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. That song soon attracted the attention of music creators and performers such as Illoquint and Jonny Durango. 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...

https://www.eachmeasure.com/blog/issara-222

Having endured a long and taxing road to get here, Issara has finally released her debut album 222, an album that she claims is almost three decades in the making, and what a release from the rousing and soulful pop artist it is.

The album showcases the distinctive and nuanced appeal that the artist possesses in abundance, packed full of life experience, lyrics surrounding themes like empowerment and originality, and rawness and deep introspection surrounding the path that the artist’s life has taken and the journey that she has been on. There is nobody better to articulate the story of this album and the process that she has been on than Issara herself, so we had a chat with the artist to find out some more about it and how a lifetime of work has culminated in this moment.

HEY! WE LOVE YOUR DEBUT ALBUM 222, WHAT MORE CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT IT?

Thank you so much! It was truly a labor of love. I first dreamed of this album when I was about 13 so having finally done it at 39 and as a mother of 2 feels like I’ve climbed a musical mountain. The album is a reflection of myself in other women and particularly women in my family or close friends. I wanted it to be a celebration of my own journey as an artist, as a woman and as a human. This album all about love and connection to one’s self and to others.

It was made with Jack Bowman, who was the drummer, musical director and producer in this journey. We named it 222 after a lucky angel number that’s been with us since day 1 of us meeting and co-creating this album together. It shows up constantly and in the funniest of ways so it only felt fitting to name this beautiful collective creation “222.”

WHAT WAS THE PROCESS LIKE PUTTING IT TOGETHER?

We spent many long days and nights writing and recording over and over till everything felt and sounded just right. We had incredibly talented musicians come and record each part. I really wanted a very live and vintage sound and so Jack really made an effort to respect the recording details and sounds of the 60’s and 70’s to really keep a retro aesthetic while still using the advantages of modern studio technology to bring the album to 2024. One process I’ll will always giggle about when I hear the song “Home” is how we recorded all the choir vocals ourselves. We just sang in different voices around different parts of the room with ambiance mics and we got away with it! It really sounds like a choir! Plus we had a lot of fun…

WHAT WERE YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCES WHEN CREATING THE ALBUM?

Every song on this album was influenced by a woman or women in my life, except one which I wrote for my kids. Women are so interconnected and share so many experiences and growth and change, just like myself as a woman and as an artist. The album cover is me looking through a three way mirror and the songs reflect that as well, each lyric is a reflection of them and myself, each song is multi-faceted and about the many facets of women. My children were integrated in the album because they were such a driving force in me becoming the woman and artist I am today and they inspire me daily.

HOW DO YOU HOPE THAT THE ALBUM INSPIRES OTHERS OR MAKES THEM FEEL?

I love that question Kieran. This is precisely what drove me to make this album and how I conceptualise my live shows – inspiring others and making them feel alive and good. I’m going to turn 40 this year, I’m a mother of two and I feel like I’m just getting started on a new magical journey. I want this album to serve as a testament that it’s never too late and that art and creativity and things that come from your soul don’t have expiration dates. I also want to inspire women to see that we don’t have expiration dates either. I’m not gonna lie, it hasn’t been easy and I’ve had to hustle and my family has had to be flexible but where there’s a will there’s a way. I believe that if you go forth with the best of intentions, the universe or god or people will rise to meet you and hold your hand along the way. I want this album to feel like soul food. I want people to hear themselves in the songs and for the melodies and lyrics to hold a space for them where they can feel free, authentic and fulfilled.

WHAT ELSE DO YOU HAVE PLANNED FOR THE NEAR FUTURE?

I plan to continue doing live shows, that’s where the magic happens. I plan to continue creating more music, doing collaborations with others and I plan to keep going with my gut and my heart and see where those lead me!

https://cloutcloutclout.com/features/unwrapped/issara-222/