INTERVIEW WITH NEWCOMER POP SINGER-SONGWRITER ISA BRUDER
I got to chat with up-and-coming Brazilian-American pop artist Isa Bruder, whose rich vocals, emotional storytelling, and layered harmonics are just in their infancy. I asked Isa about her songwriter, culture, and what’s to come this year in an interview, which you can read below.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Thanks for answering a few questions for The Reclusive Blogger. How has your 2023
been?
ISA BRUDER: Happy 2024 to you and your readers! I am really grateful for 2023 -- I got to travel to new places, spend time with my family and friends, go to incredible concerts, and write lots of music. :)
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Can you talk a bit about your background and culture and how that encompasses your music?
ISA BRUDER: Sure! I grew up in São Paulo, Brazil. In addition to loving our Samba's swing and percussive musicality, Brazilian people have a reputation for being really fierce music fans -- and I definitely think that passion is embedded in me. The crowd's joy at a concert in Brazil is contagious. It can sometimes take years or even decades for a musical act to make its way to South America, so we're extra excited and grateful to finally witness that music in real life. The energy really is on another level #ComeToBrazil iykyk
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: How did you normally approach writing and recording as a singer-songwriter?
ISA BRUDER: I am constantly writing feelings and concepts in my notes (notes app girlies rise), so in preparation for a session I usually pull a couple ideas from there that particularly resonate with me. Then I catch up with my cowriter(s), and we talk about our feelings / what kind of song we want to write! Sometimes a producer is included in these conversations / during the session if I have the luxury of being in a physical room with one -- most of my music I write through Zoom since most of my collaborators live in LA! I love writing music with people, as opposed to alone, because I find it takes me out of my own head and helps weed out the good ideas from the less interesting ones.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What's the best piece of advice another musician ever gave you?
ISA BRUDER: Know who you are, because if you don't people will try to tell you. Believe in your vision!
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What's your process for dealing with performance anxiety?
ISA BRUDER: I actually find a couple of hours before my show more stressful than being on stage -- I wouldn't say I really get performance anxiety. During the hours before I'm stressing about logistics, if my band is gonna arrive on time, if my outfit is creasing on the subway, if people are actually gonna show up, if I'll remember all the lyrics... by the time I'm about to go onstage, I'm more so relieved that I don't have to think about all that anymore! Performing is my favorite part of being an artist, so I look forward to it and try to book as many shows as I can.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Do you have a favorite lyric that you’ve written or that you wish you had written?
ISA BRUDER: I have "I wish I wrote that" moments all the time! Today, what comes to mind is What I Want by MUNA. "That's what I want, there's nothing wrong with what I want!" So simple yet so affirming, it's a perfect pop song in my opinion.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Since we’re coming up to the end of the year for 2023 do you have a favorite album and/or song of the year?
ISA BRUDER: My favorite album of 2023 is without a doubt Raye's My 21st Century Blues! She moves across genres and themes so freely -- but still with such a clear vision and identity. I love the production on the record, I love her voice, and I love her honesty and vulnerability. She recently released a My 21st Century Symphony version of the album, which is recorded live from Royal Albert Hall with The Heritage Orchestra. It's so beautiful, you guys gotta check it out!
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Lastly, what is up next for you Isa in 2024?
ISA BRUDER: Hmm... I'd love to play a show somewhere other than New York this year since I've only ever played with my band in the city. In a greater sense, my dream and hope for 2024 is that the music I release reaches people who resonate with and enjoy it :)
