect from you in the near future
There will be a remix of Salt The Earth that Etienne Pelosoff did under his other artist name Electrosoff. I have about 12 songs that I’ve written and am currently working on. So expect many singles and eventually a second EP. I also have plans to feature some artists on a couple of my upcoming tracks.
Tell us your favourite records that are rocking your headphones/studio/tour bus
I’ve currently been listening to a lot of Darko US – so I guess that’s my current jam right now!
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