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 :)
BASTILLE ELECTRIFIES L.A.’S ART DECO WILTERN THEATRE WITH THRILLING POP NOSTALGIA
The London pop-rockers brought their only date of the Bad Blood X tour in America to Los Angeles to celebrate the tenth anniversary of their debut album Bad Blood.
You know a show is one for the record books when you hear attendees speaking about it as soon as it is over, not in sadness so much but in the mix of utter joy (no, pardoning the pun here), and we cannot wait to do this again. It was that good. The chatter from the only Bad Blood X American tour date held in the very apropos art deco downtown L.A. Wiltern theater brought the masses and wrapped around the corner. After all, we were celebrating something big. It had been ten years since. This band, our band, had released the album Bad Blood, which changed their lives and, for many of us, our lives too. So, picking Los Angeles to celebrate this occasion was perfect. They got their record deal here, their first hit, Pompeii, had its music video filmed here, and of course, Dan mentioned later on at the gig he met his art hero, David Lynch. So many pivotal things happened here, and now a return that included a sold-out gig.
While rumors of a surprise opening act flickered about, ultimately, it was only rumored. The Los Angeles date of Bad Blood X belonged to Bastille, who took to the Wiltern stage (to a boisterous crowd, I might add) at an early 8:30 p.m. start time for a twenty-one song set, which saw the band play the entirety of their debut album Bad Blood.
The venue was buzzing with energy as we all waited, with bated breath, for the band to appear. It seemed like the last Los Angeles show was forever ago (not last year) as Bastille kicked the night off to a host of spirited screams and applause, launching into the song that changed it all for Pompeii. It is also worth noting that they usually close out with this one. Next, the band launched into the first songs of the record, which included the single Things We Lost In The Fire, a song noted for its haunting melodies and somber-sounding heavy Tom drums, the sinister-sounding synth-driven Bad Blood, and rarely heard gems like Weight of Living PT. 1. Then tracks like Daniel In The Den, and Get Home added a softness to the setlist and an angelic quality as both songs reverberated in the room. On cue, as the opening notes of Oblivion began, so did the lights from everyone's phones, illuminating the darkened Art Deco theatre. It was a special moment, but honestly, the entire night was a special moment as there was such a feeling of togetherness, joy, laughter, celebrating music, and the good that music can bring. You see, the thing about Bastille shows is that it's a place where you can be yourself and feel comfort in that. That's because it all starts with the band and seeing how much they have grown and evolved in the ten years since releasing Bad Blood and become better artists themselves, Including seeing just how comfortable and how fun Dan now has performed onstage.
After the band performed the first part of the show, they returned to the stage for the encore. They played a round of songs from albums released after their debut. Bastille finally played No Angels. A track from one of their OPH mixtapes, (with Bim singing Ella Eyres spot and killing it), The Draw, club bangers Million Pieces, and WHAT YOU GONNA DO? were also performed. The latter two tracks had the crowd head banging and going insanely. Shut Off The Lights was the perfect end to a beautiful night. The Wiltern felt alive and electric with excitement and happiness. You could hear people chatting about this gig on their way out leaving. All the attendees that night fully realized that this was one not to miss, and they did not. Knowing how much Bastille and their team put into these shows, giving their all, for us means a lot and probably more than they will ever know. From the concert interludes (which featured music video snippets and BTS footage) to the performances, the stage setup, and small onstage details (we see you wolf hoodie and street lamps). Bastille with the Bad Blood X tour leaned into the nostalgia fittingly.
You can check out my photo gallery from the gig below!
INTRODUCING: THE BOMBASTIC ALTERNATIVE POP QUINTET THE SCARLET OPERA
INTRODUCING: THE SCARLET OPERA, THE BOMBASTIC ALTERNATIVE POP QUINTET
If you have not heard of The Scarlet Opera, the exciting quintet fusing Pop, Rock, and, yes, even Opera. Lyricist and frontman Luka Bazulka (whose natural grandeur is ever present and charming), with Colin Kenrick on Keys, Daniel Zuker on Bass, Justin Siegal on Drums, & Chance Taylor on Guitars. The glue holding the band together is friendship and identity. Identity, friendships, relationships, sexuality, love, loss, band life, and the music industry are major themes often explored within their lyrics.
Last month I got a few minutes to speak with The Scarlet Opera during a presser. I asked what the go-to karaoke songs were for everyone, and a fun type of chaos ensued. It seemed like ‘Skyfall’ by Adele was the overall favorite. You could feel the excitement from the guys. They were on the cusp of dropping their now-released new EP “Comedy”, the high of their first late-night tv performance on James Corden, and touring. There was a joy and bombast felt through the screen during the presser. Well aware of comparisons to their predecessors, they were flattered by it all. In an industry where bands and artists can get jaded quickly, it was refreshing to see. Yet, I found it more exciting to see a band that has finally begun to put the puzzle pieces together with their sound finding a niche in the big wide world of Pop music.
