LAMIA Talks 'Requiem For A Dream' Filmmaking & Her Visionary Audiovisual World

LAMIA is an underground electronic artist, producer, filmmaker, and researcher whose work seamlessly blends music with cinematic storytelling. Based between London and Berlin, she has built a distinctive artistic identity through immersive audiovisual experiences that explore themes of identity, loneliness, memory, and psychological fragmentation. With support from BBC Radio 1, BBC Introducing, CLASH, DMY, and performances at renowned venues including Berghain Kantine, LAMIA continues to establish herself as one of the most exciting multidisciplinary talents in the electronic music scene. We caught up with her to discuss her latest release, Requiem For A Dream, her creative process, and the vision behind her ever-evolving artistic world.

Hey LAMIA! Glad to have you here to talk with you about your latest release, ‘Requiem For A Dream’

Hey! Thanks for having me.

Can you please tell us more about ‘Requiem For A Dream’? How did the project come to life, and what inspired both the song and its accompanying visual story?

The Requiem for a Dream project, made up of the track and video, examines life’s complex experiences, such as tensions between urban dreams of self-actualisation, illusion, and psychological fragmentation. The project took shape through songwriting and producing first. I have a rare form of synesthesia in which I experience music as visual imagery, like snippets of film, which led me to direct the video and explore these artistic themes visually.

‘Requiem For A Dream’ is your first self-directed music video. What was it like taking on the roles of producer, director, editor, and performer all at once?

Great question. It was my first solo-directed music video, but I co-directed a previous video, Paradox, which was successful on the film festival circuit. To answer your question about all the roles, it was really intense but a labour of love. When I was editing the film, I watched the last footage shot just before we wrapped. I remember watching it and thinking, wow, I look seriously wiped out.

The music video was filmed in Hong Kong and is filled with striking neon-lit imagery. Why did you choose Hong Kong as the setting, and what does the city represent within the story?

A friend of mine who I previously worked with on the Paradox video moved out there, and I was taking a trip there to visit family. I knew that the setting would be unbelievable, as I was really inspired by Wong Kai Wai’s films.

Song video embedded here

Your music blends underground electronic sounds with cinematic storytelling. How would you describe your sound to someone discovering your music for the very first time?

I would say it generally falls between deconstructed club, ambient, haunting, jazz-influenced, experimental, cinematic, and sometimes industrial.

Who is LAMIA, and why music? At what age did you discover your passion for creating music, and how did your journey begin?

There was always a real interest in the arts in my family, or what my grandparents used to say, ‘showbiz’. I started singing classical music at age 5. When I was about 9, I won a talent contest at school, singing Tina Turner’s “Nutbush City Limits” (I still have the trophy). I used to sing along to my Mum’s CDs in the car, especially jazz records like Billie Holiday. I then got into musical theatre in primary school, playing Nancy in a school production of Oliver, and I really enjoyed being on stage. Later, I learned to play the clarinet as well, which helped me read music and, later on, with composition. I got into the BRIT School at 16, so from then on I was doing music full-time. I started writing songs around then, and then started using Ableton at around 19.

Do you remember the first song or artist that made you fall in love with electronic music?

My friend took me to see Chase & Status after ‘No More Idols’ came out; they were playing at a sports centre. My friend was really rebellious, and we said we were staying at a friend’s house. It was mostly older drum-and-bass heads and us. I think we were among the youngest there, as it hadn’t really blown up with young people yet. They played ‘No Problem ’, and all I can remember is hearing the guy’s voice and seeing visuals, and just being rooted to the spot thinking, this is insane.

Who or what has been your biggest inspiration throughout your artistic journey, both musically and visually?

I was talking about this with my Mum recently; she said that I had always been a musician and that it’s something that’s part of me. Artists can inspire you, and it’s a great feeling, but the real drive to create comes from within.

Outside of creating music and films, what’s one activity you enjoy that helps you relax and recharge?

Nice question. I really enjoy buying a coffee from my local cafe and going for a nice long walk. It sounds strange, but even if it’s raining!

This is all for now. Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions. Where can our community find out more about your music, upcoming releases, and future projects?

Thanks for having me, it’s been fun. The best way to stay in touch and hear the whole album, due for release next year, is to follow me on Instagram or Bandcamp, or subscribe to my YouTube channel. Bandcamp is great because I have a mailing list, so it’s easy to hear from me.

Stream Link – https://open.spotify.com/track/38KmKye3NOOJkuaPcU5GSy?si=ef9e7e4daba84637

Follow LAMIA on socials:

https://linktr.ee/lamiamusicuk
https://www.instagram.com/lamiamusicuk
https://www.youtube.com/@lamiauk4639
https://lamiamusicuk.bandcamp.com/track/requiem-for-a-dream-prod-lamia

Photo Credit: Jove Tsin Li