Hypable spoke to IAMEVE, an electro-pop artist whose song was featured in Sea of monsters, about her style, her creative process, and Thalia’s theme.
“To Feel Alive” is the hauntingly beautiful theme song for Thalia, the daughter of Zeus who was nearly killed by a cyclops in Sea of Monsters, the second book and second film in the Percy Jackson series. She was saved by her father and transformed into a tree, where she has been guarding Camp Half-Blood ever since.
Hypable spoke to the artist behind the song, IAMEVE, about both her music and the song’s relation to the film and the character of Thalia. You can listen to the song below and read the lyrics on her website.
Q: What does the creative process look like when you sit down to pen or compose a song?
A: Every time is a little different depending on the mood or circumstances, but overall I find the best way for me to create is to focus on the feeling of the moment and try to stay out of my head. Often I am inspired by a certain story or intention and other times I hear a beat or melody that makes me sing and move. From there I try to just be open and let ideas flow out. What’s amazing is that there are so many tools to create with, whether its an acoustic instrument, computer software, or apps on the iPhone. There’s so many ways to be creative and get inspired. Tools and palettes aside, I still am an avid believer in the craft of songwriting and that there is nothing more important than strong melody and lyric. No matter what, in the end, the most important thing is refining the melody and lyrics over and over until it feels right.
Q: How would you describe your sound to someone who’s never heard your music before?
A: It’s kind of ethereal, fantastical, pop that is a little left of center with a lot of synths and big harmonies.
The Huffington Post described it as “if Alice took Ziggy Stardust’s hand and followed him down the rabbit hole to a world guided by the twists and turns of ethereal and colorful vocals.”
Q: What preparation did you take before this song was written? (ie. Did you watch the previous movie? Have you read the books?)
A: Yes, I did watch the previous and current movie, as well as reading excerpts from the books. I also have a love for Greek mythology, so I had fun researching Thalia and the Muses as well. Andrew [Lockington, composer] and I also spent a lot of time working on ideas for how to bring the sound of the film score and Thalia’s Theme together with my sound to create something that would connect in a magical way.
Q: What was your main objective with this song? What did you want your listeners to get from it?
A: The inspiration for me was to bring Thalia’s story to life by imagining what it was like to be in her shoes. I just loved her character and story because she has this beautiful combination of strength and vulnerability that is so feminine. Plus I loved the idea of her being in a state of slumber from childhood and waking as a young woman. It reminds me a little of Snow White, and it’s something that I think most females connect to on a deep level. It also made perfect sense with the ending of them film, where she awakes, especially since it connects to the next sequence in the series. It just seemed to be the perfect way to end it.
What I wanted listeners to get from it was the feeling of being lifted up and alive. It is such an extreme to go from darkness and aloneness, to suddenly out of nowhere waking up surrounded by people and bright lights. That’s what it felt like happened to Thalia, and I hoped to capture those emotions in the lyrics and music.
Q: This was written about Thalia Grace, but is there any part of you in this song?
A: :) Yes… It’s as much about me as it is about Thalia. It was a perfect set of coincidences, as I’ve been working on a concept album called The Everything Nothing, where I am lifted up into the universe after being trapped for a lifetime in a big black hole. Essentially, it’s about awakening, which is what I immediately connected to with Thalia’s story. I am so fascinated with women and our incredible ability to transform ourselves over and over again until we are barely recognizable. It’s truly magical, and Thalia’s awakening felt like one of those transformations to me.