Q&A: Asha Imuno Talks SXSW, Debuting 'PINS & NEEDLES' and Gearing Up for Tour
THE ELECTRIFYING ENERGY OF SXSW WELCOMES ASHA IMUNO, a rising star poised for a breakout moment. Fresh off being named a top artist to watch in 2024 by Pigeons and Planes, Imuno isn't just attending the festival – he's taking it by storm. Performing at The Future of Music Showcase and the Marshall showcase, Imuno is ready to unveil his highly anticipated debut album, PINS & NEEDLES, a genre-bending exploration of the human experience.
PINS & NEEDLES delves into the deepest, darkest crevices of human nature, all filtered through the lens of a young Black artist from California. Co-produced by Imuno and Zach Ezzy (who's worked with artists like Jordan Ward and Smino), the album promises a captivating blend of hip-hop, R&B, funk, and neo-soul. It's a sonic tapestry woven with raw emotion, storytelling lyrics, and innovative soundscapes.
We caught up with Imuno on his first day in Austin ahead of the week’s festivities to chat the inspiration behind PINS & NEEDLES, his creative process, and what fans can expect from his upcoming live shows. Get ready to discover the raw energy and soulful soundscapes that are propelling Asha Imuno to the forefront of the music scene.
LUNA: Welcome to Austin, Asha! How's your first day here?
IMUNO: Loving the energy! It's a great vibe for artists. Everyone's bringing their A-game. It's exciting to be here with my team, feels like we're performing for our friends.
LUNA: What can we expect from your showcases compared to your previous live shows?
IMUNO: There's more polish. We've experimented with arrangements to make the set adaptable to different spaces. I haven’t played live in over a year so I’m excited.
LUNA: Congrats on the new album, PINS & NEEDLES! How do you feel about sharing PINS & NEEDLES live for the first time?
IMUNO: I'm excited, but a little nervous! Not sure what to expect crowd-wise, but I'm ready to give it my all.
LUNA: The album explores your experiences as a Black youth in California. Can you share some of the stories and emotions behind it?
IMUNO: It's a mix of everything - joy, grief, celebration, isolation, anxiety. The album's about embracing the full spectrum of emotions that come with life. We tried to reflect that in the lyrics and soundscapes.
LUNA: Sonically, it's a full album and there’s a lot of elements going into it, but it’s not overwhelming - it’s still very digestible. Were there any key inspirations?
IMUNO: We focused on stripping things back. I tend to add a lot, so the key was keeping the most impactful elements. Texture was important too - using sounds like keys, doors opening, and claps to create a sense of place.
LUNA: It feels cohesive, yet unique on each listen.
IMUNO: That's what we aimed for! There were many versions of some songs. "Hold the Door" started as an electronic rap track…but we ended up going back to the original demo with just guitar.
LUNA: The collaborations on this one are amazing - how did they influence the album's sound?
IMUNO: The collaborations reflect characters, perspectives, and moments you encounter in life. Many collaborators are my friends, so it felt organic. Having them brought a storytelling element and a different songwriting approach, making the album feel dynamic.
LUNA: You’ll be kicking off a tour next month - what can we expect from your live sets?
IMUNO: They'll definitely evolve. We're figuring out ways to reimagine the live set now that people have heard the album. It'll be my first tour, so expect some experimentation!
LUNA: What are your intentions for the upcoming months?
IMUNO: To share more visuals, tell the story behind the album, tour, and get inspired for the next project!
