If you haven’t already added it, “Pessimist” should definitely be in your Spotify queue. The new EP from Singer-songwriter Greta Isaac is filled with emotional, yet sassy songs. The song “How To Be A Woman” especially is one of our personal favorites, since it manages to address an important issue and topic while still letting the singer’s vibrant personality shine. Greta Isaac’s sound is fresh and inspiring, and her lyrics are touching and powerful, like the refreshing breeze after a long, rough Winter-lockdown experience.
For today’s ‘Sit In On Friday’ session, we are very excited to present to you an exclusive interview with Greta Isaac, a bright and talented artist!
1. Briefly introduce yourself and what you’re currently working on
I’m Greta Isaac, an artist from Wales. I love ramen, dippy eggs, doing impressions and dressing up. I’ve just released my debut EP ‘Pessimist’ – a collection of songs that I’ve been pulling together over the last couple years. Each song feels like a huge turning point in learning more about myself as a young woman as I figure out my position in the world and how I want to be a part of it. I’m currently in the studio writing and finishing up songs for my next project and putting together a show.
2. What were the key- moments that shaped you into the artist you are today?
Stubbornness, being cat called, learning to trust myself and that time I sang so hard my nose bled (laughs) – But I think as an artist you tend to pull so much inspiration from things that might seem quite irrelevant on the surface. Creating for me is a means of understanding and processing the things I learn through my life. There are songs that I’ve written that I don’t necessarily agree or resonate with anymore but can accept them as feelings that I once had and that are still valid.
3. Where do you want to go next with your music, do you have a certain goal in your career?
I would love to play more shows and festivals. Also, I would really enjoy directing music videos myself and experimenting with fashion and photography a lot more, especially diving into the next phase of my career. I think I’ve definitely relaxed into the kind of music I’m making now, and I don’t really feel restricted to commit to a certain genre or style of writing.
4. If you could collaborate with any musician, who would you like to work with?
Noga Erez or Chris Thile. I think both of them as writers and performers pull out the things that excite me about music and take me to quite a transcendent place.
5. Your music videos are always very artsy, but the styles vary, do you have a favourite video?
The video for Like Me was a blast to make. It was my first time directing and art directing a video from start to finish and it was the most fulfilling experience ever. We shot in this amazing house in London, and I collaborated with friend Suzie Walsh – an incredible stylist – on a custom garment made from repurposed materials. I’m lucky enough to work with an amazing team – all of them dear friends whom I trust wholeheartedly with any ideas I have.
6. Your last song, “How To Be A Woman” broaches the important political issue of feminism. Why did you decide to write about it, and what do you think about combining political debates and music in general?
“How To Be A Woman” was a product of things that I ruminated on and have ruminated on throughout my entire life and it was just a way of bookmarking this time in my life. I’m still trying to figure out who I am and what I want to create in this lifetime so it’s a very “I have no idea what I’m doing and that’s okay” kind of song 🙂
7. Your look changed over the years, your eyebrows got lighter, your hair longer- would you say that you have already found your true identity?
If I’m honest I’m always changing and trying on different versions of myself. I love the idea of “dressing up” in adult life – I think that comes from rummaging through my Mum’s clothes when I was little. There’s something really empowering and freeing about being able to change how you present yourself to the world at any given moment. I think I’m always trying to understand myself more and more every day and I think with that comes new lessons learnt and ultimately new ways of expressing myself.
