Listen Now: A Detroit Ballad for Boots
See below for an interview with the artists!
Detroit, MI- As we march forward on our journey to build boots here in Detroit, we have partnered with COTS, Thrive Detroit, and California based non-profit Harmonic Humanity, to bring music, education, and transitional jobs to the homeless in Detroit.
WHY MUSIC? We believe in the healing power of music and thanks to the help of some world famous artists including Jason Miraz, Maroon 5, and Sarah Mclachlan, alongside local talent from Detroit, we are co-producing an album featuring these talented folks called, “Hero” that will be available online and sold by the homeless in some select locations across Detroit, with all funds going to creating employment(hand-up) and support systems(boot straps) for the homeless of Detroit.
Here is the 1st song by Detroit artist iMi that was made specifically with the Boots on the Ground project in mind! Get the Single, “We Need You” From the upcoming “HERO” Album with All proceeds from the purchase of this benefitting COTS, Thirve Detroit, and Boots on the Ground.
HOW DID WE GET HERE? AJ Lovewins, co-founder of Harmonic Humanity, is an artist who was homeless himself at one time and created this project 5 years ago as a means to uplift and employ those around him. The hero album coming to Detroit is the third record made. It will feature Grammy award winning artists, as well as up and coming artists from Detroit, including iMi, who we interviewed below.
1 of the 2 local artists on this album that were selected from a large pool of amazing talent in Detroit and across Michigan is singer, songwriter, sculptor, painter, and all around artist; iMi of the band L8Blümer.
In your song “We Need You”, the lyrics say: “no one left behind” what does it mean to you and how does it relate to working alongside our veterans.
iMi: Our intention when we conceptualized and created the song, was to come from a place of giving. That we are all the same, we’re all here together, we’re all human, we’re all doing the best we can, we don’t want to leave anyone behind. putting ourselves in the position of so many that are in need and looking for some sort of assistance, and we want to create ways in which nobody is left behind.
What do you want people to walk away with after they hear this piece?
iMi: We need to affirm that we are all in this together and are stronger when we come together and collaborate. We need every single person competing against themselves to be the best versions of themselves. We need everyone to see that everything is connected. We need to embrace that the future holds what we make from it, and to never give up on what we aspire to become, even if we haven’t figured it out yet. We need you.
The song starts out, 'Better late than never" is that a connection to the band name L8Blümer?
iMi: “Yes. "Better late than never" is our tag line for L8Blümer. You will find it in all of our songs. The tag line is intended to inspire people to never give up; especially when they think it's too late to do so.”
Tell us more about yourself- You went to school in Detroit and grew up in the Flint area? How long have you been singing? What other kinds of art do you make(sculptor, paint, pencil, shag carpet faces,etc) What inspires you and keeps you motivated?
iMi: “I grew up in the small town of grand blank Michigan, and went to college at the College for creative studies in Detroit Michigan. I studied illustration but had a heavy interest in fine art techniques; mostly oil painting and sculpture. After college I started working as a set sculptor in the movie industry in Detroit Michigan. The funny thing about it is I didn't actually start singing until late high school/early college. I sang in a few choirs at church and they always requested me to do solos that I didn't want to do because I was nervous and didn't like my voice by itself. Eventually I came around to the sound of my voice and the idea of singing in front of people. I sang solos in church and also made videos on YouTube to test the waters of my voice. I always got great responses. People said my voice made them feel something. That's why I started to take music seriously and that's why I still do today. I've had great music mentors since then, in and out of the music industry.
I'm currently working as a set sculptor in Los Angeles as well as working on music projects that will hopefully inspire a lot of people.
Other than that, I do oil painting, personal artwork, graphic design, and other artistic endeavors.”
What inspired this song, "We Need You?iMi & Mal: “We actually wrote "we need you" specifically for the album "Hero" with harmonic humanity. This album is to be sold by homeless people for their profit and to inspire people to support the homeless. This triggered something in both me and Malachi and we both saw it as an opportunity to make a difference as far as align with everything that we are up to. We both thought about experiences that we've had with homeless people or with anyone in need and thought about how we are all the same. How both me and Malachi are in need of people to assist with our personal and collective goals, and how everyone of us on this planet are in need of people in one way or another. That is the space we came from when we created this song together and hopefully that's what comes across when people listen to it. “
iMi: “What inspires me and keeps me going is the response that I get from my voice and the fact that I truly believe I am making a difference in someone's life when I create things. I am a creator and to me that holds a lot of responsibility. The responsibility of imagining the world and making it a better place. “
What is your goal for making art and music?
iMi: ”I want to make things that make a difference in people’s lives. Things that make you feel, that make you see the world in an inspiring limitless way. Much like what me and Malachi are up to in this collaboration, we want to change people’s lives with everything that we do.”
How do you feel about Boots on the Ground making it our theme song as we kick off events?”
“I am honored that boots on the ground is so excited about using our song as the theme song! I really feel like both the song and everything boots on the ground is about, line up pretty well! I love everything about our collaboration with Boots on the Ground!
Find iMi on Facebook "Alonzo Edwards (iMi), Instagram @alonzo_imi or l8blumer.com
& Check out this music video from iMi:
L8Blümer A coalition is rising to bring music, education, and healing to the homeless in the place where Motown was born.