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Singer songwriter Dami Im is set to release her new single 'Paper Dragon', with the timing and its lyrics telling about where she's at right now.
Co-written with ELKI 'Paper Dragon' was to be her big, bold anthemic Eurovision 2021 entry, but with the global music festival's cancellation, Dami knew she wanted to release the song at a time when 'we need something fun and colourful and happy.'
"I needed to write again, and just really process what I was thinking about during this time," says Dami, who used our lockdown period as an opportunity for introspection, creating new music resonant with new beginnings.
"It has been hard for so many people during Covid, including myself, to stay creative and positive. I have been writing every single day, though within our industry, everything's changed, a lot of people are devastated, dreams are broken, and we've all had to shift and readjust to this new normal. I guess I wanted to release a song that's hopeful and a bit of fun, and also as a way to express myself through lyrics that declare, "I am strong and I've always been strong"".
The track was produced by Konstantin Kersting (Tones and I, Mallrat, The Jungle Giants), and is a nod to Dami's love of synth pop, reminiscent of her hits 'Super Love' and 'Gladiator', with the use of unconventional instruments and sounds like scrunching paper, and a hook which just clicks.
"I think everyone can definitely relate to the lyrics in their own way. I find I have to continue to try and not pay too much attention to what other people outside are saying about me because sometimes that noise can really block me from my own beliefs about myself. I think that's the message here in the song, for all of us."
Usually collaborating in person, Dami found that remote creativity, where she and ELKI exchanged ideas around the lyrics via video calling, allowed her to continue 'seeing the big picture and not lose perspective.'
"Overall, you remain balanced and get to bounce around ideas when you stay connected. When you talk to someone else, it really helps you to get outside of your head and just 'refresh'. It ended up being a really enjoyable process."
Dami Im is one of Australia's most respected artists. A piano virtuoso, she also has a Master of Music Studies in Contemporary Voice, and first captured our attention and hearts when she won The X Factor Australia in 2013 (to me that feels like a lifetime ago, and I've learned so many things along the way, including who I want to be as an artist).
Her self-titled debut album and single "Alive" both debuted at #1 on the ARIA charts, and she went on to release three more acclaimed studio albums, performing all around the world. In 2016, Dami became 'Eurovision Royalty' when she earned the highest score ever achieved by an Australian entry, and her single 'Sound of Silence' charted globally.
Dami's recent third tour success (her national 'Dreamer Tour'), a fun appearance on 'Dancing With The Stars' in 2020 ("that was so hard, but I'm glad I did it!"), and a dedicated fan base ("the Dami Army") are indicative of some career highs for her, with this forthcoming single and album release signalling new adventures which await our enduring Aussie artist.
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