ISSIE is a 21-year-old songwriter and artist whose soulful mix of soppy soul, jazz, and mellow blues has drawn comparisons to Olivia Dean, Celeste, Invoice Withers, and Amy Winehouse. She has collaborated with trade names together with Jim Reilley, Franklin Jonas, Alex Apolline, and PeanutButterWolf, and her expertise has led to invites to revered songwriting networks worldwide, from Zonkey Studios in Vienna to American Songwriter’s esteemed Between the Strains camp. Recognized for her hymn-like lyrics and wealthy melodies, ISSIE has carried out at famend UK venues comparable to The Cavern Membership, The Finsbury, and The Troubadour, and shared pageant levels with artists like Gloria Gaynor and The Fratellis. Splitting her time between Liverpool and Los Angeles, she continues to increase her dwell presence and develop her distinctive, genuine sound.
1. Your music attracts comparisons to artists like Olivia Dean, Celeste, Invoice Withers, and Amy Winehouse—what particular parts from every encourage your soulful mix of soppy soul, jazz, and mellow blues, and the way do you make it uniquely yours?
Quite a lot of my inspiration comes from a gallery of nice artists throughout genres and a long time. Whether or not I’m listening to motown, arduous rock, folks, various jazz, or shoegaze, the very best factor about being an artist and a author is that, being surrounded by a lot music, I’ve grow to be a real fan by way of and thru. I discover that usually, the extra I attempt to give attention to a sound in my music and attempt to be one thing or somebody, it turns into one thing that isn’t real or lifelike to me. Music that feels real to me and uniquely myself comes once I’m letting any side or artistic thought move and grow to be a brand new avenue of music, moderately than myself chasing after a sound I like.
2. At simply 21, you’ve already constructed a powerful resume with performances at iconic UK venues like The Cavern Membership and The Troubadour. What sparked your ardour for songwriting as a younger artist in Liverpool, and what was your first huge break?
My love for songwriting has been instilled in me since earlier than I ever touched a piano. I’ve all the time cherished writing poems, scribbling to myself, or simply buzzing random rhymes collectively. I believe that keenness for writing has all the time been a continuing all through my profession, guiding me to the place I’m at present and, if something, pushing me additional alongside the way in which. I don’t suppose there’s ever been a primary huge break essentially. I really feel the jumps in my profession extra so after the actual fact, and once I look again from a 12 months or extra, I see how far I’ve actually come. Typically it’s arduous to see the expansion as an artist over time, so it’s a must to remind your self of the belongings you do now that you just as soon as might solely want for and the way that objective is ever-changing and pushing you ahead.
3. You’re identified in your hymn-like lyrics and wealthy melodies—are you able to stroll us by way of your artistic course of? Do you begin with a melody, a narrative, or one thing else, and the way do you infuse that authenticity into each monitor?
A lot of my songwriting course of has modified through the years and even months. I’ve been fortunate to study from many skilled and well-versed songwriters by way of college, camps, and sessions- and the one takeaway I all the time make the most of is creating songs and concepts from completely different views and processes. I used to write down from a chord development and make a melody and lyric on high of that, however as I’ve discovered extra and honed in on my craft, I’ve realized the significance of making from alternative ways. Typically I’ll discover it straightforward to write down a track with a melody first, typically it’s tough, and typically I don’t even need to write. So, I attempt to take it daily and track by track within the course of, and let no matter occurs occur!
4. You’ve labored with heavy-hitters like Jim Reilley, Franklin Jonas, Alex Apolline, and PeanutButterWolf. What’s essentially the most shocking lesson you’ve discovered from collaborating with such numerous skills, and the way has it formed your sound?
The largest shock has been how collaboration isn’t about mixing kinds, however about discovering fact in distinction. In all my numerous collaborations with mentors, artists, writers, and others, I’ve discovered that everybody brings their very own distinctive language to the room — and as a substitute of attempting to talk theirs, I’ve discovered to carry my very own voice whereas nonetheless being open. It’s made my sound extra fluid, extra assured, and fewer afraid of imperfection.
5. Invites to songwriting camps like Zonkey Studios in Vienna and American Songwriter’s Between the Strains sound unbelievable—what standout expertise from these worldwide networks has pushed your artistry ahead essentially the most?
Songwriting camps have been a few of the most respected experiences for me as a author. I’ve been fortunate to attend unbelievable retreats like Zonkey Studios and Between the Strains, the place I’ve met artists from all around the world. What stands out most isn’t simply the collaborations, however the nerves — strolling right into a room with full strangers and by some means creating one thing you’d by no means make by yourself. Every session teaches me one thing new about myself and about music, and that fixed studying is what retains me impressed.
6. Sharing pageant levels with legends like Gloria Gaynor and The Fratellis have to be electrical. What’s your favourite reminiscence from a dwell present, and the way do you seize that intimate, soulful vitality in entrance of a crowd?
A few of my favourite reveals have been the smaller, extra intimate gigs round Liverpool, enjoying to wherever from ten to 100 individuals. There’s one thing particular about performing in a metropolis with such a deep musical historical past — each venue feels prefer it has its personal story. One among my favourite gigs was with the Liverpool Jazz Society at Frederick’s. The place was packed, individuals had been spilling in, and the vitality was unreal. It was a kind of nights that felt electrical from the stage to the gang, and it nonetheless stands out as one among my favorites.
7. Splitting time between Liverpool and Los Angeles provides such a dynamic distinction—how does every metropolis affect your music and life-style, and do you could have a “house base” for inspiration?
Every metropolis feels utterly completely different in its personal approach, however each give me what I want at completely different occasions. Los Angeles will all the time really feel like house — it’s the place I recharge. Each time I’m again, it appears like a bit of trip: sunshine, burritos, and being surrounded by that straightforward coastal vitality. Liverpool, however, has all the time been the place I work and research, so it naturally brings out extra of my hustle mindset. It’s the place I really feel pushed to write down, play gigs, and chase new alternatives. However that stability shifts typically — as a result of I actually do love performing and creating again house simply as a lot.
8. As a rising 21-year-old in a aggressive trade, what’s been the most important hurdle in growing your genuine sound, and the way have you ever overcome it?
The toughest half as an impartial artist is pushing towards an trade that doesn’t need to settle for you. I’ve skilled conditions the place individuals in sure rooms are reluctant to work with you until you could have illustration or a particular identify related to you, which retains many individuals away and gatekeeps the trade from the bulk. There have been many classes I’ve discovered alongside the way in which, however one among them is discovering your “protector”-someone who actually believes in you and desires that can assist you achieve no matter approach. I’m grateful to have individuals in my nook who assist me once I don’t all the time have the boldness or sources to assist myself. Nevertheless, it’s undoubtedly a difficult trade to navigate, and never for the faint of coronary heart.
9. Along with your increasing dwell presence, what can followers stay up for subsequent—an album, tour, or new collaboration? How do you envision evolving your mellow blues vibe within the coming years?
Since enjoying reveals across the UK, constructing a presence within the dwell scene, and connecting with so many individuals within the trade, I’m actually grateful to have discovered an viewers I can carry out for. I’m now on the brink of launch my authentic music and make my debut in 2026, which appears like such an thrilling subsequent step. It’s one thing I’ve been engaged on for a very long time, slowly shaping and refining, and I hope individuals join with it the way in which I do. I’m all the time writing and creating new music, and I’m excited to let my sound evolve naturally — wherever it decides to go.
10. For different younger songwriters dreaming of levels like The Finsbury or international camps, what’s one piece of recommendation you’d give primarily based in your journey to this point?
One thing I’ve to remind myself usually is the explanation why I do what I do- and it’s as a result of I like music. I like all the things about it, and that’s the explanation why I’m the place I’m at present. As a result of I like music a lot, I used to be bold and eager to make it a actuality. I flew 5,000 miles away from my house by myself and created a life for myself. Should you can maintain that drive all through the ups and downs of life and your profession, I believe you can also make your personal model of success!
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- E-mail: neill@outloudculture.com
