IAMX

IAMX
IAMX during the concert in Warsaw promoting the album "Alive In New Light".
IAMX during the concert in Warsaw promoting the album "Alive In New Light".
Background information
OriginLondon, England
Genres
Years active2002–present
LabelsMajor Records, 61seconds, Fiction/NoCarbon/Genepool, Metropolis, Orphic, Caroline Distribution, Unfall Productions
MembersChris Corner
WebsiteIAMXmusic.com

IAMX is the solo musical project of Chris Corner founded in 2002 in London, England after the hiatus of his former band Sneaker Pimps.[1] It is an independent music project with a secondary focus on the experimentation of visual art.[2]

Musically, IAMX spans across multiple genres. Ranging from electronic rock and dance music, to burlesque-influenced dark cabaret and emotional ballads. So it is Corner's striking and wide-ranging voice, his methodical way of programming sounds and beats, and complex production style that make up the obvious characteristic of the IAMX discography.[3]

To date, IAMX has released eight studio albums, two remix albums, two experimental albums, two live albums, and one acoustic rework album[4] all of which have been released independently and were written and produced solely by Corner with the exception of the fifth studio album The Unified Field, which was co-produced by Jim Abbiss, the experimental album Unfall which also features co-production and co-writing by Abbiss, and the acoustic album Echo Echo, which was co-produced by David Bottrill. Two more studio albums have been announced for release in the Northern Hemisphere Spring and Autumn of 2023.[5]

From 2006 until 2014,[6] IAMX was based in Berlin, Germany where Corner found "the spirit to care less about the music industry and take an independent route."[2] Berlin became a large influence on IAMX's lyrics and sound. Inspiring subjects such as death, love, addiction, narcotic intoxication, and decadence. As well as the critique of religion, modern society, and politics, alienation, and the exploration of sexual identity and gender expression. With the topic of gender identity further emphasised by Corner's own distinctive and androgynous image both on and off stage.[7]

It was during this time that IAMX became known for their highly energetic and theatrical live performances. With unusual stage outfits and body painting becoming core elements of IAMX shows.[8] The visual art element of the project was also brought to fruition during this time. Intricate stage designs consisting of art and props, constructed by Corner and his live band members, were used alongside projections at their live shows.

The official IAMX music videos[9] also started to be directed, filmed, and edited by Corner. With him later saying, "I adore video. There’s so much scope that music and visual together can achieve. I’ve always painted with sound and had strong images in my head when I made music, so moving into video was natural."[10] Both the projections and music videos can contain strong and controversial content. This content is often explicit or is hidden as Easter eggs for fans to discover and in order to bypass censorship from various social media platforms.

In 2014,[11] after battling chronic insomnia and depression,[12] IAMX left Berlin and moved to California, stating: "I needed a big change of scenery. I had a few friends in Los Angeles and it seemed like the most relevant place for me, so I got on a boat and sailed over to the States."[13] He now lives and works at Silent Valley Studios in Southern California.[14]

  1. ^ "news". 12 August 2003. Archived from the original on 12 August 2003. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  2. ^ a b "CatOnTheWall.net: IAMX Interview". Blog.catonthewall.net. 11 May 2008. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
  3. ^ "DarkTwinCities: IAMX - Kingdom of Welcome Addiction review by Christopher Roddy". darktwincities.com. 10 April 2008. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 13 May 2012.
  4. ^ "Music & Lyrics". IAMX. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  5. ^ IAMX - Two New Albums in 2023, retrieved 25 February 2023
  6. ^ staff, E. X. B. (11 April 2011). "Chris Corner: Y IAMX". Exberliner. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  7. ^ "Front & Centre: IAMX @ Heaven London 13/10/2011". i-conoclastic.co.uk. 13 October 2011. Archived from the original on 21 November 2015. Retrieved 13 May 2012.
  8. ^ "Sentimentalist Magazine Review: IAMX, Music Hall of Williamsburg, 10.16.07". sentimentalistmag.com. 5 November 2007. Archived from the original on 3 April 2015. Retrieved 13 May 2012.
  9. ^ "Official IAMX Music Videos - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  10. ^ Manor, Rue Morgue (4 October 2017). "Little Deaths: Chris Corner of IAMX and Unfall submits to our Sinister Seven Q&A". Rue Morgue. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  11. ^ "I⃞ A⃞ M⃞ X⃞ on Instagram: "I got on a boat and I'm sailing to America.X"". Instagram. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  12. ^ IAMX (30 April 2014). "Insomnia Schizophonica". IAMX. Archived from the original on 11 October 2015. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  13. ^ "Ex-Sneaker Pimp Chris Corner talks about his trip-hop past, IAMX present". Twin Cities. 15 October 2015. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  14. ^ "IAMX on Twitter". Twitter. 20 January 2021. Retrieved 25 February 2023.