Rae Isla – Another Life

By starrymag | June 29, 2021

By: MJ Asuncion

 

 

Q) Name three of your musical influences. How have they affected your creative journey? And is there anyone you would love to collaborate with in the future?

 

A) I’m most influenced by songwriters – Carole King, Dolly Parton and Brandi Carlile from my hometown. I would love to write a song with one of the “greats.”

 

Q) Congratulations on your upcoming debut album Another Life. Talk about what it means to you to be able to share this album with your fans and the world.

 

A) My first album symbolizes the end of an era and the beginning of a new one. It’s a huge, huge milestone I’ve been working on for so long and it means the world that I’ve got some great supporters to share it with.

 

Q) Inspiration often is the springboard for creativity. Tell us about what inspired you to write and create this album. What can listeners expect from the album as a whole?

 

A) A breakup, a huge shift in my perspective, now living what feels like another life. The album is very complete in that it has a beginning, middle and end. You can expect to hear that.

 

Q) You’ve called Brooklyn, Seattle and Mexico home. How have these places influenced you as a person and as an artist? Do all three places contribute to the sound of Another Life?

 

A) They’ve each housed really important experiences in my life, really important relationships. I wrote/worked on the songs in all three places, so the sounds and visuals definitely have elements of all my homes.

 

Q) You are now currently living in CDMX. What are the biggest differences in the music scene in Mexico versus that of New York or Seattle? And I read you did your first radio interview in Spanish, how was that experience?

 

A) Well, it’s still COVID so I don’t think I’m getting a full taste of music CDMX. There are a lot of small, private shows happening and intimate collaborations. I feel like in the states – specially NYC – we’re very focused on the “elevator pitch,” on identifying as one discipline and selling it hard. There seems to be a lot of multidisciplinary artists here, musicians who are also painters, actors, etc. and that’s exciting.

 

Q) I’ve long been a fan of your work, and it is difficult to choose just one favorite song. For me it depends on how I am feeling or where I am at the present moment. You’ve previously released a great EP and a slew of captivating singles. Tell us about the process of selecting which songs would go on the final album?

 

A) It came down to the story. An album is a collection of short stories, and they should all fit together. Some songs felt like they told stories meant for another time (written too soon or too late), so they didn’t make it on the album.

 

Q) Let’s talk about your song “Lovely Lies,” which is accompanied by your latest music video. The video feels very ethereal where we are taken to an incredible dreamscape. How did you come up with the idea and concept for the video? And how does the video play into the meaning and message behind the song?

 

A) The video came directly from a dream. The song is very based in reality, it’s very story-like, telling things as they happened. Sometimes reality is too painful to think about so my dreams help me process what’s happening.

 

Q) Do you already have ideas for another music video for one of the songs on the album? Or do you know which song you would like to be your next music video?

 

A) I’ve got too many ideas. It really comes down to choosing! Maybe I’ll ask fans what they’d like to see…

 

Q) How has the global pandemic changed the landscape of your process, and the creation of Another Life? Did the lockdown and quarantine affect your creativity, and if so, in what way?

 

A) We made a lot of the album in a lockdown-like setting, before COVID happened. Parts were recorded mostly with two people in a studio room (my producer Garrett and I played most of the instruments). So, when lockdown happened, our process wasn’t interrupted too much. Thankfully, we’d already tracked live drums and the other instrumentalists earlier on.

 

Q) Some of the best experiences at your show were when you performed “American Paradise” and “Mexico.” All of the fans knew the lyrics and felt each word as you sang them. Do you have a favorite song to perform, and why?

 

A) My favorite song to perform is often the newest song, it feels fresh and like I’m experiencing it at the same time as everyone else.

 

Q) I just recently heard your latest song “Free.” The lyrics are beautifully intertwined with the melody, bringing a sense of peace and freedom. Tell us more about the creation of the song, and what you hope listeners will take away from it?

 

A) It’s the finale of the album. If I had to conclude anything from my experiences over the last two years, it would be that I feel freer than I have since I was a little kid running through fields.

 

Q) During the lockdown you introduced us to “Patio Performances” where you perform songs and interact with fans over social media. You continuously keep us updated and at times give us glimpses of your life. Why is social media such an important way for you to connect to your fans?

 

A) It may come to a surprise, but I’m really an introvert most of the time. Thank God for social media so I can connect a bit each day and share things while also having much needed solitude.

 

Q) A large part of music for me is experiencing it live. I was very fortunate to be able to attend your shows in New York. What do you miss most about live performances? What are some of your favorite memories from your live shows?

 

A) The euphoria of being on stage is the reminder for why I’m doing this. Everything before a show, the rehearsals, the tedious emails and scheduling, financial investments – it’s all for those forty-five or so minutes. I miss that reminder. My favorite memories are seeing full rooms of my best friends dancing and laughing with people I’ve never met.

 

Q) Before the lockdown, and travel being very restricted, we spoke about you possibly performing in London. Do you have other places in mind where you would like to perform? Describe what we can expect from a future Rae Isla show?

 

A) Yes. London is on the list for sure, after North America. You can expect my future shows to be rawer than they’ve ever been. I think COVID has helped me sort of sweep away the bullshit in my writing and playing and present what really matters.

 

Q) Do you have a favorite song to perform on the album? Or is there one you can’t wait to hear fan reactions after they listen to it?

 

A) “Another Life.” I’m excited for everyone to hear a song called “All In.”

 

Q) You’ve had a lot of success in your career and have amassed a growing fanbase. Through it all, you manage to stay true to who you are as an artist. What is your advice for anyone trying to make it in the business?

 

A) Broad advice, you will never wake up one day and feel “I’ve arrived, I’ve made it.” As with anything, each decision is important and progressive, but there will always be another one to make so don’t fret if you make a mistake. Practical advice, don’t be afraid to invest in your career.

 

Q) What would you like to say to your fans and to all those who support you and your art?

 

A) Thank you for being here. Knowing there are folks from around the world who choose to listen to and buy my music keeps me doing it every day, especially the hard days.