Hi Isabella, can you share a bit about your early life and what led you to pursue music?
Sure! I originally grew up in Melbourne, Florida and moved to Chicago when I was around 15. I had always been a big fan of music since I was little – I used to listen to a lot of my mom and grandma’s Spanish music (Enrique and Julio Iglesias, Shakira, etc.) None of my immediate family has interest in music or the arts, so I was somewhat of a lone wolf coming into my middle school and high school years, and discovering what I like. I joined my school’s band in eighth grade and learned to play the clarinet so I have a very soft spot for classical music in my heart, but my side activities were always writing and reading poetry, and listening to my favorite artists. For me, music seemed like such a cool way of expressing myself earnestly but in a performative manner – it’s the perfect combination of my two interests and I feel the most myself when I am making music.
How do you think your upbringing has influenced your music style?
I think I was exposed to a wide array of musical styles at a very young age and I think that has made me more open to doing things creatively that aren’t very typical. Also, with my lifelong love of literature, I think lyrics/the storytelling aspect of my music are very important to me and the way I write, so coming up with music that works with the lyrics without overshadowing them can be very challenging but super fun to figure out.
How would you describe your musical style to someone who has never heard your songs?
It’s kind of indie, kind of pop, sort of alternative. Definitely sad girl music but that doesn’t mean I’ll never try something new.
Can you share a memorable moment from your journey as a musician?
Performing live for the first time was really memorable. It was only a fifteen minute set and I was so nervous but it was amazing to engage with an audience and tell them my stories, seeing them react to it, and just feeling the energy shift in the room.
“Dark Matter” is a captivating title. Can you explain the inspiration behind it?
So “Dark Matter” is how I think of the empty void of space – its nothingness. I was feeling very low and felt like I was going down the rabbit hole of this very depressive period of my life and I couldn’t escape it, so I wrote a song about it.
Can you walk us through your creative process for writing “Dark Matter”?
I started off with the lyrics first – I think it might have even started off as a poem – and then transferred to producing it. Nothing really special to it, except I do write/produce in random spurts of energy, so it may have taken me a few days to write the whole song, go over it, produce it all, and finally finish it.
What’s your favorite part of the songwriting and recording process?
That moment where it feels like you don’t have to do anything and it all just flows so easily – like the music is guiding you like it knows where to go and you’re just along for the ride.
What has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned in the music industry?
Don’t trust people who will promise you the world. You can’t skip the hard work. Cliché, but it’s about the journey, not the destination.
What are your future plans or upcoming projects?
Well, I have a new song coming out on December 8th called “Banshee”. I wrote this song about a year ago and finished it then but never thought I was finished with it, and have been going back to re-do it, add on to it, etc, but I recently figured out that it was sort of beautiful the way that it was. I really adore this song and I’m so excited for it to be out in the world.
Lastly, is there anything you’d like to say to your fans and supporters?
Thank you for all that you do, no matter how big or small. Every ounce of support means the world to me, especially just starting out in the industry and trying to find my footing. I’m eternally grateful and my heart is full.
