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Art & Life with Jamie-Lee Dimes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamie-Lee Dimes.

 

Tell us about yourself and your journey so far:
My name is Jamie-Lee Dimes, I am a singer, songwriter and multi instrumentalist from Australia based between California and New York. I moved to New York when I was 22, to attend dance school in the Broadway Theatre District after two years of music school. From there, I released my first EP “Liminality” at the close of 2016, working with engineer Callum Barter (Kurt Vile, Courtney Barnett, The Dirty Three) in Melbourne, Australia. I’ve been writing and recording my next album the past year between Brooklyn, Jersey City and the California desert, and am set to release it in March, 2019. I will be going on tour next year and am playing some intimate shows around the country towards the lead up!

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I am a recording artist, with a background in dance and theatre. My first EP Liminality was written after a year of dance training on Broadway and living in New York. I wanted to write music for dance pieces and film, the dark and fluid soundtrack of my experiences. My second record which will be released in early 2019, is more of a political record, a lot dreamier. I really love creative directing and bringing in visual elements too. People say I love to talk, and I’m pretty strong-minded, so I think any work I do it’s important I am communicating a message of my experiences, views or opinions.

I have been doing music since I was 15, doing voice, piano, guitar and drum lessons and dancing since I was three. I’ve been getting rejected from this industry since I started auditioning at 7 years old. This industry is pretty sterile, and its best to stick to your values so I am learning.

Artists rarely, if ever pursue art for the money. Nonetheless, we all have bills and responsibilities and many aspiring artists are discouraged from pursuing art due to financial reasons. Any advice or thoughts you’d like to share with prospective artists?
I decided after two years of music school and one year of dance school to take a break from the unpredictable financial challenges of an artist and go to business school. Turns out, I love business, I’m good at it and when applied to the creative world, it helps a lot. I have been working four jobs for about four years and this year has been the first year where I work fulltime for myself, whilst every dollar I earnt the last four years went into recording, releasing, visas, moving countries, and my businesses it allowed me the creative freedom to do what I wanted without restrictions. If you want to be an artist, you need money to get it out there.

I started a sustainable fashion label on the side, and when I’m feeling down about music I have the stability of that to pull me through. My biggest advice is to not always get too caught up in your emotions, and self-loathing – a natural part of the creative process and being wired as an artist. Be structured, have deadlines, time plans, other people on board when releasing work so you get it out there, and a DIY baby. Treat it like a business.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
You can get my first EP on iTunes or buy a vinyl on my website: http://jamieleedimes.com I also have Instagram @jamieleedimesmusic and Facebook: http://facebook.com/jamieleedimes I will be touring 2019 and I’m sure Boston will be on the list, so please follow my album release and come!

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Liminality album cover by Australian photographer Morgan Mcleod

Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

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