IAMX

This post has been long overdue, I struggled a little to put my experience into words and I didn't really want this blog post to be a blabbing, gushy mess (not sure if I achieved this or not but here we go).

Music has been my first love ever since I was little, I am constantly listening to it and being inspired by it. A good chunk of the time I am listening to IAMX, who I discovered around 2006 and has been my favourite artist ever since. For those of you who don't know, IAMX is the solo project of former Sneaker Pimps member Chris Corner. His music has provided me with so much comfort growing up and has helped me through many tough times. I think in a way it's shaped me into the person I am today. Living in Australia I never thought I'd get the chance to see IAMX live but now that I've moved to London it was pretty much number one on my bucket list.

A few months back I got a Meet & Greet opportunity for the London show that was happening in April and although I'd never been more excited for anything in my life, I was also super anxious. What do you say to someone who you've never met but has made such a profound impact on your life? I decided not to think about it too much and soon enough the day finally came.

I had done quite a large painting of Chris back in my last year of high school (which was 2009, whew I feel old) and I'm gutted that it was too big to bring to London but I did have a photo of it to give to him, as well as a more recent pencil sketch I did.

Three other fans and I were let in to the venue early to watch the soundcheck, and the moment I saw him on the stage and he waved at us was when it really hit me that I was about to meet my favourite musician. After the soundcheck, their manager led us up to their dressing room shortly followed by Chris and the rest of the live band. To my surprise, I was perfectly composed when I introduced myself and he proceeded to give me a hug. I think it really helped that he was absolutely lovely and very friendly in real life which definitely put me at ease with the whole situation.

He remembered the photoshoot that I went off of for the 2009 painting and then proceeded to tease me about the fact that I left off a buckle on his hat in the sketch. It was pretty funny.

I cannot adequately describe the live show afterwards. It was simply the best experience of my life. The songs seemed to resonate through my bones like something more familiar to me than my own self. I got quite emotional when they played a certain track called Spit It Out, it was the first song I heard of IAMX and the one that has led me on this magical musical journey through the years.

I will end this post with two IAMX video clips for those of you who are yet to be subjected to his artistry; one being my all time favourite and the other is more recent yet no less hauntingly beautiful.