Blog — Half Mystic

Posts by Christina Im

III: Nocturne | Searchlight Song: "Variations on a Theme"

III: Nocturne | Searchlight Song: "Variations on a Theme"

I can explain it so well. The night soft-nosed and sprawling. This air is heavy on my teeth, but I can trust it for now.

Columns, Music, Personal EssayChristina ImMay 15, 2017searchlight song

"It's enough—and hard enough—for it to be honest." (an interview with Linying)

"It's enough—and hard enough—for it to be honest." (an interview with Linying)

my present self is grateful to my past self five, ten years ago for making an effort to remember things that happened.

Interviews, MusicChristina ImJanuary 19, 2017linying

"These are the most tender and exciting moments of creation." (an interview with Linden Eller)

"These are the most tender and exciting moments of creation." (an interview with Linden Eller)

Memory shifts in forms of translation and recording—in how pieces are positioned and what shape everything becomes.

Art, Interviews, MusicChristina ImDecember 12, 2016goldmund, grouper, linden eller, sibylle baier, sufjan stevens, sun kil moon

II: Saudade | Searchlight Song: "Corporeal"

II: Saudade | Searchlight Song: "Corporeal"

You know that ache? When everywhere cries swan song, but no air can hope to hold you like a voice holds back the wind?

Columns, Music, Personal EssayChristina ImDecember 8, 2016halsey, hauschka, hilary hahn, jane austen, searchlight song

"Music allows the mind to access a bridge that is otherwise closed off." (an interview with Adam Huttunen of Mountains of the Moon)

"Music allows the mind to access a bridge that is otherwise closed off." (an interview with Adam Huttunen of Mountains of the Moon)

I wouldn’t say that any of the lyrics are by choice. I wish I could write songs about a perfect life, trust me! It’s all real.

Interviews, MusicChristina ImOctober 31, 2016mountains of the moon, Ben Howard, Daughter, Sharon Van Etten, The Barr Brothers, Kurt Vile, The War On Drugs, Ry X, Bon Iver, Marika Hackman, Bombay Bicycle Club, José González

"It’s all about the music in the end." (an interview with Dorothy Chan)

"It’s all about the music in the end." (an interview with Dorothy Chan)

The raw song itself is like the narrative, and the production is like pictures that help tell the story.

Interviews, MusicChristina ImAugust 31, 2016dorothy chan, the narrative, michael giacchino, lady gaga, sundial

“I make music for the insatiable urge inside me.” (An Interview With The Woodlands)

“I make music for the insatiable urge inside me.” (An Interview With The Woodlands)

In songwriting, memory is a potent element. It is everywhere inside you.

Interviews, MusicChristina ImJune 30, 2016anthony doerr, jean craighead george, john steinbeck, mary oliver, per petterson, the woodlands, willa cather

"I think I am a part of every photograph I take." (an interview with Ilana Newman)

"I think I am a part of every photograph I take." (an interview with Ilana Newman)

I love capturing the essence of a person in that moment.

Art, Interviews, MusicChristina ImMay 12, 2016ilana newman

I: Allegro | Searchlight Song: "Reason to Begin"

I: Allegro | Searchlight Song: "Reason to Begin"

Today I sat at the piano and played Chopin and felt vaguely as if I were about to cry.

Columns, Music, Personal EssayChristina ImMay 4, 2016searchlight song

"You'll Know When It's Time to Spread Your Wings." (an interview with Fleurie)

"You'll Know When It's Time to Spread Your Wings." (an interview with Fleurie)

Much of the time, lyrics find me and stay with me until I put them to music.

Interviews, MusicChristina ImApril 10, 2016fleurie