Next up in our BIGSOUND series is Jimi The Kween, known for her high energy performances we were keen to hear about the inspo’s behind Jimi The Kween, what to expect from her performance and exactly what she thinks creates a safe queer space!
For anyone hoping to catch you at Big Sound that maybe doesn’t know too much about you can you tell us the story of Jimi The Kween in a few sentences?
Hi Suzie! Jimi TK was born and lives in club culture. Not only in the centre of the dance floor, but behind the decks, hosting the door, producing the night & most importantly, on the stage. My show is centred around living in an alternate fantasy and you’re invited to be whoever you want to be. 😉
And can you share a few of your musical influences or inspirations?
So many haha! I have a mixtape coming out end of September with a few key influences who have shaped me for sure! Lets says its a delicious soup of Kim Petras, Raye, Tame Impala & 2Charmm.
You’ve spoken in the past about the lack of queer representation you saw growing up, and now you get to be a part of that representation for future generations. Can you share a little about what that means to you?
When I was growing up I didn’t have anybody that reflected me or who I wanted to be in music and this led to a lonnnnng journey of feeling alone and isolated. To be able to show the world you can be whoever you want to be, you can even create your own fantasy if you wanna be somebody else sometimes make me feel so hopeful for the future generations. It drives me to keep going and that there is a bigger picture here than just releasing music.
I champion as many queer artists as I can on my website, and as I result I often get asked about creating safe queer spaces. I don’t think I have all the answers for this, and I don’t expect you to either, but can you talk about what safe queer spaces look like for you (either those you’ve created yourself or ones you’ve experienced)?
Firstly, legendary and thank you for championing us! 🙂 Queer safe spaces are somewhere that a person feels celebrated, supported and allowed to dance, scream along to the music as loud as they can and present themselves however they choose. Queer people are constantly conditioning themselves to blend in so they aren’t a target, we just want to live our lives peacefully. But when get to a club or a show that allows us to be fulllllly safe – there is so much magic and joy in the air and for that short amount of time we get to just be.
And on that note, can you tell me a bit about how it feels to be the first artist signed to POOF DOOF records?
Iconic to be honest!!! Haha! Poof Doof and I have a lonnnnng history and so to go to this next step with the brand and build my music with Poof Doof as a backer is a huge honor. I have so much planned with my mixtape coming out + remix packages so by Poof Doof being more than just the label is opening up huge opportunities for me and the next set of artists looking to get themselves out to the world.
The rest is less deep I promise…
Moving onto your upcoming BIGSOUND performance, for people who haven’t seen you live before what should they expect from a Jimi The Kween show?
If you thought you knew what drag was, think again haha! A Jimi TK show is a full fantasy of storytelling, celebration, high energy club show and trust your hands will be in the air and you’ll probably make a new friend 😉
Who else are you excited to catch at BIGSOUND (if you have the time)?
QUEENIE! I am obsessed with what she is doing, it’s so dreamy and lushhhh. Lady Hawke of course too and my girl Loosie Grind is banging it at the moment, thats gonna be a party 🙂
And finally, I end every interview with this question, can you recommend a few artists you’re listening to at the moment who you think deserve a bit more love?
Ardon England is a SLAY and has been working so hard and deserved a big break!
You can catch Jimi The Kween playing the following sets at BIGSOUND:
JIMI THE KWEEN
Tue 1st Sep
9:00PM – 9:30PM
Eclipse
JIMI THE KWEEN
Thu 3rd Sep
8:00PM – 8:30PM
The Brightside – Outdoors
You can follow JIMI THE KWEEN here.
And find out more about BIGSOUND here.