Destined for Rebirth: A Deep Dive into Plumia’s Portal for the Release of Her Latest Single and Music Video ‘Doppelgänger’

Photo by James Dryden

Electrifying Naarm’s underground, alternative, trip-hop scene, Plumia is an artist to watch. Transfixed to the dark, evocative imagery of the Doppelgänger music video, this hauntingly hypnotic track hooks listeners from the first beat. Ominous church bell synths dance across a guttural bass, as Plumia lays motionless on the cool chrome of an operating table. 

The former member of the Meanjin Pop Duo Wiigz relocated to Naarm to showcase her new body of work, supporting artists such as Prophecy Girl and BEA1991.  Her innovative artistic expression is reflected in her distinct eclectic image. Amongst veils of smoke, the five-piece band’s live performances are a must-see, playing in striking looks of latex and leather, gloves and black feathers. 

Doppelgänger explores empowerment through the helpless surrender to rebirth. Plumia shares her inspiration: “‘Doppelgänger’ to me, means traversing the different versions of yourself. At 25, it feels like I’ve lived 25 lives.” To cycle through one’s selves is to fight the fierce friction of transformation and this track could not encompass the feeling more. Dark yet addictive garage drums shudder through the body with intoxication. Eerily sensual saxophone riffs echo as her soul bleeds into new form. Vivid lyrical sentiments are Plumia’s signature, opening the track with a rich, dreamy tone;

“Falling into the last rewind

Found an angel

She chained my heart to her eyes,

in disguise…

I’m hypnotised

My doppelgänger 

I don’t know if it's me or you” 

Hovering below the clavicle, Plumia wears an antique key, glowing through the strobe lights, a symbol of her ability to unlock a new reality for both herself and her listeners. The track exposes the complex relationship we feel towards change. How ‘the new’ can feel initially artificial, then blossom into visceral liberation. There is a subtle nod to the blade that follows women in the music industry, the pressing pressure to reinvent. The visual imagery Plumia creates mimics the internal cloning and adapting that circulates within the body of an artist. The track sonically illustrates a ‘last breath’ as a pensive piano solo mourns the shedding of the old. In the video, emerges the band, playing in mesmerized rapture, at the mercy of revival. 

Plumia views herself as an audiovisual artist and finds the visions frequently visit her simultaneously with the music. The track was co-produced by Plumia and James Halstead (TejaVu) in their home studio. Plumia shares, “I wanted to create something dissonant that puts listeners on edge, in a very mystical way.” With the song on loop, I find myself on the precipice,  shifting, feeding on the promise of potential, and the anticipation of my next and ever changing form. 

Plumia’s Doppelgänger music video and track are now available on all streaming platforms. Naarm residents keep your eyes peeled for an immersive Plumia live show experience on the horizon, all portal updates featured on @plumia.hz