Jimi Somewhere, One of Music’s Freshest Finds

Meet Jimi Somewhere, a 22-year-old artist hailing from Hokksund, a picturesque town in Norway: he’s influenced by the imaginative work of renowned filmmaker Spike Jonze and the eminent artistry of Kendrick Lamar, Kevin Abstract, and Frank Ocean. 

With contemplative lyrics, frenzy electro-pop, ornate hip-hop beats, trippy pop, and multi-layered vocals, Jimi Somewhere has managed to create a unique sound unlike any other making him one of music’s freshest finds.  

In his newest single “In My Car,” from the forthcoming debut, LP Nothing Gold Can Stay out Feb. 5, 2021, Jimi paints a portrait of the apprehension behind liking someone you're unsure feels the same way. Like its title and along with automobile sound effects, the track captures a feeling of driving to an unknown destination wrapped up in meditative solitude. 

We caught up with Jimi to ask about “In My Car,” to where he started, where he’s been, and where he’s going. 

[UNPUBLISHED]: Can you tell us a little bit more about “In My Car”? 

[JIMI SOMEWHERE]: I spend and have spent so much of my life in cars. I love driving and it’s such a good thing for connecting, especially growing up in these small places where not much happens, you just end up driving around or sitting in a parking lot somewhere. This song is kind of just a story about this moment I had with a girl I was interested in and about driving around with her and being too scared to really make a move, but still appreciating the ride. After I came up with the theme of the song we went down to my car and sampled a bunch of sounds to put into it — like the snare at the end is me closing my car door. In essence, we wanted the whole song to just feel like driving. The ending is supposed to simulate a crash as well to take it to the extreme.

[UNPUBLISHED]: You’ve toured with Boy Pablo, headlined shows, and have made music for the last three years. Now, you’ve just released “In My Car” from your forthcoming debut LP Nothing Gold Can Stay. How did it all begin? 

[JIMI SOMEWHERE]: I’ve been making songs since I was like 6. Music has always been my biggest passion and I’ve had this tunnel vision since I was a kid. I used to play in all these bands and through middle school I wanted to become a rapper. It’s always been there. 

[UNPUBLISHED]: You moved from a small town in Norway with your two best friends to make music in Los Angeles for three months in a “cramped up in a tiny apartment” for three months. Who or what gave you the courage to do that?

[JIMI SOMEWHERE]: It was just a dream I had for so long. I knew that LA had so many opportunities and wanted to explore them. It’s also something I’ve seen plenty of my heroes do and it just felt like the right move. Very thankful I did it with my friends. Would have been a lot scarier alone. 

[UNPUBLISHED]: Can you describe the growth between Memoria to Ponyboy and now Nothing Gold Can Stay? And what were the inspirations for each one?

[JIMI SOMEWHERE]: It’s funny because Memoria was so dark compared to Ponyboy. But we also made Ponyboy in sunny LA and Memoria in the dark winter of Norway so I think that shows. I think you also notice how ‘Blonde’ dropped in between the two EPs. Nothing Gold Can Stay though is more of a mixture of everything. It’s made over such a long period of time. We kind of just put songs to the side that we felt were bigger or more important than an EP. 

[UNPUBLISHED]: You have a tattoo for Memoria. How did Memoria change your life? 

[JIMI SOMEWHERE]: It truly showed me that I actually had the skill to write and put together a whole collection of songs. Memoria was our first time really recording. So putting it out there and getting confirmation that I had something was so important to me. It also started a lot of conversations. Got me a manager, some fans, and even recognition from some of my heroes.

[UNPUBLISHED]: Out of all the songs you’ve written, which one is your favorite, and why? 

[JIMI SOMEWHERE]: On my album, I have this song called ‘Wedding’ where I reflect on my life and family and it's just really special to me. It's probably my most straight-up honest track which is why it means so much to me. 

[UNPUBLISHED]: You’ve directed some of your own music videos, including “Blue Skies” and “Puppy Love.” Can you tell me more about what your creative process is like? Both when writing and when directing?

[JIMI SOMEWHERE]: Every time I make a song I always get some sort of visuals pop up in my head. So when the time comes to make a video I always just dump all my ideas on the head of my co-director and he sorts them out and adds his vision. On set it's usually a back to back thing with my co-director Martin Kopperud. 

[UNPUBLISHED]: Your music is a mix of different sounds like electro-pop, ornate hip-hop beats, trippy pop, and multi-layered vocals. When you’re making music, is there a specific sound you’re always trying to achieve? 

[JIMI SOMEWHERE]: Not really! I love so much different music that I try to take all those influences and run them through the blender that is me and how it turns out, is how it turns out.

[UNPUBLISHED]: Looking through your Instagram, I can see friendships have played an important role in your career. For example, your best friend/producer Milo Orchis has helped in the making of your music. How do you think they’ve influenced you? 

[JIMI SOMEWHERE]: So many ways. Friendship is so important to me and I'm very lucky to have a group of solid, talented, and creative people surround me and inspire me every day. They all have a unique view on art and life so I try to learn as much as I can from them. I'm also a very collaborative spirit so I always try to find ways to create with my friends even if it's photography, art, or music. Like one of my close friends Vilde whos a painter, did the opening paintings in the last 3 music videos. Adds value to the work when you do it with people you love. 

[UNPUBLISHED]: You’ve befriended some of your favorite artists like Clairo, Kevin Abstract, and even collaborated with Boy Pablo and Kacy Hill. If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be? 

[JIMI SOMEWHERE]: Lorde or Conor Oberst I think. They're two of my favorite writers and I think collaborating with either one of them would teach me so much. 

[UNPUBLISHED]: Describe Nothing Gold Can Stay in one word. 

[JIMI SOMEWHERE]: Even though it might sound pretentious, I think ‘cinematic.’ That's what we were going for. I want it to feel like watching a movie. 

[UNPUBLISHED]: We’re in a really difficult time so what message or feeling would you like your listeners to know when listening to your music? 

[JIMI SOMEWHERE]: I hope my music and universe can work as escapism. Something you can dive into and forget everything else. That's something that's very much needed in such a dark time. 

[UNPUBLISHED]: In the ending credits of the behind the scenes making of your Ponyboy EP, it says “don’t be afraid to take a chance, it just might change your life.” How has taking a chance changed your life? 

[JIMI SOMEWHERE]: It resulted in me being able to make a living off what I love. Had I not jumped on that plane to LA I would probably still work a day job at home. But now I get to wake up every day and make music. Truly a blessing and a result of taking every chance you get.