Bat for Lashes on motherhood, creation and embodiment

TL;DR

Imogen Heap discusses the importance of genuine connection, incorporating dance and movement in her music and live shows, and finding new dimensions of self-expression in collaboration with Chris from Christine and the Queens.

Transcript

I think it's really easy for us to be so mind focused and I think I've been really aware lately of not mistaking the cerebral space for like genuine connection and community and physical energetic Exchange for me and bodyman is so much about playing in the garden with Delphi my daughter you know like just holding her little chubby hands and like se... Read More

Key Insights

• 👾 Genuine connection and community are essential, and mistaking cerebral space for them can hinder true embodiment.
• 💨 Dance and physical landscapes serve as powerful tools for storytelling and managing embodiment in a healthy way.
• ❓ The album "The Dream of Delphi" reflects a spontaneous and meditative quality, as it was created in improvised sessions during lockdown and influenced by Imogen's emotions.
• 😑 Becoming a mother has profoundly impacted Imogen's relationship with her body and performance, leading to a different approach to movement and self-expression.
• 🤑 The characters and archetypes Imogen works with help convey her experiences and stories, incorporating raw, ritualistic movements along with domestic ones.
• 💦 Imogen finds inspiration in the collaboration with Chris, who exemplifies an embodied performer and explores the relationship with the physical body in their work.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Imogen Heap incorporate dance and physical movement into her music and live shows?

Imogen works with a choreographer to embody characters and archetypes, translating raw and protective ritualistic movements along with domestic movements to tell her story and express her experiences.

Q: How has becoming a mother influenced Imogen Heap's relationship with her body and performance?

Becoming a mother has changed Imogen's relationship with her body, leading to a different approach to movement and performance. She feels different and stands differently within herself, exploring a new dimension of self-expression.

Q: What is the inspiration behind Imogen Heap's album "The Dream of Delphi"?

"The Dream of Delphi" is about the conception, growth, and birthing of Imogen's daughter. The album explores the cosmic resonance of this miraculous event and delves into the deep, animalistic, and raw aspects of motherhood.

Q: How does collaboration with Chris from Christine and the Queens contribute to Imogen Heap's journey of embodiment?

Imogen admires Chris as an embodied performer and appreciates the invitation to collaborate. She sees a theme of embodiment and the relationship with the physical body in Chris's work, which aligns with her own exploration of self-expression.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Imogen Heap emphasizes the significance of physical and energetic exchange in creating genuine connections and building a sense of community.

• She discusses the role of dance and physical landscapes in telling stories and managing embodiment in a healthy way, avoiding burnout and overwhelming oneself.

• Imogen shares her experience of creating her album "The Dream of Delphi" during lockdown, highlighting its spontaneous and meditative qualities.