Meet Isabél Murgelas, better known as I.M the artist- a Swedish born singer-songwriter who is about to completely captivate you with her songwriting prowess and down-to-earth vibe.

A 23-year-old who aims to keep their music honest and relatable, I.M found herself enthralled by the entertainment industry at a young age. From film and dance to her now main passion, music, the singer dedicated all available time as a teenager to seeking out new creative outlets to express herself. In 2013 this love of the arts and creativity led her to Arts Educational Schools London, where she would eventually go on to graduate with a degree in acting along with studying music and psychology.

After graduation and focusing more time on music, I.M found themselves being signed to Safro Music Group in 2018, the same label they would later release their debut EP “Self-Made” on around a year later.

Now, with that release under her belt, in addition to a degree in art and the same passion for music as ever before, I.M is once more making waves with the release of her new single “Bleeding Blue.”

Released at the end of last month, “Bleeding Blue” is an anthem about standing up for and accepting yourself, regardless of what other people may do or say.

And now, fresh off the heels of this single, we had the chance to chat with I.M about all things “Bleeding Blue,” her career goals, and what helps inspire her.

You can read our full interview below, and be sure to connect with her via her social media, linked at the bottom.

Second Society Report: Thank you for taking the time to chat with us. To start, I just want to check in and see how you are doing amidst the insanity that is 2020?

I.M the Artist: Thank you for having me! Whewww 2020 is definitely turning out to be one for the books. Amidst the madness, I’m grateful to have had the chance to slow down, to reflect and take this pause. There’s good days and bad days, you know? The stillness can bring up a lot, especially in such uncertain times when we’re so worried for our health & safety and our loved ones, but it’s felt reflective – it’s felt like an opportunity to listen in and learn. 

This year has definitely reinforced a sense of presence and gratitude. My heart breaks for those who are suffering, and have suffered, whether from this virus or ongoing systemic racism & abuse of power or the harsh effects of climate change. It’s heavy, real shit. As tough as it’s been, a lot of necessary and important conversations are coming to the surface, and I’m here for it. It feels like an “enough is enough” year, and I hope our new “normal,” once the dust settles, is one that truly progresses our society. 

SSR: On July 30th you released your track “Bleeding Blue,” which if I am understanding correctly is your first single of 2020. How are you feeling about having this new track out in the world? How has the response been so far? 

I.M: I’m excited! I initially planned to release music in the springtime but obviously the world came to a halt, so I’m happy I was finally able to get things lined up. The response has been great so far. This new track is a shift. In some ways, I’m in a new pocket now compared to the sounds that came out of my debut EP, but at the core, the elements are the same. It’s still lyrically honest and instrumentally colourful. I don’t plan on sticking to one thing, so I’m glad that my listeners get that. 

What does the term “bleeding blue” mean to you and why did you choose that title for this track? 

I.M: The colour blue just feels really melancholic and vulnerable to me. But there’s power in it too – it runs really deep. With the title, I wanted to convey this feeling of “you can take the life out of me, but I’d still bleed for you.” In a metaphorical sense, it plays on this visual that I had in my head of how our skin appears to tint blue when we’re cold, lifeless… out of touch with our souls. 

SSR: The song discusses the difficulty of trying to remain loyal and supportive to friends who may not be as willing to back you up – despite your loyalty. What advice do you have for fans who are struggling to put themselves first or escape toxic relationships? 

I.M: I think it ultimately comes down to knowing your worth – what you will and won’t stand for & put up with. You can’t allow yourself to become a punching bag, and removing yourself from a toxic situation doesn’t make you selfish. Your feelings are valid, and you deserve to be surrounded by support and respect. 

Honestly, I’m no expert… it’s a lot easier to write about, and my best friend always has to remind me that I’m not asking for too much. That being said, sometimes relationships just fall apart – we change, we grow – and that’s okay too. So, we can let go without feeling resentment. At some point, you just have to do what you need to do to protect your energy. 

Now for a bit of I.M the artist history… In November of 2019 you released your debut EP “Self-Made” which features brutally honest tracks such as “Therapy” and the snarky title track “Self-Made.” What was your biggest source of inspiration when writing this EP?

I.M: I started working on that project when I was around 20/21 years old, so it was mostly just inspired by my late teens and my experiences as a creative. I wanted to produce something that I could be proud of – something that felt real and raw to me. So, I just wrote about how I felt at the time. Being an artist can feel frustrating, especially when you’re alone in it – no contacts, no investments, no free tickets or shortcuts. You have to just hustle and root for yourself constantly. 

SSR: What have you learned either about the process of releasing music or about yourself in the months since the EP’s debut?

I.M: To have more trust in my journey. Sometimes the creativity comes pouring, and other times it’s a slow stream – I’ve been learning to lean into that more, and not force what isn’t meant to be. 

When you are writing new music, what is the most important part of a track to you? (Alternatively, what usually comes first – the music or the lyrics?)

I.M: Everything starts with words. I’ve always seen my songs as being melodic poems. The whole skeletal structure of my work is the lyrics, and from there I build it up musically – usually starting with piano or guitar and then playing around with old school drum sounds and cool samples. I create from an emotional place, because more than anything I want my music to be felt. 

Out of all of the singles you have put out so far – which would you suggest readers check out first to get the best sense of what I.M the artist sounds like?

I.M: Damn, this is a tough one. With each project, I’m trying to find new creative directions to travel in… so I think the answer to this question will be forever changing, and get increasingly harder as I progress in my career. Currently, I’d say it’s a toss up between “Self-Made” and “Real Talk.”

What other current (or past) artists inspire you?

I.M: Frank Ocean is a massive inspiration to me. Then there’s J. Cole, Alicia Keys, Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Mac Miller, Childish Gambino, Jhené Aiko, Beyoncé. The list is endless. There are so many artists out there who have helped shape me, not only as a creative, but as a fan and listener. 

Lastly, if you could curate your own dream tour featuring 2-3 other musicians, who would you want to tour with and why? 

I.M: I mean, any of the above. That’d be one hell of a festival line-up… so if we’re talking DREAM tour, I have to say Frank Ocean and Kendrick Lamar again. I’m obsessed with their music, and both of them just captivate their audiences in such an incredible way – their energy is off the charts. I’ve seen them both live and it felt otherworldly. It’d be so fucking epic. (brb manifesting it) 

Anything we haven’t asked that you’d like to share?

I.M: Just thank you for these awesome questions! I’m working on some new music right now, which I’m hoping to release towards the end of the year, so keep your ears to the ground, and follow me on my socials to stay in the loop. In the meantime, go listen to “Bleeding Blue” y’all!!!! 

You can catch I.M the Artist now via her social media pages, and be sure to stream “Bleeding Blue” out now.Instagram / Twitter / Spotify / YouTube