I M U R

Vancouver, BC – This week Vancouver trio I M U R (Mikey J, Jenny Lea, and Amine Bouzaher) released a new Nancy Lee directed video for the track “Swirl,” which was released earlier this year.

The video presents a crucial commentary on love, and is backed by the soft, sensual sonic vibes of “Swirl.” The story line follows a young black dancer named Kevin as he comes to terms with and explores his bisexuality. Kevin has a girlfriend, but he starts to develop feelings towards his fellow dancer Jason as the two of them dance together.

The dance becomes a physical manifestation of the raw feelings. There’s a beautiful fluidity to the motions and movements, and the underlying sexual and emotional tension. The choreography of this video is such a fitting representation of love. It’s unpredictable. It’s fluid and ever-changing. And it’s not confined to any one narrative.

Director Nancy Lee wanted to use the video to defy the stereotypical narratives of “mostly white bodies on-screen, or intimacy portrayed through hetero relationships.” She wanted to show a more accurate storyline focusing on the male tenderness, as opposed to the desexualization or hyper-sexualization of black males that she’s observed in mainstream media.

Here’s what I M U R’s Jenny Lea had to say about this video: “‘Swirl’ is about love in its fluid and infinite nature. The video challenges the binary of male sexuality, and artfully contrasts the everyday expression of our internal and external worlds and how cultural norms cause them to fracture and diverge.”

And on that note, if you’re going to be in Calgary next weekend, catch I M U R performing live at Sled Island on Jun. 24. They hit the stage at 4:45 p.m. to perform at the Block Party, and again at 11 p.m. for a set at Hifi Club. - Hip Hop Canada

I M U R (pronounced like "I am you are") is one of the raddest acts you'll find out of Vancouver.
The trio combines influences such as 90s hip-hop and R&B with more familiar electronic sounds, and this fusion of genres has made their sound not just pleasant to listen to, but incredibly fun to experience.
Today, EARMILK is happy to premiere the music video for one of their latest releases, titled "Swirl". Unlike other types of music videos, which may focus less on a solid storyline and instead hone in on abstractness to entice, the "Swirl" music video creates a beautiful narrative using familiar sequences in a story and also through elegant dance choreography.
"'Swirl' is a deeply vulnerable story which explores love in its fluid and infinite nature. The narrative focuses on Kevin, a black, male dancer, who discovers his bisexuality through his interactions with Jason, a fellow dancer. “Swirl” artfully contrasts the everyday expression of our internal and external worlds and how cultural norms cause them to fracture and diverge."

The "Swirl" music video is a well-executed piece of work that perfectly expresses the song's urban, feathery sound so that once viewers watch the video, they won't be able to get the song or the images out of their head. Like a glass of lemonade on a cool day, the song is definitely a special mood-setter and has only been made more the meaningful with such an articulate music video. - Earmlik

As we entered the front door and headed down the lefthand staircase of Celebrities Nightclub, we were first met by the soft red glow and dampened thumping of bass from the main room above. As we descended deeper though, it started to feel a little less like a basement and a lot more like the great outdoors of the Pacific Northwest. We had arrived at the SOLD OUT ‘Little Death’ album release party, hosted by Vancouver’s own I M U R.

'Little Death', as stated by the band, "alludes to the brief loss of consciousness or spiritual release during a post-'o' state." With the help of friends Laine Butler and ShapeShifterStudio to create the visual environment, the whole experience was designed to guide an individual to such a state through the course of the evening. A concept that has been over a year in the works, we were watching it unfold before our eyes.

Before the show even started, it was made clear that this wasn’t just an album release party - it was a movement. Within the basement space, a team of friends and volunteers helped to reimagine our own Pacific backyard inside Celebrities - trees, ferns, and moss decorated across the floor and ceiling and projections of our PNW danced over the backdrop behind the stage. This was all done in effort to support Pacific Wild, a non-profit organization devoted to defending wildlife and their habitat along Canada’s Pacific coast. Halfway through their performance, Mikey came on the mic to remind us all that “without our backyard, without this, there would be no ‘you.’ And without you, there would be no ‘us.’ That is what I M U R is all about.”

I M U R brought their raw energy and signature track looping, taking us all on a ride with vibrating cinematic builds that rose into passionate drops. The whole audience swayed along with Jenny Lea’s reverberating voice, filling space between Amine Bouzaher and Mikey J Blige who traded captivating solos back and forth. The trio treated us to a blend of highlights from their new album, fan favourite originals, and a rare rework of Drake’s ‘Blessings’ - all to finish with ‘F F L’, an original that is bound to be stuck in your head for weeks.

Accompanied by A-Ro The Naut, Withinroots, Jodye, and Tails, this was a full-on production pulled together by a team united by a movement. Thank you to everyone who helped make this night what it was. - RENDRD Magazine

A major factor in the slow decline of guitar-driven music—if you want our professional opinion—is the rise of cheap digital audio workstations, or DAWs. Coming pre-loaded with drum patterns, malleable synths, and simple interfaces, DAWs make it more than possible to create electronic tracks in your basement that are—after you watch a few YouTube tutorials—studio quality.

That’s not to say, however, that every bedroom producer is the next Audiojack. True, the barrier to entry has lowered, but as SoundCloud becomes saturated with competent compositions, the rift between the average and the inspired widens.

Vancouver group I M U R falls squarely in the latter category.

Despite releasing its debut record, Little Death, just weeks ago, the trio—pronounced “I am, you are”—has already racked up more than 200,000 cumulative SoundCloud plays on its nine experimental R&B tracks, due in large part to the standout single, “F F L”. Layering singer Jenny Lea’s soulful voice over tropical-tinged chords and sparse electronic drum rhythms, the song is at once highly danceable and effortlessly smooth—a characteristic that defines the record as a whole.

Recognizing the power of space and silence, Mikey J Blige’s production never overloads the album with samples or instruments, relying instead on simple guitar riffs and light piano touches to complement Lea’s vocal acrobatics. A master of genre-bending, I M U R creates tracks like “Breathless” and “Bumps” that swing between commanding traplike drum samples and soft, melancholic bridges, creating a rich diversity that is emphasized in a live setting by third member Amine Bouzaher’s electric violin and bass.

A master class in slick production, Little Death’s rich contemporary sounds should prove a model for Vancouver’s burgeoning producers. - The Georgia Straight

The Vancouver trio tackle unconventional sexuality and timeless R&B grooves on their new album.

The title of Vancouver electronic trio I M U R's album Little Death refers to the loss of consciousness sometimes experienced during an orgasm, and that collision of morbidity and unconventional sexuality is the secret sauce that gives a kick to the seemingly easygoing LP. Not that the group's mastery of varied chill-out dynamics is a detriment; in fact, the soulful bounce of songs like "Bumps" is welcome in an overstuffed indie R&B sphere that often emphasizes empty moodiness. I M U R also nod to early-00s influences in clever ways, from the full-on "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" strut of "Blue Dream" (a duet between singer Jenny Lea and rapper/producer Tee Krispil) to the dramatic "Breathless," subtly recalling Aaliyah's "I Refuse" in its slow burn.

"Lyrically, [this album] is transparent, broaching subjects such as non-traditional relationship and sexual dynamics, and the fine line between self-consciousness and self-awareness," the band tells Noisey. "There's a certain strength that comes with vulnerability, and we feel authenticity comes from creating something genuine, honest, and real." Stream Little Death in its entirety below. - Noisey

Whether it's navigating the lines between cool-hued '90s R&B and foundations-shaking future bass, or their own fluid definitions of sexuality, Vancouver project I M U R's new Little Death album has the act ready to explore their surroundings with open minds.

Early album single "FFL," premiered last September, is a sleek and sensual marvel of breathy vocals and chimed-and-chirruped electronics, its video a rollercoaster for multiple female partners that fuck, fight, and love, and not necessarily in that order.

I M U R's trio of vocalist/keyboardist Jenny Lea, producer/guitarist Mikey J Blige and violinist/bassist Amine Bouzaher didn't originally set out to make an album, but once a month-to-month singles project on Soundcloud revealed several common themes, they opted to inspect their emotions on a larger scale.

"What ties the whole album together is that it is a very vulnerable and introspective piece of music," Lea explains, adding that the nine-song release is about "sharing things that you don't necessarily share on a daily basis...about strength and the beauty of shortcomings, the juxtaposition between sensuality and sexuality."

"It always seems like two steps forward and one step back,” Bouzaher says, relating Little Death’s combination of political and personal themes to the climate of progress. "We make positive progress in terms of allowing people alternative sexualities and allowing people of colour and women to have equal rights, and gender equality, and then you have Trump elected president."

He continues, “Jenny does a great job of highlighting [these issues] in the lyrics from her personal experience and the experiences of those around her as well. Fight the good fight with the ways you can, right?"

Conscious-expanding lyrics are paired with countless sonic and rhythmic change-ups on the multi-faceted Little Death. "Waiting" shifts metres from a head-nodding boom bap to a paisley-print swing; "Lay Me Down" is late-night house minimalism that makes use of layered, looped vocals and twitchy hi-hat work; "Blue Dream" is a hazy love-letter to weed that features a tight-twisted rap from Tee Krispil and a sample from Lea's parents' old rock band, Shamash. Little Death preserves these recordings in amber, but a March 18 release party at Celebrities, as part of the DoNights Discovery Series, may well have I M U R boldly manipulating this music anew for their Vancouver audience.

"It is a live electronic act. It is different in the fact that we are all playing instruments, we're all looping, we're all live-composing, we're all improvising," Lea notes of their live process, adding animatedly, "We turn those shits inside out to figure out what we can do live and what we can do differently to make it exciting for you to see."

10 LOCAL ARTISTS I M U R SAYS WE SHOULD BE LISTENING TO
The People Northwest
Jenny : Because they've got straight hip-hop flames; their live set is fire. You can tell they've put a lot of work in. Their rhymes are tight, their verses are well-spoken. Too many people are slacking, but they are not.

Desiree Dawson
Amine: She won the [2016] CBC Searchlight competition against a seven-piece future bass band with backup singers and drummers and everything--It was her, some candles, a ukulele, her voice, and heartfelt, emotional lyrics. Her voice is shockingly beautiful. I've been walking with her and seen people, as she's just singing to herself, just stop and look. 'Who is that?' Check out her album, Wild Heart.

So Loki
Mikey: We've been traveling the Vancouver scene with them at the same pace, I feel like. It's good to see them progress. They're doing something with hip-hop that nobody else is doing in Vancouver, in that they're pushing boundaries and making people not necessarily feel comfortable the entire time. They're saying things boldly, the entire way through. It's admirable to see them go so hard into whatever they do.

Diana Boss
J: Diana Boss is a house duo in Vancouver. Those two, they work so hard. They're putting out so much music, and that music is being well received. They're collaborating with as many people as they can, locally, and really trying to put a focus on community. They've remixed a couple of our songs-- they were part of that [FFL] remix EP-- and we put out a music video with them. They're just good dudes, man. If anybody has a chance to work with them, I highly suggest you do.

On Planets
A: It's a solo act, [with] amazing future bass style production, and live vocals with almost a Bon Iver-style processing on top. Really intimate, quiet, beautiful moments with keyboard playing, and at other times the most bangin'-est, trap-smashin' hip hop. I remember seeing him at the Biltmore, he was playing violin, singing, playing keys, triggering everything himself and we were blown away. He's the ideal of where you can get to as a solo act.

withinroots
M: He's opening for us at our album release show. He's similar to On Planets, but he's got an eerie feel to him. If On Planets is more Bon Iver, he has a James Blake essence about him. He's done work with some really amazing rappers in town-- he works with Brevner all the time, he's just a very potent musical soul. When I met him, I knew that he was an artist immediately. He just gives off this aura of art.

tails
J: tails is a heavy producer, he'll also be closing the evening of our DoNights show. He’s been doing really well locally, but lately internationally, blowing it up on Spotify. I know Mikey puts a lot of his songs in his DJ sets, which I love. We may or may not have a remix coming out from tails.

Eli Muro
A: He's one of the core members of the Chapel Sound crew, a really multi-talented, hard-working guy. Untangling is the name of a song [and video], that he worked on with Nancy Lee. Beautiful, tender, [the video presents] hands connected with strings, and the idea of detangling yourself from someone, whether it be a partner or a friend. Just very unique, jungle-style production that will get you moving and will also make you think about the music. Very intricate, interesting sounds...I love that kind of stuff.
J: He said he wanted to be this very impactful, lyrical kind of artist. He said he wanted to be the Neil Young of electronic music, and he pretty much fucking is. His electronic music will bring you to tears. It's beautiful.

Potatohead People
M: I've been looking up to Potatohead People for the past 5 years. Astrological and Nick Wisdom's records were what got me into producing instrumental hip-hop, and led me to J. Dilla. They opened up an entire world of music for me, and now that we get to work with them is a dream come true for all of us. They're doing huge moves. They're releasing their next record on HW&W, and they've got their style in the pocket. Like, nobody is making those Dilla-esque beats mixed with the Montreal house vibes.

POMO
M: We're all huge POMO fanboys and girls. He's making the biggest moves in Vancouver right now. He just flew out to work on Anderson .Paak's new album; he won a Juno last year for best electronic album, and his shit is just so groovy. He makes me think about having more fun while I'm making my own music. How can we all have as much fun as possible making this stuff so that we emanate that when we're playing? - Do604

Based out of East Vancouver, I M U R (I am you are), is a three piece live electric band. Their sound is a hybrid influence of 90’s hip-hop/R&B, electronic, experimental, and soul. Their new album Little Death was released March 24th. The single first single off the album “Swirl” has made a huge impact.

“’Swirl’ is deeply personal and vulnerable song about exploring love in it’s fluid and infinite nature. Quite suitably, the production is intimate and mesmerizing. It’s a psychedelic and swirling stereo down-tempo experience.” The band says about the single.

The mellow beat of “Swirl” sets the tone for intimacy and the vocals are incredibly seductive. Which is fitting for I M U R because their sound is seductive and addicting. “Swirl” is the preview of what is expected on their full-length Little Death.

“We seek to blend strength with vulnerability and intimacy in our songs and often thematically touch on introspection, sex, substances, and heartache.” The band adds.

The album is also available on Spotify for listeners and people who would think they would like I M U R for something different and addictive to enjoy. - Audible Addixion

I M U R

Vancouver’s I M U R has been all over BC since the release of their recent album ‘Little Death’. With more shows and festivals to come very shortly, it is evident that this electronic band is taking no breaks when it comes to sharing their incredible sound. The songs are catchy and will make you dance but what’s more is, as they’ve said themselves, their relatable lyrics: “We seek to blend strength with vulnerability and intimacy in our songs and often thematically touch on introspection, sex, substances, and heartache.” Check out this Canadian band here for videos, social media accounts, and show dates! - Novella

Here's an act sounding like where they're coming from, in this case hardscrabble East Vancouver. IMUR (I am you are), is a 3piece live electronic band which deals in an amalgam of sounds influencedby 90’s hip-hop/r&b, electronic, experimental, and soul music. There are moments of West Coast nouveau psychedelia to be sure but here they are splashes of sunshine on a gritty, shades-of grey- landscape. Debut album Little Death is just out, with first single “ Swirl” available to stream and share on SoundCloud/ Spotify.

IMUR says “ Swirl” is a deeply personal and vulnerable song about exploring love in it’s fluid and infinite nature. Quite suitably, the production is intimate and mesmerizing. It’s a psychedelic and swirling stereo downtempo experience. The track is a preview of what to expect from our full length Little Death. We seek to blend strength with vulnerability and intimacy in our songs and often thematically touch on introspection, sex, substances, and heartache." - CashboxCanada Magazine

Vancouver, British Columbia-based trio I M U R’s single “Swirl” is the third track on their recently released album, Little Death. Influenced by elements of 90’s electronic, Hip-Hop, R&B, and soul, the band’s members—Jenny Lea, Mikey J Blige, and Amine Bouzaher—work their smooth magic to create an inspiring downtempo experience with the single, which will leave you amazed and speechless at the end.

(I M U R is short for “I Am You Are.”)

The song starts softly with only soft guitar strums and spliced vocals. The vocal work alone, with the way it seems to creep from a distance and the way the vocal splice pans left and right, does enough to have the song work its magic and immediately have listeners in a loving trance. Keeping the instrumental the same leading into the first verse, “Swirl” hears a welcoming entrance by the lead vocalist. Jenny Lea’s voice suits the song’s vibe very well; she doesn’t overdo any parts and the lyrics are easy enough to understand.

Two things that that I really like about “Swirl” are, (1) The minimalistic arrangement, and (2) The song’s ability to subtly build up as it goes along, offering a little pleasing surprise each time. The drums, for instance, enter the song at around the 0:50 mark. It’s a small but impactful addition. I specifically like the drum tracks: Some sound natural, others sound synthesized, but they all work extremely well together to deliver an unpredictable and moving rhythm. Furthermore, the guitar and the Rhodes piano themselves have such an effective sound. They don’t have a complicated melody, as all they play are simple chords and strums. However, their sounds have some kind of scary magic that makes them huge contributors to the song’s psychedelic atmosphere. Finally, what really amazes me about the bass is that most of it comes from the bass drum. Any other bass stem is likely a sub-bass synth, but either way, the bass together is deep enough to rumble the bedroom floor and it doesn’t muddy out the song.

The only thing I don’t really like is how the song ends. Although the song begins to close out quietly, the fade-out is too abrupt. Given what “Swirl” delivered in four minutes, the song deserves a more satisfying ending.



Overall, I M U R has a really good single with “Swirl.” Nothing is overdone. I M U R doesn’t try too hard. There’s just simply a lot of genuine love and raw emotion that emits from this song and I’m left craving for more. This minimalistic electronic downtempo will take you to another world and leave your stress behind. Dim the lights or burn a candle, whatever you prefer. Relax, smoke, or snuggle with someone, and let I M U R’s “Swirl” take you away. - 24 Our Magazine

I M U R (I am you are), is a live electronic act with a hybrid sound influenced by 90’s hip-hop/r&b, electronic, experimental, and soul. The band consists of producer Mikey J Blige on live beat composition and electric guitar, singer-songwriter Jenny Lea on keys, vocals, and looping, and producer/multi-instrumentalist Amine Bouzaher on electric violin and bass.

Their debut EP Slow Dive (released Aug. 2015), garnered much acclaim from the Vancouver underground scene, and recently landed them #5 in Spotify’s Global Viral Top 50 charts.

No strangers to hard work, since their conception in July 2015, the band has played Shambhala Music Festival, World Ski & Snowboard Festival, Astral Harvest, Center of Gravity, and Rifflandia

You can check out Swirl from their album Little Death which is released today!


We managed to catch up with Jenny Lea- Vocals & Keys, Mikey J Blige- Live Production & Electric guitar and Amine Bouzaher- Electric Violin & Bass as they talk about their new album and more!



So how has the release of Swirl gone?

J) We have had an overwhelming amount of support from blogs and listeners. This song is very special to us, and we’re very pleased with the reactions. We will be releasing a beautiful music video to accompany the song in April!

How pumped are you for the release of ‘Little Death’?

J) On a scale from 1-10 we are sitting at a firm 20. We’ve put a lot of love into this album over the past year. We have also had the opportunity to work with some of our idols including Astrological from Potatohead People, and POMO. We’re excited to finally have something tangible online to show the direction we’ve taken since our debut EP ‘Slow Dive’ (2015).

Tell us a little bit about the LP

M) The LP, ‘Little Death’, is one that we’ve been working on since November 2015. It represents a large amount of learning and progress from us as artists and as people; going deeper personally and musically, allowing for more of ourselves to be shown. It’s a world away from our debut EP, but in the same universe.

A) The album represents a lot of topics focused around personal growth and exploration, whether that be interpersonal or purely internal. The breadth of growth from the first song (chronologically speaking) to the last is amazing to see, and the culmination of the whole album really is a “Little Death”! To have joined the band about halfway through the album and be part of the process of taking the recorded songs from Mikey’s amazing production to show-ready was very fun.

What’s your favourite song from the release?

J) Swirl

M) The Cut

A) To play live, definitely Blue Dream. God I love that bass-line. For listening I’d say either Breathless or Swirl.
If you could work with any artist/band on a new song, who would it be and why?

J) Mr. Carmack, because I’ve already written over some of his beats and I know they be fire.

M) Anderson.Paak, he’s been a huge inspiration to me lately and I’d love to feel what its like to be with him in the studio. He pushes me to put my all into everything I do.

A) Bonobo. BONOBO. Please read this and hit me up. Because he makes hauntingly gorgeous groovy-ass music.

What has been your proudest moment to date?

A) Selling out our first album release show last weekend…god dayum that felt good.

J) Landing #5 on the Global Viral Billboard charts was pretty cool. ‘Trippin’ On Feet’ was one of the first songs we ever made together, in a closet on a $60 condenser mic and a bunk audio interface.

What was your funniest moment while recording the EP?

M) There’s too many to count. I (not so) secretly record everything that we do while rehearsing/recording and then make songs out of the ensuing derp-isodes. Expect a full EP with just Jenny’s laughing, snorting, and cursing bloopers.

Who has the best fashion sense out of you guys?

M) Jenny. She actually puts effort into thinking about how she looks haha. Amine and I are producers you know? And not the sneaker-head hip-hop producer kind of producers.

What’s the music scene like in East Vancouver?

J) There’s a movement happening right now and it’s very exciting to be a part of. There hasn’t always been a strong support for local artists, but booking agents and blogs are starting to give more opportunities, and this is creating a spotlight on the hardworking up-and-comers. People that aren’t directly involved in the music community are starting to come out to more local shows. We have some awesome inclusive collectives that are creating a strong network for support, and put an emphasis on collaboration over competition. We have some incredibly talented and diverse artists in East Vancouver, it’s a good time to be involved.

What does mean to you guys when fans listen to your music?

A) It means….royalty money? No seriously, it means validation. Although you don’t want to be playing for that, it definitely helps you feel like you’re on the right track. Especially when the feedback is so positive : )

M) We are nothing without our supporters and network of collaborators. This is the meaning of I M U R.

J) It means the world to us. I M we Rn’t without U - OriginalRock

I M U R, spoken aloud as “I Am You Are”, is putting together some killer tunes that in 2015 gave rise to their intriguing concept album, Slow Dive. Their genre-bending sound brought back the nostalgic vibes of the 90s hip-hop and R&B but infused them with electronica and soul that created a new progressive style. The refinement of their approach on the sophomore album, Little Death, is refreshing and culminates in a wonderfully chill, down-to-earth collection of tracks.

The East Vancouver trio, consisting of Jenny Lea on vocals and keys, Mikey Blige on electric guitar and production and Amine Bouzaher on electric violin and bass, puts together songs that are intimate and vulnerable. The debut single, “FFL”, starts with a simple electronic beat, and like most great 90s songs, a solid bass-line, before Lea steps in with her gentle, gravelly vocals that are rhythmic and measured and but still emphasizes the poetic nature of the lyrics. It shows that I M U R is more about creating something unique.

I M U R talks about “Swirl” saying that, “[It] is a deeply personal and vulnerable song about exploring love in it’s fluid and infinite nature. Quite suitably, the production is intimate and mesmerizing. It’s a psychedelic and swirling stereo downtempo experience.” Not sure there are better words to describe the song. While the track is certainly downtempo, there is an emotional intensity to it as well. It draws you in.

The interesting thing about Little Death is, not only can it be intensely listened to, it can be excellent ambiance music and getting lost in I M U R‘s sound is easy. It is not boring by any stretch, it is just so comforting it envelops you. The sonic depth of Little Death is expansive and encompasses most of what you want in an album.

You can pick up Little Death by I M U R on March 24, 2017 via their website: HERE. - Lemonade Magazine

Vancouver based I M U R (I am you are) have a new single out off their upcoming album, Little Death (March 24th).

Swirl is a down-tempo song that’s got plenty of that sexy chill energy that I M U R have become known for.

From the band:
“Swirl is a deeply personal and vulnerable song about exploring love in it’s fluid and infinite nature. Quite suitably, the production is intimate and mesmerizing. It’s a psychedelic and swirling stereo downtempo experience, perfect for smoking or smooching.”

Find it on Spotify.

If you like this, check out their cover of B.I.G.’s Juicy, and their amazing video for FFL. - Cut From Steel

Playlist Feature - Drugs and Mirrors

Off of their forthcoming album, Little Death, which is due out on March 24th, “Swirl” from I M U R pairs soulful downtempo beats with direct introspective lyrics to deliver an intimate and deeply personal track about exploring the infinite fluidity of love. - Alan Cross

With the release of their 2015 debut EP Slow Dive, the Vancouver, BC experimental pop/electro pop trio I M U R — comprised of Jenny Lea (vocals, keys), Mikey J. Blige (live production, guitar) and Amine Bouzaher (electric violin, bass) received attention both across Vancouver’s underground scene and recently landed at number 5 on Spotify’s Global Viral charts, thanks in part to a sound that draws from 90s R&B, soul, electro pop and electronica, and experimental pop.

Building upon a growing profile, the band has played Shambhala Music Festival, World Ski and Snowboard Festival, Astral Harvest, Center of Gravity and Rifflandia and have received praise both nationally and internationally from the likes of Vice Noisey, Exclaim!, Hiphop Canada and Beatroute Magazine and the trio was listed as one of Vancouver’s Top Acts to watch out for in 2016 by Winniecooper.net.

The trio’s soon-to-be released full-length debut Little Death is slated to drop on March 24, 2017 and the album will thematically cement their commitment to material that explores and discusses drugs, booze, heartache, strength, vulnerability and intimacy with a fearless lack of inhibition. Interestingly. the album’s first single “FFL” consists of a sensual and sinuous production featuring shimmering arpeggio synth cascading at the listener, shuffling beats, blasts of flute, a distorted and chopped up vocal sample and an infectious ear worm of a hook paired with Lea’s sultry and soulful, jazz-like delivery expressing a weary regret, a wistful nostalgia over some interesting and naughty memories, a sense of confusion about a dysfunctional yet passionate relationship in which lust and love were constantly intwined. Throughout the song, its narrator mentions that they and their partner should have known better — and yet, they’re both hopelessly drawn to each other, and to a dysfunctional relationship full of soaring highs and crushing lows, fights and making up.

Written and directed by Kyle James-Patrick, the recently released video for “FFL” follows a series of similar dysfunctional relationships full of deceit, sex, drugs, booze and more sex. - Joy of Violent Movement

Song Feature - ThrdCoast

Vancouver based future-soul trio I M U R recently dropped the fresh new track “Swirl,” it is a deeply personal and vulnerable song about exploring love in it’s fluid and infinite nature. The track is a preview of what to expect from the bands full length album ‘Little Death,’ which will be out March 24th. They seek to blend strength with vulnerability and intimacy in the songs and often thematically touch on introspection, sex, substances, and heartache. Check out “Swirl” below. - GroundSounds

[Danish]
Hold øje med den canadiske trio I M U R, som netop har udgivet en ny soul-inspireret elektronisk single, “Swirl”.

I M U R (I am You are) er et elektronisk band bosat i det østlige Vancouver i Canada. De udgav deres debut-EP Slow Dive i 2015 og er klar med et nyt album den 24. marts i år, fra hvilket de i fredags udgav førstesinglen “Swirl”.

I M U R efterlader sig et ret godt førstehåndsindtryk med den nye single, som er helt nede i tempo og inspireret af 90’er hip-hop og R&B, ligesom det harmoniske lægger sig op ad en soul-tradition. Sangen handler om at udforske kærlighed i dens flydende og uendelige natur. “Swirl” er en forsmag på hvad man an forvente fra det kommende album Little Death, som forsøger at blande styrke med sårbarhed og intimitet. Temaerne, som pladen bearbejder, er sex, hjertesorg og selvrefleksion. - Band's of Tomorrow

I M U R (I am you are) has been creating an eclectic mix of electronic, 90’s hip-hop/R&B, experimental and soul music since June of 2015. In that time, they have made a serious mark on the music industry, receiving praise in Noisey, Exclaim!, Hiphop Canada and Beatroute Magazine (to name a few).

They were listed as one of Vancouver’s top acts to watch out for in 2016 by Winnie Cooper and and highlighted as “local stars” by the Georgia Straight. Backing up their reviews with rankings, their track “Trippin On Feet” landed the #5 spot on the Global Viral Billboard Chart.

In summary, good things are happening for I M U R as they get ready to celebrate the release of their second album “Little Death” on March 24th.

The Sea to Sky Connection

Years prior to creating musical magic, keyboarder, songwriter and vocalist Jenny Lea graced the Sea to Sky corridor with her presence, leaving a little piece of her heart in Whistler during her 6 years there.

Jenny has joined forces with Mikey J Blige and Amine Bouzaher to create I M U R (I am you are), a name which represents the idea of art as being indistinguishable from the audience – the creation of a collective consciousness.

Something about their music is mesmerizing. Their bio says it best: “Blending strength with vulnerability and intimacy without inhibition I M U R’s intoxicating songs touch on introspection, sex, substances, and heartache. Fitting, because their unique blend of electronic soul is both seductive and addicting.”

Music to Your Ears

For your listening pleasure, I M U R has curated a playlist just for us including their newest track “Swirl”.

What You Should Know About Jenny Lea & I M U R

We asked Jenny and I M U R to tell us a little more about their music, journey and Sea to Sky connection…

Julie: How long did you live in Whistler?

Jenny: I did one year of high school in Whistler, and then after graduating in Kelowna, moved back for 5 years.

Julie: Tell us about your Sea to Sky background – how has it shaped who you are and where you’re headed?

Jenny: When I lived in Whistler, I had a very different life than I do now. I worked for a bank, I owned an apartment, and I was in a relationship for almost a decade. I was very materialistically driven.

The positives of that lifestyle are that it showed me I had drive, and even though I didn’t know how to direct that ambition into my own happiness at that time, it gave me some much needed confidence in my abilities. Without the confidence and drive that I developed while living in the Sea to Sky, there is absolutely no way that I could wake up everyday and pursue my current goals.

In Whistler, you come across a lot of world travellers. I think that was what first inspired me to leave everything behind and go see the world. I took a fresh start with 2 years abroad, all the meanwhile learning cover songs on guitar, playing small pubs, and shortly after, writing my own songs.

Julie: Do you miss anything about life in Whistler?

Jenny: I miss the air and being so close to the mountains. Every single day that I lived there, I would count my blessings to wake up to such immense beauty. There’s a very strong connection I will always feel to Whistler.

Julie: How do you stay connected to the Sea to Sky?

Jenny: I keep in touch with old friends, and try to make it up when I can. Luckily, living in Vancouver, it’s not far. We were so happy to be able to play WSSF last spring, and we would love to play in town this Summer.

I M U R: Our live set incorporates a collaboration with Pacific Wild Conservation Society and visual artist Laine Butler. PWCS has provided breathtaking footage of Canada’s Pacific Coast and Great Bear Rainforest, which is artistically manipulated in real time by Laine. This provides a backdrop that is both visually engaging while encouraging critical thinking and conversation about environmental issues in the BC Coast Region. We donate a portion of proceeds from each performance the footage is used.

Julie: What should we know about I M U R?

I M U R: We dream big and we work hard. We feel strongly about community and collaboration over competition. We absolutely love what we do and are so grateful everyday that we are able to do it. We have global plans, this isn’t a one night stand. Hide yo kids, Hide yo wife.

Julie: What allows the three of you to be able to create amazing things together?

I M U R: The most important thing we share in common is that we are all very good at giving and receiving constructive criticism. We can all objectively look at our skills and abilities and adjust where needed, and don’t need to walk on eggshells when talking to each other. It means we don’t have to waste time ego-assuaging, and we can better spend that time creating something we’re all really proud of.

Aside from communication, we all love to have fun, laugh hard, work hard, and enjoy every bit of this journey. We’ve become so close over the past year. We are family, and we care deeply for one another.

We all come from different musical backgrounds, and enjoy listening to a wide variety of music. But we can always find a common thread, and I think that’s why our music encompasses something unique but at the same time comforting.

Julie: What are the easiest and hardest parts about being a musician?

I M U R: The easy parts usually revolve around private musical expression and the creative process. When you get in a room with good friends who are mutually talented, hard working, but easy going, things can progress pretty effortlessly.

The hardest part is the ever-changing business side of things. Having ease of access to an independent approach these days also results in an over-saturated market. You have to constantly stay ahead of the curve while also staying true to yourself.

Julie: Where is I M U R seeing the most success?

I M U R: Right now our biggest following is in the USA, followed closely by Canada and the UK.

Julie: What’s your personal fave I M U R track?

Jenny: My personal fav right now is “FFL”. I think the track is very relatable for my generation, and the production by Mikey is so on point!

Julie: What’s next for I M U R?

Jenny: After our “Little Death” album release end of March, we will be playing Seasons Festival in Vancouver, and then taking off for Montreal for a couple months. There, we will be focusing on writing and recording, and playing shows in Montreal and Toronto to expand our East Coast presence. We will be back end of June for festival season!

Julie: Who are your musical inspirations?

Jenny: Little Dragon, Bonobo, Potatohead People

Julie: Who are your real life inspirations?

Jenny: My mom, she works so hard but always finds time to play. She’s also a singer and performer and I can’t tell you how cool it is to connect on that level. I can come to her with anything, she’s never judgmental, only full of love and understanding. She encourages me to no end, and always has the most diplomatic advice.

Julie: If you could give folks one piece of life advice, what would it be?

Jenny: Pursue your passions, embrace vulnerability, and stay true to yourself. - Squamish.com

I M U R are a band from West Canada in the city of Vancouver, a city that I always associated with Ice Hockey back in the day I was playing NHL 2000 on the PS1. Their brand new track "Swirl" is just as ice cool as the city they reside in, maybe that had something to do with it. "Swirl" a psychedelic and downtempo experience, perfect for smoking, late evenings and (or) smooching to.

It's an addictive affair, that's for sure, head on below to listen to it. - It's All Indie

East Vancouver trio IMUR (I AM You Are) have shared a free stream of ‘Swirl’.

The track is taken from their forthcoming full-length Little Death.

“‘Swirl’ is a deeply personal and vulnerable song about exploring love in it’s fluid and infinite nature. Quite suitably, the production is intimate and mesmerizing. It’s a psychedelic and swirling stereo downtempo experience,” the band said in a statement. - Hanging at the Back

I M U R presented “Swirl” that draws the listener into the soft rhythm & blues narratives that connects levels of bonds & intimacy to some deep levels. Featured off the upcoming Little Death album available March 24; the track dazzles in sensuous & psychic ways with that after eight o’clock sentiment that lures you into the adventure of an amorous evening without a foreseeable end. - Impose Magazine

The latest single by Vancouver’s I M U R is a chilling touch of minimalism. As a reflection of that coming of age anxiety and insecurity, “Swirl” describes unconditional love as it finds its way through the secret chambers of the heart. A mellow beat sets the tone for intimacy and something about the vocals induces true goosebumps. Their full-length record Little Death is out March 24th. Listen below. - All Things Go

I M U R, Vancouver's music group combines the whole electronic, experimental, soul and hip-hop experience within their music. Members Jenny Lea, Mikey J Blige and Amine Bouzaher talk about their biggest obstacles, advice and their process for creating music.





Q: Describe how I M U R came together and the recent addition of Amine Bouzaher?



A: I M U R was initially created when Mikey J Blige and Jenny Lea wanted to experiment, and see if their two musical worlds could collide, to create a unique sound and a stand out live act. We begun with a little bit of cash that Jenny had been granted from Music BC's Emerging Artist Program. For Mikey, an inspiring surf, and production trip followed by the pressure of landing our first live show at Canada's most popular electronic music festival, Shambhala.



At the time when we first got together, Amine had just started Simple Machines, a solo live-looping act, which enticed us to invite him along our first tour in the summer of 2015. Amine was feeling inspired after seeing our set up with Abelton Live, and after tour, locked himself away for months learning the ins and outs. We had started to book larger shows and festivals and wanted to hire Amine as a session player to really 'wow' our audience. After our second tour together, and first collab track “Wayward," it was pretty evident that there was no turning back, and we had to have this amazing human in the group permanently.



Q: For people who don’t know- what does I M U R stand for?



A: I M U R (I am you are) represents the idea of art as indistinguishable from an audience. Without a context and an appropriate medium (of whatever modality), art falls on deaf ears. It’s like that proverb, “if a tree falls in a forest with no one to hear it, will a hipster buy its album?” Or something like that. The point is we realize how important our friends, family, and audience are and have incorporated that into our band name and our general outlook.



Q: Your music consists of a combination of electronic/experimental soul and hip hop- Do you think you have established a unique sound that differentiates you from other artists?



A: Absolutely. We have a unique mix of melodic, ambient and jazz influences and manage to mix that in with our more banger faves. Our live show is an especially good way to get a sense of that; the combination of RnB vocal hooks, instrumental arrangement, and thick sub offers up a welcome change from similar, wholly electronic music.



Q: What have been some of your biggest obstacles?



A: They have been varied, from the frustration of playing for big acts with little recognition/pay to dealing with Spotify/Soundcloud algorithms and practices. In a nutshell, the biggest obstacle has probably been navigating the world of music business, learning its ins and outs and learning to hone our business sense.


Q: I M U R reached over one million people through Spotify in the past year- how do you feel about this accomplishment and how will you continue to push this in 2017?



A: We feel a lot like Willy Wonka probably did after his first run at the chocolate factory, “holy smokes we made some quality stuff and people loved it, now we have to refine it, keep pushing and do it bigger."



Q: Can you talk about one particular performance, which you really enjoyed?



A: The Chapel Sound 4 year was a huge highlight, in large part because it marked an incredible period of artistic and personal collaboration with some of our Vancity faves. Chapel is a collective that we've been watching and listening to for years, and it felt so good to share the stage with so many incredibly talented locals, plus, it was a total banger.



Q: Your song “FFL” is featured in the Patagonia ad, which is incredible- what has it been like since releasing this song- have you had lots of positive feedback?



A: We’re all avid snowboarders so we were really pleased to collab with Patagonia! We have so many friends who ski, snowboard, mountain bike, etc, so our fan base is really familiar with them as well. Getting to work with them and seeing how well the song fit to images of deep backcountry pow turns was surreal, in the best way possible. The feedback we've been receiving has been extremely supportive. I think people are genuinely excited to see an eclectic sub-genre able to break through some mainstream barriers.



Q: Can you talk about the themes portrayed in your music video for “FFL”



A: “FFL” defies societal norms about monogamy and sexuality by flipping the traditional love triangle on its head. It’s usually either two horny, fratty dudes chasing a lady or two ditsy, love-lorn dudettes chasing an asshat of a bro. We wanted to keep it aesthetically engaging and, of course, sexy, but also challenge preconceived notions about what a certain sex is meant to behave like in a relationship. Throwing in the dynamic of 3 lovers of the same sex who are all entangled with one another also brings to mind questions about love, commitment and “freedom” in a relational and personal sense.



Q: What advice do you have for people wanting to pursue a career in music?



A: Learn to stop saying “let’s go out” and start saying “let’s go in…on this track." When you think you’re working hard, work harder. When you think you’ve made it, work harder. When you think you’re there, work your hardest. There are so many people grinding and none of us can expect to let so-called “talent” or media prominence speak for our skills, those are hard-earned and deeply engrained.


Q: Can you talk about any projects you have coming up for the New Year?



A: We have lots of exciting things coming up! We have an album coming out the end of March, which we are ecstatic about! Along with that, we have our release party, which for now is a secret location but we can tell you it's going to be quite an experience. We’re also gearing up for festival season and a trip to Montreal in the Spring to record a new album.



Q: You each have such a unique and significant role within I M U R as a whole- the vocals and keys by Jenny, the live production and electric guitar by Mikey and the Electric violin and bass by Amine. How do you 3 combine all your sounds to create a song? What is your process?



A: Our songs up until now have largely been a collaborative process between Jenny and Mikey. Mikey will formulate a beat and groove, using his guitar riffs or Jenny's keyboard playing/vocal loops to create a vibe from the ground up. Jenny will usually bang out vocal ideas in a heartbeat, and then the collaboration will begin. With Amine's inclusion in the band, we've begun incorporating his violin and bass into our newest, upcoming tracks, as well. In general, we share songs in progress, make notes, discuss, add and subtract individually, as a group as necessary, and take our time to bounce ideas off of those we respect musically.



Q: Who are each of your musical influences?



A: Oh snap there's a smorgasbord, but right off the bat here's some stuff we're currently (and always) listening to:
Bonobo
Little Dragon
Potatohead People
Ekali
NomBe
Mr. Carmack



Q: Do you have anything else you want your viewers to know about I M U R?



A: Yes! We have now begun a collaboration with Pacific Wild Conservation Society, and visual artist Laine Butler. Pacific Wild has provided breathtaking footage of Canada’s Pacific Coast and the Great Bear Rainforest, which is artistically manipulated in real time by Laine. This provides a backdrop to our performance that is visually engaging while encouraging critical thinking and conversation about environmental issues in the BC Coast Region. We've also started donating a portion of proceeds from each performance to Pacific Wild. - The Urban Hustle

I M U R - ‘Swirl’
Taken from the Vancouver-based future soul trio’s upcoming new album Little Death which is out March 24. - She Makes Music

When we have listened to Little Death, we were immediately struck by the vocals. The singer behind the seducing voice is Jenny Lea from the electronic trio I M U R. The band describes it’s sound as a mix of “90’s hip-hop/r&b, electronic, experimental, and soul” which “blends strength with vulnerability”. Little Death delivers exactly on that promise and we believe this song is a must in every electronic winter playlist. - The Curationist

“Nothing is better than listening to music stoned”

Jenny Lea and I are sitting in her East Vancouver home, doing just that. Jazzy, downtempo hip-hop emanates from vintage floor speakers as we smoke a joint and chat about her music career, growing up surrounded by musicians, quitting drinking, and the benefits of cannabis in creative pursuits.

Jenny Lea is a vocalist, one-third of the Vancouver future-soul band I M U R (pronounced “I Am You Are”). They’ve had a busy year going on tour and playing a number of festivals, recording and releasing a ton of new music, and adding a third member to what was originally a duo. Their second studio album “Little Death” is slated to be released sometime in the spring of 2017.

Throughout all this focused hard work and growth, Jenny says cannabis has been a positive part of her daily life.

“I use it to elevate my body and my mind,” she says, “and it really helps with creativity as well.”

As a songwriter, she says that smoking cannabis allows her to access parts of her own mind that allow ideas to flow more freely and help her writing process: “It helps me break free of ordinary thinking and associations.”

Although she’s only been writing music for the last three years, she’s already a strong lyricist and has a succinct and poetic style that belies her modest experience. Cannabis, in her words, “helps me tap into exaggerated emotions and altered perspectives, which is helpful when I’m writing music”.

And while she uses cannabis often in her musical life, whether it’s writing, jamming or recording in the studio, Jenny Lea wants to be clear about its role in her creative process: “I don’t think it gives me creativity. Creativity takes work and practice, but it’s a catalyst.”

Growing up in Kelowna and Whistler, Jenny was constantly exposed to the world of music. All four of the people who raised her are musicians (her parents separated and remarried early in her life). Her mom is a singer, her stepdad a sound engineer who also owns a music studio, and her dad and his partner are both music teachers.

At one time, she says, both her parents and stepparents were actually in a rock band together, but have since gone on to pursue other projects; “It was like some Canadian Fleetwood Mac shit,” she jokes.

I asked her about what it was like growing up surrounded by role models that were musicians. She responded, “There was always music playing around me...there was a lot of Beatles, Pink Floyd, Bob Marley, Tom Petty, Bowie that kind of stuff.” Music still plays a large role in her relationship her family. “You can’t listen to music with my mom, because if she knows the song, she can’t help but sing it...we’ll be in the car, full on singing harmonies together...it must be so annoying,” she jokes.

Although she’s a very positive person, Jenny’s lyrics contain a good deal of melancholy, and she is no stranger to adversity. After an accident about two years ago in which she was hit by an SUV while walking in Vancouver, Jenny has found cannabis to be an effective aid in her recovery process. The accident resulted in a major concussion, lacerations to the head, and soft tissue damage throughout her body.

Since then, she’s suffered from chronic and often intense pain, and she says cannabis has helped her with pain management. It has also been very effective in easing the psychological impact of the accident. “Since then,” she says, “I’ve suffered from a lot of anxiety, and I feel like cannabis has really helped a lot with that.”

Smoking a joint, she says, tends to quiet and focus her mind, allowing her to devote her energy to the task at hand without being preoccupied; “Sometimes the mind just needs to be slowed down...you’re able to tune out all those distractions and just focus.”

She’s partial to sativa strains, and during our conversation, we smoked about a half-gram of Jack Herer together.

Although she is a regular cannabis user, Jenny doesn’t see smoking pot as a vice, and is very conscious of what she puts into her body. She quit drinking about thirteen months ago, and says she’s happier and more productive. We talked about her decision to stop drinking alcohol, and the reasons she sees cannabis in such a different light.

“I’m puzzled why weed is looped in with drugs and alcohol,” she says, “I don’t think it’s similar in any way, other than [creating] an altered mind state. But if anything, weed gives me a quantum leap in terms of connection with my own consciousness, whereas booze and other substances tend to create a really strong disconnect.”

She says that drinking allowed her to avoid things she should be addressing, whereas smoking pot is a catalyst for introspection and positive change. “Alcohol for me was an escape,” she says, “A little vacation. If you have a bad day, have a glass of wine and try and forget about it. I don’t get to have that anymore, so the route that I’m choosing instead is to reflect, and create a better situation for myself.”

Whether it’s on stage performing, in the studio, or writing new music, Jenny Lea and the rest of I M U R have been working their asses off perfecting their craft, and their hard work is reflected in the music.

Their newest song, the title track from their upcoming album, is their most polished, artfully produced work to date. - Wealth Blog

Vancouver, BC – 2016 has been a successful year for Vancouver filled with numerous notable projects that have drawn a newly invigorated spotlight to the West Coast. With this growth and development of the scene, has emerged a select few who have lead the growing community of independent artists by producing quality projects and curating quality live performances as well. At the front of the pack are I M U R (I Am You Are) a hip-hop, soul, and electronic inspired duo coming out of East Vancouver which formed in late 2015. The duo is comprised of singer-songwriter Jenny Lea and producer Mikey J Blige, and well known for Lea’s beautiful croons strewn over reminiscent beats from Blige.

With a self-released debut EP Slow Dive, the duo are familiar with paving their own path in the somewhat challenging current music scene of Vancouver (and they’re making great videos to show how it can be pulled off effortlessly). You might have been able to catch one of their many performances this summer 16′ at events like WSSF, 420 Vancouver, Chapel Sound Fest, Revival Fest, Astral Harvest Fest, COG, Hiatus Fest, the Alexander, Biltmore, Imperial, or Fox. We recently had a chance to catch up with the duo to talk about their newest video release ‘FFL’ (fight fuck love), and everything they’ve been up to this year.

I M U R: Q&A

Interview conducted by Kira Hunston for HipHopCanada

HipHopCanada: You recently got back from playing a set at Rifflandia Music Festival in Victoria, how was that experience for you?

I M U R: Rifflandia was a very cool experience for us! We had an 8:30pm set time and have never played in Vic before, so we really didn’t expect much of a turn-out. To our surprise, by the second song in, the entire venue was packed with an extremely supportive crowd. People were even singing along! Also, getting to see Tennyson and J5 live was incredibly inspiring. Mikey and Amine even got to beatbox while Juju from Beatnuts freestyled in the greenroom. Is this going to be our lives now?

HipHopCanada: In terms of live performances, you’ve had a fully packed year of shows. What kind of approach did you both want to take heading into 2016 and what were some of your goals?

I M U R: Our goal for 2016 was to really hone in on our live set. Break everything down and make it super jammable. After playing 9 festivals this summer, and A LOT of local shows, we think we’ve accomplished that. We’ve added Amine Bouzaher aka Simple Machines to the band as our bassist/violinist and it’s been a very natural and incredibly beautiful process. Our set is now filled with improv and extensions and a shit ton of smiles because we’re having the best fucking time. We’re not stopping there though, we are currently in the works of making our sets even more complex, adding more equipment, and ways to blow your mind. You don’t come to an I M U R show, you cum at an I M U R show.

HipHopCanada: You’ve become a really prominent force in the community leading this revolution of independent artists paving their own way. What do you feel are some of the challenges that independent artists face on the West Coast?

I M U R: Damn… thank you! We think the biggest challenge we face as artists on the West Coast, is the cost of living. It’s very challenging to take the plunge into being a full time artist, without sacrificing vision and integrity, when rent and bills are sky-high. We’d also like to mention, the Vancouver cultural scene is a bit complicated. We find that our community is extremely supportive, and there’s a ton going on, but we’d be naive to think that describes Vancouver as a whole. The problem is, those communities and collectives only includes a small percentage of Vancouverites. It seems like most of Vancouver doesn’t care about what’s going on in Vancouver until it makes it’s way outside of Vancouver. It’s unfortunate, and we’re not sure how to change that, but we do know that there is no scene unless people create it. There’s some very hungry and driven communities right now doing their best to make it happen.

HipHopCanada: For audience members who are listening to your music for the first time, what’s something that you hope they take away from your music?

I M U R: For first time listeners, you will notice that we fall into more genres than the typical artist. Our sounds are constantly evolving and pulling from a myriad of influence. Our music is authentic and unique, and we hope our audience feels a deep connection to our lyrics and rhythms.

HipHopCanada: Your newest music video for “FFL (NSFW)” features many eloquently poised derrieres, and an emphasis on beautiful body forms. What was the process for the creation of the video, and where did the inspiration come from?

I M U R: We wanted to use a cinematic approach in the telling of a story about relationships in modern society. This story, in particular, confronts the ideals behind instant gratification for the ‘tinder generation’. Many relationships are formed on the idea that whoever is the most aloof, wins. Needs go unexpressed, there is a serious lack of communication, and inevitably, heartbreak ensues.

The seed was planted by Jenny in February, when working closely with our good friend writer/director/photographer Kyle James-Patrick. We pitched it for a MuchFact grant, but with no luck, we worked our tails off performing until we could self fund the video.

We intentionally wanted to make a provocative and thought provoking piece, purposely pushing boundaries. Did this video make you sad? uncomfortable? excited? We wanted the viewers to reach within and find out why that is and how it relates to their own life.

HipHopCanada: What kind of reactions have you received from the community about your newest release?

I M U R: The video has had a vast array of feedback. The three common of which are: 1) “Man, that hit me in all the feels, so beautifully made, and I can mad relate”, 2) “Buttttttssss!!”, 3) “This makes me feel uncomfortable and upset and here’s why…”. We feel the song itself is very relatable, ‘FFL’ stands for Fight, fuck, love. If you’ve ever been in a relationship, chances are you’ve experienced at least one of those.

HipHopCanada: What’s your writing process like?

I M U R: We don’t have a set writing process, per say. Each member tends to bring different ideas at different times that can spark influence in another. Sometimes it starts with a beat concept, sometimes it’s lyrics or a riff, and other times it’s made out of an improv during a jam session.

HipHopCanada: There are so many influences that listeners can take away from your music, but how do you describe yourselves as a group?

I M U R: Since we don’t like doing it, but people love a good box to put you in, we will use one of those genres that doesn’t really make sense and you’re not sure what it is, so we’re not held down to a certain style or sound. Let’s say future soul. To us that says: we got that 90’s hiphop/r&b, jazz roots, but we’ll take it and add some bounce fo dat ass and a pinch of psychedelic, cuz we know you crazy like us.

HipHopCanada: What kind of projects can listeners look forward to (and will they potentially include more butts)?

I M U R: We have some collabs coming out that we’re very excited about. Groundwerk will soon be releasing a remix EP which they held a contest for ‘FFL’. Other than that, we’re steady on the grind and have a ton of music in the vault, so you can expect a steady flow of tunes from us.

Our projects will always include at least 3 butts, because there’s 3 of us, and we all have butts. Hopefully it will include all of your butts too, we’re always down for more butts. You can email your butts to info@imurmusic.com anytime! - Hiphop Canada

VANCOUVER — I M U R (I Am You Are) had a successful summer on the festival circuit. From grassroots stages such as Revival, Hiatus, Chapel Sound Electronic Music Festival to larger ones like Centre of Gravity, Astral Harvest and Rifflandia, the Vancouver-based trio has been working hard to get their music out there. “We love performing live. We get to take our pieces and deconstruct them,” says vocalist Jenny Lea. “Mikey (J Blige) does live beat composition with electric guitar. Amine (Bouzaher), our new addition, plays bass and violin, and I do keys, looping and vocals. It’s fair to say that until you’ve heard us play live you won’t fully understand the music.”

I M U R’s music is a sexy concoction of electronic, jazz, hip hop and neo soul. Mikey’s hip hop and production background paired with Jenny’s soul-inspired vocals and deeply personal lyrics, blend seamlessly on their 2015 debut, Slow Dive.

The album covers themes related to being young and hopeful in a ruthless city — sexuality, drugs, alcohol, self-doubt and self-discovery.

“It was written about a dark period in my life during which I went through some pretty big changes. But everything that came out of it was positive,” she explains. “To express myself and tell those stories was a cathartic experience. Every time I get to perform those songs I get to feel the same emotions again but from a different perspective.”

I M U R are products of the vibrant East Van electronic music scene. The band has found support in the community’s crews and collectives, including the Chapel Sound Crew and Groundwerk Collective. The group already have tracks lined up for their next album and bagged a host of cool shows around town for the remainder of the year. “The newer sound is a lot bouncier. Maybe because lyrically we’ve been able to be more positive!” confesses Jenny, “But we want to keep it as unique and true to ourselves as possible.” - Beatroute BC

Vancouver duo I M U R hears beat composer Mikey J Blige and singer-songwriter Jenny Lea crafting tunes together, and they're ready to unveil the brand new video for "FFL."

The track toes the line between breezy and brooding, blending breathy vocals and a electro-tinged beat. The video itself isn't particularly safe for work, as it documents the bedroom drama between an increasingly complicated love triangle.

"Our debut music video tackles the ethics of promiscuity between three women, and the complications that inevitably ensue," the band tells Exclaim! "This NSFW video showcases sexual autonomy, love, and the understanding of relationships in modern society." - Exclaim!

Vancouver's I M U R–yes, that's how it supposed to be formatted–are among the many iterations of R&B-influenced synthpop duos currently cropping up everywhere. The main difference is that these guys are pretty good at what they do and have some actual nuance and shading to their production and performances. The false starts at the beginning of "FFL" mirror someone hesitating to bring up an uncomfortable issue in a conversation, but vocalist Jenny Lea is measured and calm as she coolly assesses the damaged relationship she's in. "We should know better," she sings as a mantra. While the chorus literally spells out the title, I M U R chooses to let the song wander into an extended groove of chirpy vocal samples and bent 808s before arriving at the final hook, no more resolved than before. Listen to "FFL" below. - Noisey/Vice

#5 Spotify Global Viral - Billboard

Inherent in the designation 'future soul' is the notion of an unburdening of preconceptions; for those willing to embrace the sensibility, it frees the creative urges to explore the unlimited artistic latitudes and longitudes that exist beyond the horizon of the musical mind's eye. East Vancouver duo IMUR - Jenny Lea (vocals/keys) and Mikey J Blige (live production/electric guitar) - have not only embraced the notion, they have run with it to the point that in an instant the listener will be irresistibly drawn into the orbit of their creative star.

Drawing on electronic, hip-hop, jazz, neo-soul and progressive pop influences to build soundscapes that engage and enchant with intricately purposeful construction and a wondrously hypnotic aural magnetism, Blige provides the evocative sonic templates through which Lea threads the complementary emotional hues of her nonchalantly smoky, sultry vocal. Encompassing everything from bumpy percussion, glitchy shimmers and ruminative guitar licks through to lush key splashes, skittering high hats and wobbly synth flourishes, IMUR's signature sound is as eclectically fascinating as it is hauntingly resonant.

Effortlessly harnessing the emotive interplay between instrumentation and vocals, the duo display an intuitive understanding of how tone and texture can evince a myriad of thoughts and feelings: from the desolate heartbreak, emotionally bruising self-recrimination and regretfully reflective melancholy of last year's debut 'Slow Dive' EP, through to the warmer, nod-your-head-grooves of more recent releases, as IMUR Blige and Lea prove with their genre-defying creativity that their vision for the 'future' is one that is here to stay. - Next2Shine

I M U R is the sonic marriage of Mike Jensen (a.k.a. Mikey J Blige) and Jenny Lea; Jensen produces downtempo hip-hop inspired electronica, while Lea is a vocalist steeped in soul, jazz, and blues. Her voice is sultry and soothing, but more evocative of whiskey than honey, and his production and occasional live instrumentation manages to compliment rather than overpower her.

Around 9:30 on a Saturday evening at The Biltmore, I M U R and their opening acts had managed to draw an impressive crowd, particularly considering Vancouver’s reputation for showing up late. This reviewer was guilty of that very vice on this particular evening, missing the opening acts and arriving just in time for I M U R’s first song, a cover of Notorious B.I.G’s “Juicy,” repackaged as a soul anthem. They then broke into their original material, the production reminiscent of Shlohmo or Toro Y Moi. Mikey J’s shoulder length hair perpetually covered his face, head bobbing as he fiddled with mixing knobs and occasionally accompanied Lea on guitar. Meanwhile, Lea sang mournfully and earnestly about heartbreak and substance abuse, occasionally flashing a shy but charismatic grin at the audience. Neither seemed entirely comfortable onstage, but both were clearly very happy to be there. During breaks between songs, Lea thanked the crowd frequently and made occasional apologies for unrehearsed new material. It seemed that there were quite a lot of the duo’s friends and family making up the sizable crowd, the audience members were unequivocally enthusiastic about the performance, a fact that the performers were equally gracious for. Despite some of the darker subject matters covered in their lyrics, this was an unmistakably feel-good performance.

This duo seems on the cusp of a successful exploration into this sound, and this reviewer looks forward to seeing what they continue to put out. If their confidence and stage presence can catch up to their talent, chemistry, and the commitment of their fans, this project can only get better with time. - Beatroute

Today we'd like to recommend another interesting discovery. Recently Canadian Future Soul duo, I M U R, burst onto our radar with their compelling sound.

Consisting of lead vocalist/keyboardist Jenny Lea, and producer/musician Mikey J Blige, the Vancouver based duo earned Scratchtheblock attention showing a penchant for elements of soul, jazz, hip-hop, and electronic all mixed into a stew of terribly soulful music.

To get familiar with I M U R, we serve you up the brilliant nut called "JUICY".

Oh yes, I M U R resume the hip-hop milestone produced by Poke and P. Diddy, and performed by Notorious BIG and included on his debut classic Ready To Die, to record a revisitation that sounds so fucking smooth. The hypnotic, mellow, and seductive textures cooked up by Mikey evokes the brilliant Tom Misch touch and represents a comfortable landscape that is both functional and suitable for Jenny's sultry vocal skills. - Scratchtheblock

The talent in this city is immense, and we are happily discovering tracks and artists to add on our playlists daily.

Today’s Music Monday features I M U R (I am you are), who deliver a beautiful track to complete your long weekend – or any day really. The local East Van duo combines Jenny Lea’s smooth vocals (and keys and loops) with Mikey J Blige’s beats and electric guitar, resulting in a sexy electronic melody. Bordering a fresh blend of electronic and R&B, their latest release Lay Me Down is layered with textures and elegance. I M U R released their debut EP Slow Dive in August of 2015, and have hit several stages locally and at Shambhala Music Festival. Their LP is scheduled for release this summer. - Vancity Buzz

(FULL INTERVIEW AT LINK)
Vancouver locals Jenny Lea and Mikey J Blige make up the duo I M U R, a fresh, passionate group whose sound can only be described by one term: sexy.

Jenny Lea provides a smoky flavor on vocals and Mikey J Blige on live beat composition and electric guitar adds a modern, urban quality. These two have been producing a sound we crave, blending influences from just about every genre.

Lately, Mike and Jenny have been working diligently on releasing a single every month! This month’s Lay Me Down, builds up from a powerful acapella harmony towards a warm R&B/future/electronic sound that we’ve seen consistently from I M U R. The group describes it as “perfect for the lovers out there” and we couldn’t agree more. After all, February is the month of all things romantic. The track is smooth, sensual, and groovy. To celebrate the release of Lay Me Down, we sat down with I M U R to talk about their new track, their lives, and most importantly, their music. - Loving The Vibe

**PREMIERE** // I M U R is back with their new single The Cut that will not disappoint! Fresh off of their Slow Dive EP and the duo has already stepped up both their production value and energy. SELECTA ABEL was brought on the scratch the track up and add a little icing to this 3 tier cake they had created. Over the next few months I M U R will be releasing a single a month in preparation for their upcoming LP which is set to surface sometime this spring! We also got an exclusive interview with the band below for your viewing pleasure- sit back, relax, and follow this guys on soundcloud!

1. Where were you guys when you decided on the name I M U R

M: I honestly can’t remember the location, but I know that we were tits deep into our first EP while booking shows at the same time. It was like, “Shit, we need a name, like last month.” So we started brainstorming as hard as we could. Jenny found a book called I Am You Are Me, and we thought it fit really well, so we took that and turned it into I M U R. People ask us all the time what the hell it means, and how you pronounce it. It has a well defined meaning to us, but now that it’s out in the world, it’s meaning is open to interpretation, and I think that’s what’s cool about it. It is pronounced “I am you are” though haha.

2. We know you guys did a tour earlier this year, which stop was the most memorable?

J: we organized a tour within a month of forming. We titled it the Smokanagan Tour, as the Okanagan was smokey af from all the wild-fires, and we were blazing, it was appropriate. Best stop for me was Shambhala hands down. Disneyland for adults, if you will.

M: Ya Shambhala for sure! It was both of our first time attending the festival, so being able to perform at the same time was mind blowing. We got to hang out with so many artists that I’ve looked up to for ages. Being able to share the Amphitheatre stage with Mr. Carmack and Ekali was a dream come true. I may have shed a tear…

3. What’s going to make your upcoming LP different from Slow Dive?

J: With the upcoming LP, I think we have more insight as to what kind of sound and mood we want to direct. Because we have more time than we had with Slow Dive (which was done in under two months) we are paying more mindfulness to details and intentions.

M: We’re going higher energy on a lot of the new tracks! I’m really conscious about the influences I’m choosing for this record, and it’s helping a lot. We also made a hefty upgrade to our recording setup, so that’s enabling me to produce music of a much higher quality. We are really happy with how things are turning out.

4. If you guys could be re-incarnated as any 90’s/early 2000s pop group who would you guys be?

J: From a lyrical and image standpoint, I’d have to say Salt N Peppa. Very Necessary was the first CD I ever bought. Although I was very young, it was the music of my feminist awakening. Their demand for sexual autonomy, while demonstrating a strong sense of self was so empowering, plus, OMG they were so hawt! "Shoop" is my go-to karaoke track.

M: Probably D-Child or TLC, kind of funny that neither of us would choose a male 90’s pop group. But the females were the ones using hip-hop in their production, so I was drawn to it.

5. If you guys had to sell out and do a jingle for a condiment brand which would it be and why?

J: Some maple syrup company so that we could get payed in maple syrup and just dump it all over chick’s butts like we dgaf.

M: Ohhh ya, just have a good ‘ol Canadian rock star party ya kno? - Yuuung

Duo I M U R consisting of Jenny Lea & Mikey J Blige released their debut EP Slow Dive which was a lyrically raw electronic R&B ride that has us coming back for more. They’ll be releasing a single a month with their debut full length album out in summer 2016. - Winnie Cooper

I M U R (I am you are) the electro-soul based duo from East Vancouver made out of Jenny Lea and Mikey J Blige team up with Tee Krispil to bring in the good vibes for the new year.

Their latest offering is the smooth ladened “Blue Dream”. The track touches on how we need to heal our conscious and the benefits that marijuana can have to help ourselves if we use it in a positive way. Tee Krispil (below) had a nice pocket in this one, she flows over the production while opening up about how she smokes one every day to bring inner peace and stay stress-free. Smoking has taught Tee to love herself, confidence and to write music which has brought her value to look forward to what the future brings. Also, she sees how she was meant to be; living peacefully and in harmony with herself, she has learned to balance out smoking and doesn’t use it to escape reality like others tend to do.

This track is the second of the 6 monthly releases that I M U R has posted to keep fans hyped for their forthcoming debut LP, which will be released in the summer of 2016.

Blue Dream is a really catchy record and all around good vibes, so check it out! - Omit Limitation

(FULL ARTICLE AND INTERVIEW AT LINK)
For the singer/songwriter & producer duo I M U R, emerging at such a quick pace; you would have to mistake their sound would be coming from a 10 year bourbon. It’s aged in a fine oak barrel, and in some cabins cellar nested in the woods. But once you take a few sips, you realize its a smooth full bodied cocktail stirred with aged jazz roots, rich soul vocals, vibrant synths, and 2 ice cubes of hip-hop influence to keep it chill.

Like most artists, you first meet them through their bodies of work; and in this case, their music. Hearing the first releases from Slow Dive, and catching newer singles from Blue Dream and their live Juicy cover. I knew these two were delivering something special, with a unique progressive flow that makes you wish they had 5 years worth of back catalog to dig into..... - Big Trouble Society

URL above - Scratchtheblock

I M U R is the sonic marriage of Mike Jensen (a.k.a. Mikey J Blige) and Jenny Lea; Jensen produces downtempo hip-hop inspired electronica, while Lea is a vocalist steeped in soul, jazz, and blues. Her voice is sultry and soothing, but more evocative of whiskey than honey, and his production and occasional live instrumentation manages to compliment rather than overpower her.

Around 9:30 on a Saturday evening at The Biltmore, I M U R and their opening acts had managed to draw an impressive crowd, particularly considering Vancouver’s reputation for showing up late. This reviewer was guilty of that very vice on this particular evening, missing the opening acts and arriving just in time for I M U R’s first song, a cover of Notorious B.I.G’s “Juicy,” repackaged as a soul anthem. They then broke into their original material, the production reminiscent of Shlohmo or Toro Y Moi. Mikey J’s shoulder length hair perpetually covered his face, head bobbing as he fiddled with mixing knobs and occasionally accompanied Lea on guitar. Meanwhile, Lea sang mournfully and earnestly about heartbreak and substance abuse, occasionally flashing a shy but charismatic grin at the audience. Neither seemed entirely comfortable onstage, but both were clearly very happy to be there. During breaks between songs, Lea thanked the crowd frequently and made occasional apologies for unrehearsed new material. It seemed that there were quite a lot of the duo’s friends and family making up the sizable crowd, the audience members were unequivocally enthusiastic about the performance, a fact that the performers were equally gracious for. Despite some of the darker subject matters covered in their lyrics, this was an unmistakably feel-good performance.

This duo seems on the cusp of a successful exploration into this sound, and this reviewer looks forward to seeing what they continue to put out. If their confidence and stage presence can catch up to their talent, chemistry, and the commitment of their fans, this project can only get better with time. - Beatroute Magazine

Inherent in the designation 'future soul' is the notion of an unburdening of preconceptions; for those willing to embrace the sensibility, it frees the creative urges to explore the unlimited artistic latitudes and longitudes that exist beyond the horizon of the musical mind's eye. East Vancouver duo I M U R - Jenny Lea (vocals/keys) and Mikey J Blige (live production/electric guitar) - have not only embraced the notion, they have run with it to the point that in an instant the listener will be irresistibly drawn into the orbit of their creative star.

Drawing on electronic, hip-hop, jazz, neo-soul and progressive pop influences to build soundscapes that engage and enchant with intricately purposeful construction and a wondrously hypnotic aural magnetism, Blige provides the evocative sonic templates through which Lea threads the complementary emotional hues of her nonchalantly smoky, sultry vocal. Encompassing everything from bumpy percussion, glitchy shimmers and ruminative guitar licks through to lush key splashes, skittering high hats and wobbly synth flourishes, I M U R's signature sound is as eclectically fascinating as it is hauntingly resonant.

Effortlessly harnessing the emotive interplay between instrumentation and vocals, the duo display an intuitive understanding of how tone and texture can evince a myriad of thoughts and feelings: from the desolate heartbreak, emotionally bruising self-recrimination and regretfully reflective melancholy of last year's debut 'Slow Dive' EP, through to the warmer, nod-your-head-grooves of more recent releases, as I M U R Blige and Lea prove with their genre-defying creativity that their vision for the 'future' is one that is here to stay. - Next2Shine

Song Feature - All, Everyone

"Swirl" is the perfect name for the latest single from Vancouver's I M U R, because as soon as you hit play, the soulful, sensual song swirls around you like an embrace.

It's off their album Little Death, which will be out March 24th, and celebrated by their album release show this weekend, the 18th, at Celebrities. - 3AM Revelations

Going Solo “Everyday tons of emails reach wearegoingsolo@gmail.com (keep ’em going!). Every week we would like to cover at least 3/4 of…”

Grayowl Point “Sarah Feldman (Photo: Shannon Stew) Sarah Feldman – “Embracing​/​Accepting” With every new listen of Sarah Feldman’s “Embracing​/​Accepting,” a different part…” Posted 3 days ago →

3am Revelations “"Swirl" is the perfect name for the latest single from Vancouver's I M U R, because as soon as you…” - HypeMachine

First introduction to Vancity’s I M U R via their new single “Swirl”.

Swirl is a deeply personal and vulnerable song about exploring love in it’s fluid and infinite nature. Quite suitably, the production is intimate and mesmerizing. It’s a psychedelic and swirling stereo downtempo experience, perfect for smoking or smooching. - City On My Back

Calgary, AB – HipHopCanada joined Spotify in 2016 and we’ve been releasing a new playlist with two hours of music every single week.

Each Friday we’ll hit you with a Canadian urban music playlist curated by our Associate Editor In Chief, Sarah Jay. Every week Sarah will be putting together a 38-track weekly selection of new releases, classic favourites, throwbacks, and songs she’s playing heavy on rotation.

This week’s playlist includes a bunch of new tunes including Derin Falana’s just-released new single “Cruising”, BadBadNotGood’s Snoop Dogg assisted Nightfall Remix of “Lavender”, Mega Ran’s Biggie homage track “Lyrically” (which was produced by T.O.’s own Fresh Kils), Hmlt’s “Bathe”, Jydn’s “Proof”, Napalm Dreams’ “Wavy”, Mutari’s “Switch Up”, NAV’s “Sleep”, Allan Rayman’s “Head Over Heels”, Emay’s “Lilac”, Jimmy Prime’s Donnie and Smoke Dawg assisted “Humana”, I M U R’s “Swirl”, Keffaleng’s Amir Obe assisted “Yeah Yeah”, DBLCRSS’ “The Abyss”, and Goldlink’s Kaytranada produced “Meditation”.

Check out the playlist and tracklist for Sarah Jay’s Weekly Picks Vol. 24 below, and make sure you go follow us on Spotify. - Hip Hop Canada

I M U R – “Swirl”

With “Swirl” I M U R (I am you are) conjures up an emotive tune perfect to underscore high school insecurities and awakening attraction. Immediately reminiscent of early Little Dragon you’ll want to listen to these dreamy beats twice x 100. Stay tuned for their new album Little Death out March 24! - Idobi.com

Going Inbox #132
by Mattia Villa
Everyday tons of emails reach wearegoingsolo@gmail.com (keep ’em going!). Every week we would like to cover at least 3/4 of the awesome music we get there, but, even at our most productive, we still can’t. So, we decided to start a new regular column that will feature the best tracks we received by email but we haven’t had the chance to feature during the week. Enjoy.

Name: I M U R
From: Vancouver, Canada
Genre: downtempo/minima electronic
For fans of: Odesza - Going Solo