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 :)
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER’S 100 BEST SONGS OF 2023 - SONGS 100-51
It's that time again for my picks of the best songs of this year. As usual, I’ve put all my picks on one playlist for easy listening. I hope everyone reading enjoys the music I highlighted in this year-end roundup post. My next post featuring my top album picks is coming up next week. So, without further ado, these are The Reclusive Blogger’s picks for the 100 Best Songs of 2023…
That’s it that’s my list for my 2023! Stay tuned for my top albums from this year! Also, sound off in the comments below on your favorite songs from the year?
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER’S 100 BEST SONGS OF 2023 - SONGS 50-1
It's that time again for my picks of the best songs of this year. As usual, I’ve put all my picks on one playlist for easy listening. I hope everyone reading enjoys the music I highlighted in this year-end roundup post. My next post featuring my top album picks is coming up next week. So, without further ado, these are The Reclusive Blogger’s picks for the 100 Best Songs of 2023…
That’s it that’s my list for my 2023! Stay tuned for my top albums from this year! Also, sound off in the comments below on your favorite songs from the year?
A LITTLE MORE ON… EM BEIHOLD, THE EARNEST POP SINGER-SONGWRITER BEHIND “NUMB LITTLE BUG”
A LITTLE MORE ON… EM BEIHOLD, THE EARNEST POP SINGER-SONGWRITER BEHIND “NUMB LITTLE BUG”
Em Beihold is currently opening up for Lewis CapALdi and RECENTLY HOPPED ON a collaboration with Lauren Spencer Smith and GAYLE.
Em Beihold is not a fan of rollercoasters because they make her sad. I think… Well, it's a statement she makes loud and clear in the song Rollercoasters Make Me Sad. The track is effusive with punchy melodies and dulcet harmonies, while Em's lyrics often capture dissonant emotions through snappy metaphors. Here Beihold has carved out a niche with songs like the previously mentioned track, Rollercoasters Make Me Sad, Groundhog Day, 12345, and the massive hit Numb Little Bug. Rollercoasters Make Me Sad adds another ace to Beihold's songwriting book with how she succinctly captures feelings and a moment in time. It also should be on your Spotify or Apple Music rotation and playlists if it's not. It was back in March when I got to chat with Em during a presser, learning a little more about her as an artist and songwriter, how her songwriting process works, and even a bit about the inspiration behind her songs, which most of her songs touch on modern-day anxieties, relationships, and mental health/illness. She was also excited to be touring with Lewis Capaldi, a tour she is currently on. I asked her about working with Stephen Sanchez and how turning Until I Found Her into a duet came about. The song has her singing from the girl's perspective. One of the biggest collabs all started from Em liking his reels and her manager noticing, thinking they should do a song together. So, to my fellow creatives, this is a gentle reminder. You never know what might happen and who might see it. Keep creating, and do not be afraid to shoot your shot. I also asked about her future collaborations. Em said her dream collab is with Regina Spektor, an artist she says has been at the fiber of her work and artistry since day one. While Em may not be too fond of rollercoasters, she is currently on the wildest one of her life, and it's only getting started.
Stream “Eggs In The Backseat” out now on all DSPs
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER’S TEN BEST ALBUMS OF 2022
Hey geeks and music freaks! It's time for year-end music roundups. The first one up is the best songs from the year. Me like so many, find comfort within music. These are my picks for the 10 Best albums of 2022…
I hope you had time to read and ponder the first list. If not, you can catch up and read my picks for the 100 best songs of 2022 here and here. Below are my top ten picks for best albums of the year. In a year that was full of incredibly diverse soundscapes from a plethora of artists. From breakout artists tipping the needle to your establishment acts pushing their artistry. It was initially hard to narrow down to only ten albums from the entire year. That’s why I made an extended version that featured my top 15 albums in an Instagram reel video which you can view by clicking here. But first, let’s dive into that top ten.
This is the list of albums for my 2022! Also, what were your favorite albums this year? Let me know about by dropping a comment below or through a tweet!
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER’S 100 BEST SONGS OF 2022 - PART TWO
Hey geeks and music freaks! It's time for year-end music roundups. The first one up is the best songs from the year. Me like so many, find comfort within music. So I hope you can find some new songs that aim to to that as well. These are my (aka TRB) picks for the 100 Best Songs of 2022… Part two
Hey geeks and music freaks! It's time for year-end music roundups. The first one up is the best songs from the year. While 2022 personally has been up and down, ultimately leading to lots of growth. Like many, it has also been ripe with change and uncertainty for many reasons. I know the one thing many of us have come to rely on— and that's the comfort of music. The caliber of music, the creativity, and the sheer amount of music that came out this year— 2022 was calling for a supersized version. So, I hope you enjoy the first of a few year-end roundups coming in the next couple of weeks. These are my picks for the 100 Best Songs of 2022…
50. Bryce Vine - “Moonrock”
49. Noah Cyrus - “I Just Want A Lover”
48. Suelgi - “28 Reasons”
47. SOHN - “Segre”
46. Halsey - “So Good”
45. Dove Cameron - "Boyfriend"
44. Doechii - "Persuasive"
43. Denzel Curry (Feat. slowthai) - "Zatoichi"
42. Dry Cleaning - "Anna Calls From The Arctic"
41. Polyphia (Feat. Steve Vai) - “Ego Death”
40. The Weeknd - "Sacrifice"
39. Willow - “curious/furious”
38. Sabrina Carpenter - “Fast Times“
37. Empress Of - "Save Me"
36. Rina Swayawayna - "This Hell"
35. Aespa - "Illusion"
34. FKA Twigs (feat. The Weeknd) - "Tears In The Club"
33. Yeah Yeah Yeahs (Feat. Perfume Genius) - "Spitting Off The Edge of The World"
32. MUNA - "What I Want"
31. Conan Gray - "Disaster"
30. The 1975 - “All I Need To Hear”
29. Maggie Rogers - "That's Where I Am"
28. Bad Bunny - "Titi Me Pregunto"
27. IYLA - “FOH”
26. Ab-Soul - "Do Better"
25. Yard Act - "The Overload"
24. LE SSERAFIM - "ANTIFRAGILE"
23. Florence + The Machine - "King"
22. Bloc Party - "In Situ"
21. Mothica - “Sensitive”
20. Franz Ferdinand - “Curious”
19. Harry Styles - “As It Was”
18. Caroline Palochek - "Billions"
17. MICHELLE - "Pose"
16. Soccer Mommy - "Shotgun"
15. Kendrick Lamar - “N95”
14. Mitski - "Working For The Knife"
13. Lizzo - “About Damn Time”
12. Phoebe Bridgers - "Sidelines"
11. Everything, Everything - "Pizza Boy"
10. Placebo - “Beautiful James”
9. NewJeans - “Hype Boy”
8. Wet Leg - "Ur Mum"
7. Paramore - "This Is Why"
6. Bastille - “Hope For The Future”
5. Rosalia - “SOAKO”
4. Beyoncé -“Alien Superstar”
3. Arctic Monkeys - “Body Paint”
2. Nova Twins - "Cleopatra"
1. My Chemical Romance - "The Foundations Of Decay"
That’s it that’s my list for my 2022! Stay tuned for my top albums and music videos! Also, let me know what your favorite songs were this year? Is there anything on this list you disagree about? Let me know about by dropping a comment in the comments section or through emoji.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER’S 100 BEST SONGS OF 2022 - PART ONE
Hey geeks and music freaks! It's time for year-end music roundups. The first one up is the best songs from the year. Me like so many, find comfort within music. So I hope you can find some new songs that aim to to that as well. These are my (aka TRB) picks for the 100 Best Songs of 2022…
Hey geeks and music freaks! It's time for year-end music roundups. The first one up is the best songs from the year. While 2022 personally has been up and down, ultimately leading to lots of growth. Like many, it has also been ripe with change and uncertainty for many reasons. I know the one thing many of us have come to rely on—and that's the comfort of music. The caliber of music, the creativity, and the sheer amount of music that came out this year— 2022 was calling for a supersized version. So, I hope you enjoy the first of a few year-end roundups coming in the next couple of weeks. These are my picks for the 100 Best Songs of 2022…
100. LATTO - “It’s Givin’”
99. EDITORS - “Karma Climb”
98. Em Beihold - “Numb Little Bug”
97. Kae Temptest (Feat. Lianne La Havas) - "No Prizes"
96. Labrinth + Zendaya (Euphoria Season 2 Soundtrack) - “I’m Tired”
95. Ralph Pelleymounter - “Steady Love”
94. Kimbra - “replay!”
93. Carly Rae Jepsen - “Beach House”
92. Gayle - "abcdefu"
91. BIM - "O.T.R"
90. Tove Styrke - “Cool Me Down”
89. Tove Lo - “How Long” From (Euphoria Season 2 Soundtrack)
88. Jazmine Sullivan - “Roster”
87. Eddie Benjamin (Feat. Alessia Cara) - “Only You”
86. Hope Tala - “Stayed At The Party”
85. Charlie Puth - "Light Switch"
84. Ethel Cain - “A House In Nebraska”
83. Hermanos Gutierrez - “Thunderbird”
82. Pink Pantheress -"Picture In My Mind"
81. Arkells + Lights - "Human Being"
80. Meghan Thee Stallion - "Her"
79. Freddie Gibbs - “Dark Hearted”
78. Kings Elliott - “Butterfly Pen”
77. Stormzy - “This Is What I Mean”
76. Omar Apollo - “Evergreen”
75. Joesef - "Just Come Home With Me Tonight"
74. Joji - “Glimpse Of Us”
73. Sophie Ellis-Bextor + Wuh Oh - "Hypnotized"
72. Paige Bea - "4x4"
71. Stromae - “L’enfer”
70. Allison Ponthier - “Hollywood Forever Cemetery”
69. Jonah Yano - “leslianne”
68. Boys World - “So What”
67. Nina Nesbitt - “Pressure Makes Diamonds”
66. Maneskin - “The Loneliest”
65. Ed Sheeran (Feat. Lil’ Baby) - “2step”
64. Slipknot - “Yen”
63. Weyes Blood - “Grapevine”
62. Twice - “Talk That Talk”
61. ARO - "Against Mine"
60. Camila Cabello + WILLOW - “Psychofreak”
59. Giant Rooks - "Morning Blue"
58. Spiritbox - "Rotoscope"
57. Adele - "Oh My God"
56. J-Hope - "Arson"
55. Billie Eillish - "TV"
54. Dave - "Starlight"
53. (G)I-DLE - “My Bag”
52. Steve Lacy - "Bad Habit"
51. FLO - "Cardboard Box"
INTERVIEW WITH... WISTFUL POP SINGER-SONGWRITER KINGS ELLIOT
Kings Elliot is not your typical pop singer and songwriter, while many of today's pop artists turn to a bass-heavy, synth-based sound that is often reminiscent of the 80s and catered to dance floors & clubs. Elliot skirts all of this. On her new EP, Bored Of The Circus, the artist creates a palette of wistfully beautiful cinematic stories set against ethereal pop. Visit The Reclusive Blogger and click the link to read my interview with Kings Elliot
Kings Elliot is not your typical pop singer and songwriter, while many of today's pop artists turn to a bass-heavy, synth-based sound that is often reminiscent of the 80s and catered to dance floors & clubs. Elliot finds inspiration for her sound and lyrics from Disney (she divulges her favorite below), her small hometown in Switzerland, her struggles with mental health, and music from the 1940s & 1950s. On her new EP, ‘Bored Of The Circus’, the artist creates a palette of wistfully beautiful cinematic stories set against ethereal pop. You can read the interview I did with Elliot below. I asked about her childhood, music influences, songwriting process, and more.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Hi, Kings Elliot! Thanks for taking time out with me and TRB for this interview. My first question is how has your 2022 been so far both creatively and personally?
KINGS ELLIOT: Of course!! Thank you for taking the time!
2022 has truly been my favourite year on this planet so far! I've had the privilege of going on my first ever tour, and that being a stadium tour with Imagine Dragons which was just absolutely mind-blowing. I've released my second EP 'Bored Of The Circus' which I'm so very proud of and I'm about to lock myself in the studio to write and produce new music which I could not be more excited about.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Can you talk about how you got start in music? Was music and playing music something that was always present in your life? Particularly growing up?
KINGS ELLIOT: I've always sang and I always made up my own songs, ever since I was in pre-school. Now I know I was 'writing' and it just never left me. It's always been my greatest coping tool and it will never not be that for me.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Growing up in a small Swiss town, How do you think growing up in a small town has shaped your artistry? If it has at all?
KINGS ELLIOT: Because I was kind of the only one in my immediate surrounding chasing this pretty unrealistic dream, I had to learn to prove myself and become very headstrong at a very young age. No one ever encouraged me or said it was a good idea. Many (including myself) doubted that I could make it my profession one day.
I think that made me more dedicated than maybe someone who slipped into it more easily. I finished my education in Switzerland, I worked and saved up money, relocated to a different country and I just kept pushing for it.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: I’d like to ask you about your latest EP, ‘Bored Of The Circus’ and the overall creative process for the EP? How has your creative process adapted or grown over the years?
KINGS ELLIOT: It's honestly always different. I find that question hard because it's kind of like an ever-flowing process. I write down lyrics and melodies randomly when I feel something. My main collaborator Conway (halfrhymes) and I are in constant contact and exchange thoughts and ideas all the time. When I get into the studio we can then hone in on it all and have fun creating the world around the words and melodies. It's always different and it's my favourite part.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: I love the haunting, melodious almost lilting quality your song “Butterfly Pen” has. Can you delve into the backstory of the track and talk a bit more the visuals as well?
KINGS ELLIOT: The lyrics in this song are my favourite lyrics of the whole EP. They describe the state of a world that has turned grey after the hurt I've experienced. In the background you sometimes hear a little birdy sing and thats kevin, a small baby bird I rescued and looked after for a week before handing him to wildlife rehabilitation. I love that he has a place in this song forever. The visuals to the song capture the sadness and helplessness one can feel while in a depressive episode where even leaving the bed is a very difficult thing to do.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Where tackling themes of mental health and mental health in love and relationships in your storytelling something that you naturally gravitated towards? How do you make sure that you maintain a healthy balance between creative endeavors and self-care?
KINGS ELLIOT: It's what I've personally mostly struggled with for a lot of my life, so it was natural for me to process that trauma in the songs I write. Making these songs automatically improves my self-care but I'm definitely still working on a balanced and healthy self-preservation..
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: I’ve read that you grew up watching Disney films and that they heavily influence your music. What are some of your favorites or biggest influences?
KINGS ELLIOT: 'Dumbo' is my favourite Disney movie. 'Baby mine' playing in the scene of dumbo's mum cradling dumbo through the metal bars has me in absolute pieces every time. The song is so gorgeous and so sad, and since it was made in the 40s it has that beautiful feel from that era which I love so much. I started listening to more songs from that era and realised quickly that the 40s and 50s are my favourite years of music and it's now where I draw most of my inspiration from
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What has it been like touring with such an established act like Imagine Dragons?
KINGS ELLIOT: It was absolutely mind-blowing. They are out of this world performers, the show is insane and to make it even better they are all so kind and welcoming. I had no idea I would be accepted with such open arms and honestly being given the opportunity to sing in stadium with one of the biggest bands in the world is an experience I will remember for the rest of my life and I don't expect it to be topped by anything else!
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What fictional character do you think would most identify with the Kings Elliot soundscape and aesthetic?
KINGS ELLIOT: Definitely Dumbo!! He is an outcast, he feels alienated from everyone else and the one person that loved him the most gets taken away from him. He needs some soothing songs and a world to escape to. Makes me cry thinking of it.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: If you were to put one of your lyrics onto a message in a bottle, what lyric would you choose and why?
KINGS ELLIOT: 'When I'm breaking apart I won't call it a weakness I'll stumble and fall I don't care if they see it.' - everyone who's struggling and feels ashamed of how their mind works needs to hear that.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What’s one album you could listen to over and over and from start to finish?
KINGS ELLIOT: Banks - Goddess
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: To end, What’s next on the horizon for you, Kings Elliot?
KINGS ELLIOT: More tours and more music! Once I'm back home from the European tour I am on right now I will lock myself in the studio and I can't wait for that!! I also have something really cool coming out in the next few weeks that I can't announce yet but it's a huge bucket list moment for me!!
Follow Kings Elliot:
Instagram | TikTok | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music | Website
Stream Kings Elliot -“Bored Of The Circus”
MAGGIE LINDEMANN - “SABOTAGE” - SONG REVIEW
Maggie Lindemann is one of the fierce femmes from pop punk's newest evolution. Her latest is the introspective single Self Sabotage, a track steeping in angst and nostalgia. Lyrically, Lindemann goes through the inner workings of her mind and her bad habit of being her own worst enemy. The song is off her new album, SUCKERPUNCH. This album takes you on her emotional journey of healing from the toxicity of a bad relationship. I got to speak with her about this new project during a small presser. When I asked her what is one thing people are generally surprised to find out about you, Seeing how social media can be a veneer for many things, including people. Lindemann's response was quite like what many of us would say, that she is more than what she is perceived to be online. Sometimes all the versatility we have as humans get lost in the social media clutter. So for fans of Maggie's, her latest album, SUCKERPUNCH, is truly only the tip of the iceberg.
STREAM MAGGIE LINDEMANN’S NEW ALBUM SUCKERPUNCH HERE