Dami Im’s new album I Hear A Song a return to her jazz roots

AFTER a meteoric rise in pop music, Queensland’s Dami Im has come full circle with her new album I Hear A Song a dramatic departure from her appearances on The X Factor and in the Eurovision song contest.

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AFTER a meteoric rise in pop music, Dami Im has come full circle.

Four albums into her career as one of Australia’s most celebrated singers, Im believes she is now established enough to return to her jazz roots with the release of her new album.

“I was a concert pianist and a jazz singer before I went on The X Factor,” she told Games Confidential ahead of performing at The Star Gold Coast last night.

“I thought it was time for me to reconnect with the artist I am. People can tell when you are being authentic to yourself, and if you are trying to be somebody else that you are not.”

Dami Im pictured at Nineteen at The Star on the Gold Coast. Picture: Nigel Hallett

She added: “It feels like I am being honest with myself – and with other people. It also feels like I don’t have to try as hard – I try my best but this is comfortable to me, and it is fun. I have obviously got to keep exploring but it has led to me writing more songs.”

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Im, 29, won the fifth season of The X Factor in 2013 and was signed to Sony Music Australia as part of her prize. Since then she has toured the world and represented Australia at Eurovision in 2016, where she placed second with her hit Sound of Silence.

Dami Im carrying the Queen’s Baton at the Daisy Hill Koala Centre in Logan.

“The turning point for me was Eurovision,” she said. “It made me think that I really want to take my music outside Australia as well, but before I could do that, I needed to be true to myself and find my distinct sound. That is where I started exploring this new thing where I play piano and do the things I’ve loved doing my whole life.”

Im’s new album, I Hear a Song, debuted at No. 3 on the Australian charts and features two original tracks.

“You wouldn’t call it like a serious jazz record, but it has that flavour,” she said. “It has all that vibe that I used to have before this pop thing came along.”