I’MMORTAL is an artist who whirls beauty and shades of the grotesque together like contrasting colors of paint to create a palette of intensely provocative sights and sounds. Her inner polarity seduces her to pen and perform wild and wondrous songs that writhe with an arcane power. In “Floor Siren,” her latest single, a relentless acid beat surges beneath her mesmerizing vocals, casting a spell that compels you to step onto the dance floor and submit to her irresistible groove.

For the video, I’MMORTAL is wearing minimal clothing and she is adorned with a splash of gems and jewels. As she struts, twirls, and crawls her way through the music, her intention seems to be mesmerizing her prey with her flawless femininity. However, flashes reveal a ubiquitous grime and other unsettling elements that are camouflaged by her beauty. Is the allure merely an illusion? The striking juxtaposition of glamour and grit adds an intriguing dimension to the song, giving it a deeper meaning and transforming it into empowering art. 

I’MMORTAL revealed, “‘Floor Siren’ is named after the first floorwork dancing class I took that got me addicted to dancing. It’s a fun, clubby pop song that I hope makes listeners want to dance like the fiercest supernatural siren in the club! I found a new love for acid sounds that will be carried over into my next tracks. I also really had to put on my pop diva hat to write a super upbeat and untamed second verse. I hope I can carry this energy into my future tracks.”

The artist released her debut tech-house single, “Versace Spaceship,” in August 2023. Since then, I’MMORTAL has released several other tracks and amassed over half a million streams on Spotify alone. The pulsating beat and unorthodox lyrics of “Versace Spaceship” evoke a surreal futuristic vibe that is fun and enticing. Among other impactful visuals, the jarringly imaginative video features a garden of colorful human heads and a gleeful gardener capering her way through the flowers with an enormous pair of shears. Like “Floor Siren,” the visual aspect enriches the musical experience.

With an extensive background in self-expression, ranging from theater to classical music and EDM, I’MMORTAL is a wonderfully innovative artist with an alluring vision. Entertaining Options wanted to learn a little more about I’MMORTAL, her background, and her art. Thankfully, she agreed to answer a few questions to give us a deeper understanding of who she is.

Your name is awesome. Is there a story behind how you created/chose it?
Many years before I started making music, I thought of “I’MMORTAL” randomly. I thought it was really cool; it was both “Immortal” and “I’m mortal” in one word. I decided to use it as my artist name because I knew I wanted my artistry to encompass a lot of contrast. I want to be silly and deep. I want to be feminine and insanely grotesque. I’MMORTAL feels like a self-contrasting word that still makes total sense. 

You have a background that is rich in musical experiences. Are you a curious person? Do you enjoy learning how things work?
I love learning about new art forms, and I am definitely a very curious person. I love to learn how things work behind the scenes and how to combine different art forms. 

Is having a classical music background important? How about formal music lessons?
I think having a classical music background and formal music lessons is not too important. It definitely helped me learn to make music in the beginning, but I think if you focus too much on rules and scales, it can actually get in your way later on. There are many producers I know who did not come from a classical background who are the most talented musicians I know.

What challenges does a musician face when they try to learn everything on their own? Are there any advantages to not being confined by a teacher’s idea of what music is?
I think at first, trying to learn everything on your own is an overwhelmingly frustrating experience. I actually tried for four years on and off before committing to learning it. I was lucky to take some music courses at my university that forced me to create one song a week. This took me out of the initial self-judgement and forced me to finish tracks. I think when you gather the right skills and move past the initial learning curve, not being confined by someone else’s idea of music is a total creative advantage!

Who was the first person who believed in you? What did that feel like?
My swim coach back in Beijing was the first person who believed in me (other than my family, of course). I was a small child who felt capable for the first time. It unlocked a lot of determination and discipline I didn’t know I had in me.

What was the hardest challenge to overcome to get to where you are now?
I think the hardest challenge was to stop looking for a path to follow. It’s been hard not having a specific “scene” I am a part of. I do music, but I also love my videos equally. Recently I started dancing a lot, and I’ve started to do performance art as well. It’s hard to know where I fit in as an artist because I’m more of an interdisciplinary artist. I’ve learned to accept that the path ahead may not be straightforward, and that perhaps the path forward is uniquely mine. 

What makes “Floor Siren” so special for you? Why did you have to put it out into the world?
“Floor Siren” is special to me because it shows the unapologetic pop artist that’s been baking in me. I put it out in the world so the girls can dance at the club:)

What does the video add to the song?
I worked on the song first, but didn’t finish it. I then started the video. Once the video was in the editing phase, I finished the song. The song and the video are intertwined. The video makes the song feel alive.

Do you feel empowered by music? Is it a kind of supernatural experience, or is it just a good time?
I feel super empowered by music! Sometimes it’s just a good time, but many times it feels like a supernatural experience. I think music can transport you to another dimension.

Is making music more serious or fun for you?
I’m trying to make it all fun. It’s always fun when I first start a song because the possibilities are endless, but when it comes time to finish the song, it becomes too serious for me. I would like to just view finishing a track as a fun process that flows.

What lessons have you learned from other artists?
Don’t be afraid to shine, and it’s not that serious:)

What advice would you give to someone who wants to do what you do?
It’s okay to take your time. Good work takes time.

What’s the best way for people to follow and support you?
You can watch my weird videos on the I’MMORTAL YouTube channel. You can find my Instagram at @i.mm0rt4l. You can find my music on all platforms under I’MMORTAL. 

Do you have a message for your fans?
Thank you for the support<3

I’MMORTAL links:
Instagram • Facebook • SoundCloud • YouTube • Spotify