One of the founding members of trip-hop group Sneaker Pimps, these days Chris Comer is consumed with IAMX, a musical alter-ego he calls his “subversive little kingdom.” Birthed in Berlin, the music of IAMX is a mix of dark electro and industrial, the likes of which doesn’t get much mainstream exposure around these parts.

Kingdom Of Welcome Addiction, IAMX’s third album, features a first–a duet with singer-songwriter Imogen Heap (whom I adore). Comer says doing the track was an afterthought while putting the album together:

“I have always wanted to do a duet and finally found a track that needed it. Imogen is a friend and I somehow thought of here when I came up with the lyric for the first verse. I fantasized about a psycho mind game relationship, for some reason brother and sister. I sent a rough version to her and she added a second verse and lovely incidental vocals. The arrangement and chord structure is very simple so most of the interest lies in the performances and, of course, the dirty bass line.”

Heap and Comer have completed a gender-bending video for “My Secret Friend,” which hit the Interweb yesterday. Comer’s costuming reminds me of Berlin’s Terri Nunn (which may be no coincidence at all):

Purchase IAMX featuring Imogen Heap – “My Secret Friend” via iTunes, Amazon MP3.