Interview with Kimmortal: the Importance of Community, Support, and Understanding

Grimalkin had the pleasure of interviewing queer non-binary filipinx multi-hyphenate artist, K!mmortal, about their visions for the music industry, important work going on in their region, and the comfort of community.

If your musical/artistic journey was a movie tagline, what would it be? 

Upon discovering a mysterious box of colourful shapes, Kimmortal unlocks a code that leads into another realm not so far from their own.

Grimalkin is striving to make changes within and create alternative systems to the music industry. If you could change at least one thing about the music industry, what would it be?

Monthly funding for Queer Trans Black Indigenous POC musicians in need to cover their rent. Musicians need their basic needs met. And: Free counselling for musicians.

Can you share some important mutual aid work that is happening in your local city?

Vancouver Black Therapy and Advocacy Foundation seeks to address the lack of Black therapy resources/advocacy/mental health support in Vancouver. They are a non-profit organization that raises funds to connect Black community members with accredited Black counsellors and therapists locally.

We here at Grimalkin believe that music is a vehicle for positive change and a way to document stories, experiences, and history for marginalized people. Can you share with us some parting words of wisdom, advice, or hopes for the future?

I saw the genuine intention to uplift and spread the love and appreciation for queer artists and bipoc artists in the community via Grimalkin's year end Grimalkin Awards 2022. Even though I'm all the way in Vancouver and over this border, I experienced that feeling of community from hanging out virtually with the crew. I felt safe and understood and also encouraged to keep taking creative risks because somewhere out there is a queer that will feel me, appreciate me, and even understand me. I'm just really grateful that the community in Grimalkin exists and i hope they get hundreds of thousands of dollars to continue their important rare gem of work in this industry.


Kimmortal is a queer non-binary filipinx multi-hyphenate artist born in Vancouver, BC. Combining their passion for hip hop, visual art, theatre, spoken word, ancestral wisdom, and liberation, Kimmortal strives to build worlds that make queer and diasporic weird kids feel like they belong. You can check out their work and learn more about K!mmortal here: https://kimmortalportal.com

Known for their powerful stage presence and multi-dimensional approach to music, Kimmortal has opened for some of their favourite artists including Thundercat, Saul Williams, Shad K, Ruby Ibarra, Saba, Bif Naked, and Gabriel Teodros. They have performed in SXSW, Junofest, Rifflandia, NXNE, Winnipeg Pride Festival, Taking Black Pride (Seattle), and Reeperbahn in Germany.

Kimmortal’s background in visual art (BA in Visual Art & Art History) as well as theatre (Urban Ink Theatre, Frank Theatre Co.) influence the way they present their work. Their concept album “X marks the Swirl” (2019) delves into queer diasporic longing and solidarity on stolen land through the shape of the swirl. The album incorporates cosmic soundscapes, soul activating lyrics, and poetic interludes produced by Kimmortal alongside David Tallarico and featuring local emcees within the Vancouver scene. The album was announced by Buffy St. Marie as a long-listed nominee for the Polaris in 2019. Later that year it was recognized as top 19 albums of 2019 via CBC and nominated in the 2020 "Hip Hop and Rap" category of Breakout West Music Awards.

In March of 2022, Kimmortal’s anthem “Sad Femme Club” received a shout-out from US Congresswoman Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez which motivated Kimmortal to release the first single “K I’m Mortal”, “i can’t trust you” and “this dyke” off their upcoming 2023 album.

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