Music Magick :: Imogen Heap

Because life is what it is, I never met Imogen Heap until very recently when a friend of mine played me a couple of her songs on YouTube – yes, that counts as meeting – and they both brought tears to my eyes.

Since then I’ve looked at a couple more things she’s done and I have quickly come to realise that Imogen Heap is one of those wonderful, extraordinary, supernaturally talented, naturally humble, brilliant, beautiful human beings who make it all – life, I mean – ultimately magnificent.

This song – and this performance – is my favourite thing so far…

But her work in the world of wearable technology – MiMu, the musical glove – is a whole new world of excitement.

First I watched this Wired talk from 2012, in which she demonstrates the technology that enables her to create, sample and loop music and sound just by waving her hands about like a goddess. It’s tremendous…

Then there’s this TED talk from a few months ago. It’s not quite as mind-blowing if you’ve already seen the Wired talk, but it’s fascinating to see how the technology is evolving, and it’s still full of totally magical moments…

Despite an unsuccessful funding attempt on Kickstarter, the MiMu gloves are still very much in development and I for one am exceedingly grateful.

Hoverboards, my arse.

Onwards!

 

Filed under: EVOLUTIONARIES, MUSIC, TECHNOLOGY Tagged: Imogen Heap, Kickstarter, TED, Wired