In this interview spotlight, I chat with Diem about the latest project, motivations, challenges and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and what style of music would you classify yourselves as?
I’m from Paris, France but I would say I come from all over the world because music, art and inspiration travel everywhere now. They reach to us instantly and make us who we are. So coming from a specific geographical location sure gives some indications, but that doesn’t really define anything.
I create my music with Besar Likaj (who also directs my videos) and Sébastien Fouster aka Astone on the Track, and we all come from very different backgrounds and inspirations.
My music is mainly pop but there are some subtle influences that come from different eras and places. I think it’s fun to take some tiny bits of this and that and blend them into your own music. Which makes it difficult sometimes for an artist to put a label on his music.
What led you down the path of music and what motivates you to stay the course?
My mom actually led me down the path of music. I had a strict education and I began piano classes at the age of 6. From then on, she kept pushing me with music, but she kind of regretted it at some point when I told her I wanted to be a singer. She actually had envisioned something else for me. You guessed it: doctor, lawyer, engineer, that’s what she wanted me to become. But it was too late!
The music industry is sure a difficult and complex one, but there is not really “something” that motivates me to stay the course. Music is just what I have to do, what I am. It’s like my essence. So I do it.
How is “SAM” different than your previous releases? Did you set out to accomplish anything specific?
SAM is autobiographical. This whole story with SAM really happened to me so I had to open my wounds to write this song and heal. It was my first time going through such an intense and painful process.
I usually enjoy creating mid or up-tempo songs, but this time I wanted to slow it down a little bit. I wanted to be able to express every feeling that was eating me from the inside. And it took me several weeks to write this song because I chose each word very carefully. I have to admit it was a little bit of a torture. But I enjoyed every second of it!
Regarding the music video for “SAM”, it is the sequel of the first episode “Here You Gun”. I wanted my music videos to be like an investigation series. So all the music videos for my songs follow each other. I wanted to interact with my audience, so in these videos, I’m inviting them to take part in the investigation. They should scrutinize each and every scene to find the clues in order to find who the culprit is, among the several suspects.
Each of the suspects has his own Instagram account where additional clues are posted to help the audience solve the investigation.
I have never done a project like this before, but I already had this idea for a long time and I had so much fun putting this together. Each episode has a different style, so the video for “SAM” is totally different from the first one but of course, the plot remains the same.
Do you face challenges as an indie musician in a digital age? How has technology helped you (assuming it helps)?
I guess every musician faces challenges in this digital age. Delivering music to people hasn’t been more accessible, but at the same time, it is so difficult due to the ever-increasing number of artists out there.
Technology helped me to exist as an artist, on my own. My team and I can do whatever we want, whenever we want, and if we decide to. We don’t depend on any other structure to deliver our creations. It gave me the freedom to make my music alive and to reach directly to the people I want to reach.
Where can we connect with you online and discover more music?
Follow me on Spotify
Instagram: @diemxdiem
Facebook page: facebook.com/thisisdiem
And subscribe to my Youtube channel: https://goo.gl/r9YnRh
Anything else before we sign off?
I wrote “SAM” so that people could relate to it and embrace their pain. So to anyone who has experienced a tortured relationship, or to anyone who was dragged down by love, be honest to yourself and live your pain fully. Acknowledge it, embrace it. Let it resonate in you. Try to understand it. It is the only way you can grow from it and make it a strength.
