An ethereal and expansive sonic odyssey from Taiwan-based artist Imryll
How are you today?
I’m great! I’m on a bus right now, I love taking public transportation.
What was the last song you listened to?
It’s Trophy by Chara. I’m serving mandatory service right now (I’m from Taiwan) so I have limited screen time. I didn’t listen to anything for a week, but for some reason this song has been stuck in my head the whole week. I’m currently on my way home for lunar new year listening to it.
Where’s your favourite place to listen to music?
Anywhere with headphones on!
What’s the best music discovery you’ve made recently?
I would say it’s Miki Nakatani’s whole discography. She’s a Japanese actress who only released three albums in the 90s, but all of them are produced by the late Ryuichi Sakamoto. Top tier art pop stuff. (Thanks to my friend Simon who put me on her music!)
Outside of music, what inspires you?
Daily life, murmurs inside my brain. I hardly ever watch movies but the movies I watched also inspired me a lot.
What's the music scene like in Taipei? Tell us an artist you'd recommend checking out.
I’m pretty detached from the scene to be honest. I think my stuff is kind of too unusual for the norms, but too lame for the cool kids. At least that’s how I feel all these years trying to find my place here.
Where did you record your Theory Therapy mix?
I made it in my bedroom in Taipei before I moved out for military service. I’ve been missing living there…
Where would you recommend listening to it?
Doing skincare in bed, cooking alone, or after a good cry.
Theory Therapy mixes are about sharing the music that you personally find therapeutic, cathartic or restorative. What does that mean for you?
I’m a person who thinks way too much but keeps everything inside, and music has always been an important way for me to at least let something out.
Is there a particular album or piece of music that you find yourself returning to for similar reasons?
Tujiko Noriko’s My Heart isn’t Only Mine is my go-to song for crying, I cried A LOT to it.
Tell us something exciting that's coming up in your life, music or otherwise.
Hopefully I’ll release my full length debut this year! Also, after completing the mandatory service, I’ll be free from a lot of constraints (visa and stuff), which is also very exciting.
Tracklist:
Contacto - River (Imryll voc edit)
Tujiko Noriko - Saigo No Chikyu
Imryll - ?
陳珊妮 - 情歌
Kahimi Karie - I'm in the rain
Múm - We Have a Map of the Piano
ACO - 町
Moskitoo - Wonder Particle
Caroline - I’ll Leave My Heart Behind
Opiate - 1 in 23 Speed
Björk - Undo
Tujiko Noriko, Paul Davies - City Dreamscape / Open Mouthed on Train
Paul Davies - City Dreamscape pt.2
Lawrence English, Tujiko Noriko, Etienne Bideau-Rey, John Chantler - Tennisplayer Makes A Smile