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 :)
INTERVIEW WITH PNW-BRED PUNK SINGER VERA BLOOM
Meet Nashville-based and Pacific Northwest-raised Punk Artist Vera Bloom. Her vibrant, raucous, and melodic punch of Popish-Punk music whispers echoes of PNW grunge and the merits of the Riot grrrl scene. The artist recently released her second EP titled “It’s Me” on September 30th. We chatted about her music, what influences it, and some of her favorite music of the year so far. You can check out the interview below.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: I’d like to start off with an icebreaker question. Would you consider yourself more of a Morning Bird or Night Owl?
VERA BLOOM: Morning bird!
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Now that your EP, It’s Me has been out for a few days now. What has the response been like? Have you had a chance to soak in it? What song was the most difficult for you to write?
VERA BLOOM: The response has been wonderful! I am definitely still soaking it all in, and there's still so much I want to tell people about the songs, but yes, overall the response has been great and people have been really excited and supportive about the EP. Hmm, the song that was most difficult was probably “Boxes.” It wasn't emotionally difficult, it just didn't flow as easily as the others did. Usually, I can write a song in a couple hours, but with “Boxes” I had written an incomplete version and set it aside for almost an entire year. I was browsing my voice memos last winter and came across it and decided to completely rework it.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: There have been some comparisons to grunge and many of those icons. How do you bridge the gap between honoring the icons and the sound of Washington with your unique identity?
VERA BLOOM: I don't really try to sound grunge and I think that's how I honor it? The older I get the more important my hometown and upbringing becomes to me. The more I find myself embracing it all and it helps me understand who I am better. I think because I've been self-reflecting a lot on this over the years and also on a mission to be authentic and stay true to myself, my unique identity is shining through but simultaneously so is the sound of Washington and the PNW.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What’s a typical writing and recording process like for you?
VERA BLOOM: I'm constantly writing down little snippets of lyrics and melodies. But, I can usually tell when an actual song needs to take form, and that generally takes me 2-3 hours to mostly finish. I write most of the song, a couple verses and a chorus, and take it to Garageband where I start working on the full band arrangement. They're really crappy demos, haha, but it's an important piece to see where the song can go before taking it to real-life human players. I give this demo to the band and we start rehearsing it, playing it live and shows, and then eventually take it to the studio to get it recorded. That's been the process for the last 2 EPs!
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Where do you normally draw inspiration from as a musician and songwriter?
VERA BLOOM: My songs are pretty much always about my life and the feelings, fears, loves, and emotions involved. Musically, I just see what comes out while I'm writing and it really is a big flow and improvisation. The band I like to play with definitely helps produce the songs organically. They bring tones and rhythms to the table which help the arrangement of the song evolve.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Who were some of your musical heroes growing up? And have they changed now?
VERA BLOOM: I really liked Sheryl Crow growing up. She was the first artist I saw myself in, so she's pretty monumental for me. As I've grown, my tastes have definitely evolved, and I've grown a lot as a person, and, today I resonate a lot with Joan Jett, Debbie Harry, and Donita Sparks.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What is your favorite album or song of 2023?
VERA BLOOM: I'm one of those terrible people that listen to a lot of older music so, I don't think I have a new favorite. One of my favorite albums over the past few years is Catherine Wheel's Ferment from 1992...I know I'm terrible.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Throwing in another fun one here... If you could live in any fictional universe, which would you choose?
VERA BLOOM: I'd love to experience Willa Wonka's chocolate factory.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What has been one of the most rewarding experiences of your career so far?
VERA BLOOM: Opening for L7 last October for two nights of their big 30th Anniversary of Bricks Are Heavy was definitely a highlight and extremely rewarding. This release has also been rewarding and, I'm so grateful for the people supporting me and enjoying the music!
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: And, lastly, what's next on the horizon for you?
VERA BLOOM: Rinse and repeat, baby. 2024 will be a year of live performance and writing more music and I can't wait!
INTERVIEW WITH… SOUTH AFRICAN POP NEWCOMER WILL LINLEY
INTERVIEW WITH… SOUTH AFRICAN POP NEWCOMER WILL LINLEY
WILL LINLEY
Pop newcomer and Island Records artist Will Linley took some time out and spoke with The Reclusive Blogger about his new project and song “Last Call”, his influences, and artistical self, and growing up in Cape Town, South Africa, and the vibrant music scene there. You can read his interview below and check out his song and music video for “Last Call”.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Hi, How are you doing, Will? Thanks for the interview time!
WILL LINLEY: Thank you so much for having me, I’m doing so so well!
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Can you talk about your origin story and how that relates to the artist you are today?
WILL LINLEY: I grew up in Cape Town, South Africa, and music has always been a part of my upbringing. From my earliest days as a kid, I remember putting on shows for my dad when he’d come home from work or singing in all the choirs I could possibly be a part of. Music defined my childhood and I think that’s a huge reason why I’m doing music today.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What was the pivotal moment in music that rang the bell for you to choose this career?
WILL LINLEY: When I met the guys I make most of my music with, David Balshaw and Bubele Booi. We just connected from the first moment and they showed me how easy it was to create with a sense of freedom when you create music with your friends.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Let's talk about the single "Last Call". What was the inspiration behind it? And how did the music video come together?
WILL LINLEY: I wanted to create a song that everyone could sing and dance to, in the rooms, kitchens, or at a party! When dreaming of the music video, I wanted to incorporate my fans as much as possible and so I reached out to them and got 50 fans to be in the video as extras. It was such a fun day and I’m so glad we were able to pull it off because they made the video so much more special.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Can we talk about your typical creative process when writing? Did your normal writing/recording process change when making 'kill all my feelings', particularly since it was your major label debut?
WILL LINLEY: The process stayed more or less the same. The only thing that we had to work with was doing everything online over Zoom! That was the biggest challenge.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: How has hailing from such a culturally rich place like Cape Town, South Africa influenced your sound or aesthetic, if at all? And what is the music scene like there?
WILL LINLEY: The music scene is bumping here in South Africa! There’s such a rich and diverse space here that is truly so special. The pop scene is still growing, but it’ll come! We gonna make it happen.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What three words would you use to define your artistic self?
WILL LINLEY: Energetic, fun, “happy-sad”
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Recommend a playlist or podcast that has been 'on repeat"?
WILL LINLEY: “On Being” by Krista Tippett
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: And for my last question, what's up next for you in 2023?
WILL LINLEY: Lots more music and lots more shows!
Thanks for the interview time, Will! You can learn more about Will Linley below!
Stream “Last Call” on all DSP’s here
INTERVIEW WITH LONDON’S MODERN DARK POP chanteuse LUX LYALL
INTERVIEW WITH LONDON’S MODERN DARK POP CHANTEUSE LUX LYALL
London-Based Dark Pop Artist LUX LYALL bridges the gap between modern pop, early 90s grunge girls like PJ Harvey,and torch songs. All while incorporating her multicultural roots and life stories. “Draw Blood” is her latest release and the second single from her forthcoming release, “Runaway Bridge”. The track's orgin story tells the story of a abusive relationship with Lyall ultimately finding the song a difficult but cathartic experience. In an interview I did with Lux late last year, we talked about the single, Christmas Holidays, her favorite record of 2022, and more all of which you can read below. THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Thanks for chatting with me at TRB, Lux. To start, How are you doing? How was 2022 for you both professionally and personally?
LUX LYALL: I'm doing good thanks! Personally, 2022 was the best year I’ve had since I was a small child probably. Professionally I’m trying to pull things up to speed. I’ve had a lot of changes post releasing my debut album VAMP in 2020. I'm taking on practically all aspects of my work myself now so I have more control over how things go and are released. It's hard but it's what I want.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What did you get up to over the holiday season?
LUX LYALL: I was lucky enough to spend Christmas and New Year’s in Cyprus where I grew up with my sister and my fiancé. We hung out on her farm with her horses, dogs, and multiple cats. It was pretty perfect.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Continuing on this theme, do you have a favorite Holiday themed song or movie that gives you immediate warmth and nostalgia?
LUX LYALL: River by Joni Mitchell is my favourite holiday song. It makes me cry but I love it. This year we watched Black Christmas, I think that’s now a tradition.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Moving forward, Tell me about your background before you were an artist? How growing up in a multicultural family and being multi-racial yourself has possibly influenced your sound and music? Also, has music also played a role in your life?
LUX LYALL: Music has played a huge role in my life. It was the first thing I was really passionate about and obsessed with. It still is despite being kind of coloured by the more I learn about the industry-heh
Being from a multicultural multiracial family is a dominating part of who I am. It's influenced my work in many ways, mostly the consistent sense of displacement. I didn’t grow up with people who were like me, and my parents are first-generation immigrants to a more western world and culture, so we were very different and detached while I was growing up. We're extremely close now but I know me trying to figure myself out in situations where I didn’t know anyone like me gave them a lot of grief.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: I would like to talk about your new song, “Draw Blood”. Can you talk about the track’s origin story? And how the recording and writing process was like?
LUX LYALL: The origin story is difficult to talk about. I referred to it briefly not thinking that it would be the main takeaway from the song (which I guess in some way is something I need to address and unpack…)
I had a lot of bad relationships. Some of them were emotionally and mentally manipulative, in one instance I was physically hurt by a partner. Draw Blood
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What fictional character do you think would most identify with the Lux Lyall sound and aesthetic?
LUX LYALL: It would be a girls’ gang composed of the following: Audrey Horne-Twin Peaks, Lux Lisbon-The Virgin Suicides, Alabama Beggs - Save me the Waltz, Lily Bart-The House of Mirth, Norma Desmond - Sunset Boulevard & Jennifer North - Valley of the Dolls.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: And my last two questions, what is your pick for the best album of 2022?
LUX LYALL: Preachers Daughter by Ethel Cain
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: And... Is there anything else you would like to add? Thanks again, Lux!
LUX LYALL: Thank you for taking the time to talk to me. My second album will be out this year and I’m looking forward to playing more live shows again!
STREAM LUX LYALLS’ NEW SINGLE “DRAW BLOOD” OUT NOW
INTERVIEW WITH… TIKTOK BEDROOM POP ARTIST ADDISON GRACE
Salt Lake City-based musician Addison Grace found not only a common community through music and their voice on TikTok. Grace impeccably crafts emotionally driven bedroom indie-pop songs that often explore the young queer experience, unrequited love, coming of age, and the uncertainties within it all. Addison’s latest EP, “Things That Are Bad For Me” is out now, along with the music video for “Pretty Girl”. You can read my interview with the artist below. In it, we chat about songwriting, finding inspiration, TikTok, touring, and much more
Salt Lake City-based musician Addison Grace found not only a common community through music and their voice on TikTok. Grace impeccably crafts emotionally driven bedroom indie-pop songs that often explore the young queer experience, unrequited love, coming of age, and the uncertainties within it all. Addison’s latest EP, “Things That Are Bad For Me” is out now, along with the music video for “Pretty Girl”. You can read my interview with the artist below. In it, we chat about songwriting, finding inspiration, TikTok, touring, and much more.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Hey, Addison! How are you doing, how’s your 2022 been so far?
ADDISON GRACE: It’s been pretty busy! I released my first EP, ”Immaturing”, this year after touring with Cavetown and Tessa Violet. After that, I was traveling during the summer to write and record my second EP, ”Things That Are Bad for Me” that’s coming out November 11th. I also went on my first headline tour which was so exciting!
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Can you talk about your origin story a bit and how that relates to your career as a musician today?
ADDISON GRACE: I was raised by a single mom who would put me and my siblings in any and every sport and/or performing art. It was her way of keeping us busy and letting us find what interested us while she would be working. The only thing that ever stuck for me was singing. Growing up I joined nearly every school and church choir. When I was 13, my brother bought a ukulele while in France. I ended up “stealing” it from him because I had seen recent videos of YouTubers making their own songs on the ukulele. From then on I had started to do the same, making original music with the ukulele, and started my own little online pages too. I think because I had a mom that was so passionate about me finding what I loved is why I am and able to be a singer-songwriter today.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Let’s talk about your new single ‘Pretty Girl’. What was the recording and writing process like? The inspiration for this new single?
ADDISON GRACE: “Pretty Girl” was written in Nashville with one of my favorite co-writers, Charli Adams, who’s also an incredible artist. I told her about my gender transition and how I had dated someone before as a girl. This person, in my mind, was my soulmate. I was frustrated because there was a chance for us to get back together but I had made the self discovery that I’m transgender and I knew they weren’t, and aren’t, attracted to boys. I also told her about how I hated still being loved “as a girl” and seen ”as a girl“ by a lot of people in society and on the internet. I knew I wanted the song to be called “Pretty Girl” but finding the artistic words for those specific feelings had been stumping me. Charli absolutely helped me pull them out and make it into the song it is today. Recording with Andy Seltzer was incredible as well. He absolutely got the sound/production perfect for what I wanted and needed in this song.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Do you have a typical songwriting process or do you just go with the flow and create with inspiration hits?
ADDISON GRACE: Honestly, my songwriting always changes and I’ve never had a specific flow. Usually I just write when I’m feeling an intense emotion. If I end up getting inspiration when I’m somewhere that I can’t write, I just make a note of it for later. Songwriting is genuinely my diary.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What lyric have you written that you feel best represents the world around us right now?
ADDISON GRACE: “Take it off, oxygen, cut your hair, grow it out again. The world will end a couple times.” I think it really represents the stress we all feel with everything going on but it also brings comfort with it. I really love the idea that we can be broken, beaten, and bruised but still find a way back up. Hope and determination are both very powerful.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: How do you feel TikTok will play a part in finding artists and new music in the coming years of the music industry?
ADDISON GRACE: I think we’re gonna get a wave of a lot of new indie artists and experimental ones too. I genuinely hope it leads to people being more creative since TikTok can be relatively easy to go “viral” on. I would hope it just allows for more unknown artists to get their stuff out there fast and also allow for a more diverse set of popular musicians.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Who are some of your favorite new or underground music artists on TikTok?
ADDISON GRACE: I recently discovered @cowgirlb3b0p, also known as ash tuesday, who deserves way more recognition! Her voice, melodies, and songwriting are all incredible. Olive Klug, @oliveklug, is also amazing- I really adore their voice and all the little inflections they put on key lyrics/words. Kevin Atwater, @kevinatwatermusic, is another who’s been picking up speed recently who I just love so much.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What three words would you use to define your artistic self?
ADDISON GRACE: Passionate, peculiar, and self-recognizing.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What has been the most rewarding thing about being a songwriter and having a platform?
ADDISON GRACE: Being able to give people the songs that I needed growing up or still need even now. I’m just so grateful I’ve gotten to a point where I can put words to such intimate, specific feelings. I’m glad others relate to it, it makes me feel less alone and also like my experiences weren’t truly isolating. I like to think that I’m who I needed as a kid and I’m glad I can be that person now for both adults and kids.
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Since Halloween is coming up, what do you have a favorite Halloween film or score?
ADDISON GRACE: I’ve always been a huge fan of Coraline for some reason! I was lucky that it never scared me as a kid, haha!
THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: And lastly, what is up next for you Addison Grace?
ADDISON GRACE: I’m going on tour with Ricky Montgomery who’s a good friend of mine! I’m also releasing my second EP on November 11th called “Things That Are Bad for Me” (OUT NOW). Hopefully soon I’ll be making my first album or headlining again!
