Tempo Talks: A Conversation with Issara

THE RELEASE

Issara, with a sound as culturally colorful as her history, soul-purges pop, rock, and gospel with a sprinkle of retro yéyé and other Thai influences. Born on the mainland of Bangkok, Thailand, and raised in Seattle, Washington, by her Thai father and French mother, her musical birthright was designed by a cultural cyclone. Issara got her show on the road at the young age of three, singing in worship choir assemblages, and by the age of 13, she had written her first song. Issara’s reach has carried her to the threshold of greatness, where she has opened doors for numerous outstanding artists, including Al McKay and General Elektriks. The album’s launch was supported by Issara’s extensive family, who helped her balance music and motherhood to prepare for the rollercoaster of stardom.

Achieving the perfect balance between personality and unpolishedness, Issara aims to bring this message to the world through a deeply felt, soulful auditory exploration of both self and love. “222” seeks to glorify women’s empowerment and camaraderie by providing the listener with a genuine look into how Issara became the woman that she is. The album, which became self produced with the help of producer Jack Bowman was recorded and adapted with a vintage feel found in the 1970s. A standout record for us is “Love.” It’s laid-back feel and live vocal touch almost feel like your front row at rythm and blues club. Issara’s objective at the beginning of her 40s is to stimulate creativity, teaching women of all age groups and socioeconomic backgrounds that it is never too late to do what they love. Throughout “222,” Issara advises audiences to partake in a unique experience of life-altering self-discovery and belief.

THE INTERVIEW

If you had to create a Mount Rushmore of inspiration, what four individuals molded the artist you are today?

Wow, that’s a tough one! Only four?! First of all, I would have to say my parents because they always supported and pushed me to find who I was deeply as a person and to follow my heart, my dreams and my gut. They instilled so much possibility and dreaming into me that I’ve only felt limited by my own fears. They also raised me in a home that was always playing or singing good music, if my father was awake there were oldies playing and he was probably singing along. You can hear a lot of those musical influences from my childhood in my music which is inspired by eras before my time and different genres and cultures, this is all thanks to my parents.

As far as artists are concerned it’s really hard to choose just a couple but a huge inspiration for me both musically and as a female artist would definitely be Tina Turner. She was such an amazing performer and artist and didn’t fit the mold of her time. She was so badass yet down to earth, she didn’t even consider herself to have a beautiful voice and she actually got her biggest break around her 40’s. She created her own magic and left a legacy that continues to inspire me.

Another artist that has really shaped me and my music is Donny Hathaway. When I first heard his live album from 1972 it lit up my soul, it felt like discovering a part of me that had been missing and was found. The warmth of this record, his performance and the instrumentation has been a huge inspiration and influence. Whether it is the choice of keys that I use or the stage decor I always keep it warm and fuzzy.

Throughout the production of your new album, were there specific challenges or breakthrough moments that had a profound influence on the overall direction and cohesion of the project?

For me, my creative process is always a journey, I start with a global idea but as I start creating the work becomes its own driving force and sometimes pulls me on another path. As this was my first album and a real “coming-out” of sorts for me as an artist to the world I definitely wanted it to have a signature sound. When you are inspired by a certain era and artists of that time it’s challenging to keep that aesthetic yet put your own modern flavour onto it so you don’t sound like a cover band. Don’t get me wrong, I love cover bands and singing other people’s songs but this album needed to have its own distinctive flair.

I feel like I had that ah-ha moment when I decided to explore the music of my childhood, my cultural heritage and life experiences, which shaped me as a person and let it shape my music as an artist. I explored Thai funk and French Yéyé and old Gospel and Blues which all reflect a part of me as a Thai-French-American national and artist and then I sprinkled bits of that over pop, rock and disco which are all facets of me, with always keeping an underlying tone of soul music, which is my core music that just feels like home.

For the lyrics I wanted it to be personal yet I was so inspired by women for this album, so instead of writing it about them or about me, I wrote about us. I made it a reflective and collective experience. I can sing every lyric with a very intimate and personal connection to what I’m singing but I also think the audience can appropriate it to their own journey. I wanted everything to have depth and meaning as this album is deeply personal.

Can you offer insights into the collaborative dynamics that shaped your upcoming album, shedding light on the contributions from producers, co-writers, engineers, or featured artists and how their involvement impacted the final body of work?

This album wouldn’t have been what it is today without the collaboration of my dear friend and partner in music, Jack Bowman. He is so many things to my project and album. He is the drummer, the music director and producer of this album “222”. In fact, he has been so instrumental that we named the album “222” because of the serendipitous way we met at 22:20, we started working together and through the whole process of the album that number kept showing up to us in the most uncanny ways. Even the time the tracks finally finished uploading when we put the album online was 22:20! We have constantly been reminded that even in the hard times when we have to hustle and sleep is a luxury, we are infinitely supported and we are making magic!

Considering the entirety of your album, what lasting impact or impression do you hope the collection of songs will leave on listeners, both individually and as a cohesive musical journey?

The driving force of this album was to create songs that people can relate to, songs that can inspire them and also songs that can uplift and feed their souls. My aim for “222” is for my listeners to be taken on a journey within themselves both past, present and future. Issara means “freedom” in Thai and that is something that I really try to capture within my music and my live shows. I want people to let their emotions free and to liberate their hearts and dreams.

As you look forward, how does the release of this album set the stage for your future projects, and are there any subtle hints or clues you can share about the evolving musical direction you plan to explore in the coming months?

This album really feels like a catalyst for my musical exploration and makes me want to just dive deeper and keep exploring who I am as an artist and the different colours, textures and genres that I can integrate into my sound. I always worried before that I wouldn’t have more in me, like “what if that is my last song?” but now I have the faith and confidence to know that’s it is just a beginning. It’s a first album and not the last.

I am going to be releasing some new singles soon that are a bit dancy and sassy and also some live sessions that will allow you to listen to and see a more raw and intimate side of me.

We just got back from a West Coast USA tour that went smashingly well and wetted my appetite for touring. I think I’ll be back on the road again in 2025.

In any case whether it’s in the studio or live, I feel like this is just the beginning of a beautiful journey and I plan to take the scenic route…

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