Formula Indie Sessions_ Interview with ISA
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
My earliest memory connected to music is definitely tied to the first Christmas morning I can recall. I was 7 y/o. I remember feeling so excited to open the presents that day. I got a kids keyboard and a Hannah Montana themed guitar and microphone with its stand. I spent all day playing songs by ear on the piano and all night giving a stadium concert in my very tiny balcony –I felt so cool –.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
To be honest, I cannot recall a moment where this passion didn’t already play an enormous part in my life. I believe it’s something that has always found its way to me.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
I started writing this song in 2022. I was living in Boston at the time, studying at Berklee College of Music. Living there offered me so many experiences. But the one that inspired this song was the cultural shock I felt while getting used to a new place. It was my first time living long-term outside my home country, Dominican Republic.
The contrast was very present. As its weather, I found the culture very cold and distant in comparison with the warmth of my own. The sun did not burn the same way, coffee and food tasted weird, wearing multiple layers of clothing as if you’re a warrior, etc. Everything was completely different. Overall, I can’t be more grateful to have lived there because only there, I started looking at my culture in a way that I never did and could have never done if I stayed in D.R.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
In a nutshell, I’d describe my sound as warm, conceptual and deep.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
One of the most relevant things I learned that changed my perspective on making music is that there’s no such thing as “right way” or “wrong way”. There are millions of equations that will get you the specific results you want.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
For my creative process, it is essential to first have a laptop or a phone to record my ideas, without one there’s no way to make tangible what’s in my mind, it’s indispensable these days. Other instruments and softwares that are currently supporting my creative process are my guitar, my MIDI keyboard and LogicProX –of course–.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
Currently I’m listening to several local indie artists from D.R. –which I strongly recommend– such as: Letón Pe, Solo Fernández, Snenie, Martox, Lena Dardelet
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
They influence them deeply. I am a firm believer that music –art– is the mirror of the human experience.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
More than a message or certain emotion, I just hope they get to feel that they’re not alone in whatever experience they may be going through in their life.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
One of the most important lessons music has taught me has to be that this is more spiritual than we know, that we –musicians/artists– are vessels, that our work is to translate and make tangible whatever message we’re receiving from the Creator, as creations ourselves. –not in a religious way but spiritual–.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
In terms of venues, my dream is to create a life-moving performance in my country’s biggest stadium, Felix Sánchez Olympic Stadium. For a “small venue” I dream of performing at NPR Tiny Desk. On the other hand for festivals, I would love to perform at Lollapalooza or Coachella.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
If I had the chance to collaborate with an artist from the past it would definitely be with Michael Jackson, not because of his maximalist performances but the message full of hope he delivered through his work. And, a present artist that I think is one of the most inspiring and interesting of today’s music scene is Rosalía. I just know there’s so much to learn from her, because at the end of the day that is what collaboration is all about: exchanging ideas, learning and creating.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
For my journey up close and my music here’s my linktree<3
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
My dream for the next chapter in my musical journey, rather than a broader audience, is a team I can rely on –to help me slowly but steadily build a sustainable career– . As an indie artist, all the hats one has to wear can go unnoticed and it is a huge responsibility to be present in all of them at once. So my biggest dream would be that. A team I can blindly trust my vision to.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
I want them to discover a deep sense of familiarity/friendship. I want them to feel seen by my work if that makes sense.
