Singer-songwriter iamnotshane, born Shane Niemi in Los Angeles, has carved out a niche in indie pop with his wry, ironic style, pairing dark themes with upbeat production. Since self-releasing his debut EP, Sad, in 2016 – featuring the viral hit “Insecure”- he’s built a dedicated fanbase by turning bedroom demos into polished tracks. His self-titled EP followed in 2020, and songs like “Maybe My Soulmate Died” have surpassed 120 million streams. Now, with his 2026 EP The Playwright’s Demise, iamnotshane blends Shakespearean tragedy with synth-wave and California aesthetics, drawing on singles such as “Juliet, I Think I Wanna Die” and “Love Interest of the Month.” In this feature, he shares personal stories, the creative process, and the influences shaping this passion project.
Photo provided by Chasing the Wind Music
What personal story or “what if” moment sparked the concept for this EP, and how does it evolve the raw vulnerability we saw in tracks like “Insecure” from your 2016 debut?
iamnotshane: I’m drawn to irony, especially when two things that shouldn’t live together do. Insecure was a sad, heartbreaking piano song, but I danced to it like a stripper. One Less Year Alive had bleak, depressive lyrics wrapped in poppy beats and bright, cake-colored imagery. This EP comes from that same instinct. I was fascinated by the idea of a Shakespearean tragedy set in modern Los Angeles. A Renaissance skateboarder. A playwright who writes his own demise. A synthwave ode to Juliet. The themes and emotions are the same, just performed in Renaissance costume now.
How did songwriting for this release differ from your self-titled EP? Did you experiment with new structures, like blending VHS-style nostalgia with modern production?
Shane: This EP is actually closest to my SAD EP. I wrote most of it alone in my bedroom and produced it myself. Even the lyric videos return to VHS. I’ve been lucky to work with so many amazing people over the years, but this time it felt right to release a small passion project on my own, fully on my own terms.
Walk us through a day in the studio for this EP. Was there a breakthrough moment, like a late-night melody or an unexpected collaboration, that shaped its sound?
Shane: I made this EP the same way I made my first one. I start with a concept that excites me on long walks or late car rides. I record voice notes in the shower, play them out on the piano, produce them in bed, and then build the world around them by creating the artwork and videos to match.
What’s one lyric from the EP that surprised even you when it came out – something that felt too honest to share at first?
Shane: A lot of people don’t realize that I’m currently writing a novel and screenplays, and that I see myself as a storyteller first. Because of that, most of the songs I write aren’t literal accounts of my life. They’re narratives that pull from my experiences, shaped by emotions and questions that are very real and relatable to me. There’s a line in “Love Interest of the Month” that might be the most honest I’ve ever been about my faith: “He said want fulfillment? Yeah, something strong enough, please. Wasn’t money, fame, or success, but an intro to Jesus. And he changed everything, gave my life meaning.” At the same time, it feels like a natural progression. So much of my music has always circled death, longing, and the search for meaning hidden in humor. This was just the clearest place those questions landed.
Your videos have always been storytelling masterpieces – do you have visuals planned for the EP’s lead single, and how might they capture its emotional lean?
Shane: If I get the chance, I’d love to create one big music or lyric video that fully captures the California Renaissance vibe of this EP. Jousting skateboarders, Muscle Beach jesters, ballerinas skating down Venice Beach, and a playwright scripting his own demise.
What role did escapism play in producing this EP – did global events or personal travels influence the beats, making it feel like a soundtrack for dancing through uncertainty?
Shane: A lot! The idea actually came from a visit to the Renaissance Faire and coming off touring Europe. It sparked the idea for this EP, blending a California sound and aesthetic with Shakespearean themes and costumes.
Looking back at your journey from Tumblr demos to this EP, what advice would 8-year-old Shane give to the artist releasing it now?
Shane: Keep following your creative instincts! I was once with a label pushing me in a direction that didn’t leave room for my dry humor so I rebelled and released One Less Year Alive. The weird lyrics paid off because that freedom eventually led to Maybe My Soulmate Died which has now crossed 120 million streams.
What was your first album on cassette or CD?
Shane: …Baby One More Time by Britney Spears (laughs)
What was your first concert, and which concert has been your favorite, thus far?
Shane: Also Britney Spears. Now I’m realizing she probably inspired almost all of my dance moves (laughs)
Which five albums and/or artists would you not want to live without?
Shane:
- Black Celebration – Depeche Mode
- Electra Heart – Marina and the Diamonds
- Born to Die – Lana Del Rey
- 808s & Heartbreak – Kanye West
- The Fame Monster – Lady Gaga
- Folklore – Taylor Swift
iamnotshane’s The Playwright’s Demise is available now on major streaming platforms. With its bold fusion of historical drama and contemporary pop, this EP marks another chapter in his evolving artistry, proving that vulnerability and irony can indeed coexist beautifully. Listen and download iamnotshane’s music on Spotify, Apple, and Amazon. Connect socially with Shane on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Tumblr.
