After quite some hiatus here we go again and whenever possible with our Indie Talking Series basically consisting of in-depth talks with musicians/bands that we deeply cherish, acknowledge their talent, creativity, resilience and envision them as potential groundbreaking acts away from the inane mainstream numbness of the generic music scene or simply of the cultural environment of the countries they are living in.
The interview we’re publishing today was only possible due to the absolute generosity of our interviewee, who promptly accepted our challenge, actively cooperated to make it happen although during a very busy and meaningful period of her musical commitments. Thanks, Isabela for really being so kind and so sincerely rad!
For all those not yet acquainted with Isabela Nóbrega, we should just briefly say that she belongs to the new generation of Portuguese indie pop musicians and that she released her sweet debut album «Young» early this year. An album that above all highlights the unsurprising outcome of a talented, independent, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist struggling to build a successful career and cover Crystal Castles marvelously.
1. When did you decide to actually become a musician and why?
I think I decided to become a musician when I realised how much I love playing and singing on stage. I think it became an addiction to me and therefore something that I saw as serious.
2.Back in 2014 what were your expectations about entering X Factor?
I Saw X factor as an opportunity to have fun and show my talent at the same time.
3. Have you ever considered winning it or you were just looking for an opportunity in the music world through X-Factor?
Of course! Whenever i decide to apply for a contest I always set my mind to win. However, I always keep in mind the fun sides of it.
4. From a pragmatic point of view which are the actual gains from experiences such like X-Factor for a budding musician, considering that 99% of the participants do not have a real chance to pursue a musical career and those who manage to have one are either unsigned or DIY?
I believe that this kind of TV shows are good to entertain the general mass audiences. From a musician point, I believe that having a more natural growth and building a fan base from scratch is more rewarding though.
5. We could say that you are basically a drummer, but then we listen you singing and playing guitar and synths which most drummers don’t, and we acknowledge that you are multi-instrumentalist and very aware of the sound you want to produce. Considering this what can you tell us about your creative process and which instrument is your best option to begin composing?
Although drums are my favorite instrument to play I never start my compositions the same way. Sometimes I'm walking on the street and some melodic line comes to my mind and I feel the urge to reproduce that sound on the piano. I often look crazy on the streets as I sing a lot of melodies that cross my mind (laughs). Other times I write some lyrics and I try to match the lyrics with something on the guitar. Other times I just go to the computer and freely start to play bass or other instruments and I start adding some other harmonic layers. I think it depends on my mood as well. (laughs)
6. Why did it take you so long to release your debut album and which are the pros and cons of doing it fully on your own?
I like to think that I needed to take a time to fully consolidate my ideas into a form of an album. Even though at certain point I was ready, there was also some conditions that didn't allow me to do this earlier from lack of budget to not having the instruments I needed to achieve my ideas. It is hard building everything from scratch and I also like to thank my fully supporting friends that always believed on my ideas. One good thing of doing this alone is the fact that all is authentic, what you hear is what I feel. This said, I was very confident with the end result. The con is of course, you do not have a fully supporting music industry helping you to reach the right places quickly.
7. What is your musical comfort zone in case you creatively consider there is one and what influences underlie that option and how did they help you to make your mind about it?
I Don't like to feel "comfortable". I believe if I get too comfortable with the musical zone, then I won't be able to get a bit out of the box with some ideas that I would like otherwise to try. Of course, it is important to me to be genuine with myself but sometimes it's good to feel the thrill of changing a bit. (laughs)
8. INDIEVOTION reviewed your album “Young” and one of the ideas that did come to mind was that you were closing a creative phase in your artistic life while opening another one but you did not seem to know already to where it would artistically lead. Is this correct and what can you tell us about it?
Yes. This is correct. I see myself as a person that changed a lot since the appearance on "X Factor". I think that before and maybe a bit after the show I wasn't ready musically to show what my identity as a composer was. At certain point there was a "click" on my life that made me feel that my ideas were consolidating to be something I could call as my own.
9. Intentionally or not your debut album sounds pretty much to indie pop, quite modern, in fact as a final product it sounds as good as some indie pop artists who have considerable label support and media exposure which is not your case. Was indie pop a deliberate choice of yours or did it just happened?
Thank you. (laughs) When I started composing the album, since it was my first work, I felt a bit pressured in the beginning to make it sound like it was mine. Honestly I spent some time asking myself how I could I make it sound mine, as I listen to many bands and I'm a perfectionist. Sometimes I pressured myself to get away from certain styles of composing. However, the curious fact was when I stopped thinking this way and just freely composing, music began to appear and making sense in a whole.
10. What kind of feedback are you having about the album namely from the music press?
Up to now the feedback has been very positive. It's very cheerful to me to see that people are liking my work and also reviewing it as something worth to listen. I'm hoping that slowly the project will grow to be something very positive.
11. You once said that you’re a pretty eclectic person on what concerns your musical taste and that an artist should not limit its music to one genre. Don’t you think that in spite of eclecticism a more genre centered artist will better in terms of building a career?
I believe I'm an eclectic person because I don't like to limit myself to listen only to one genre of music. As a musician I think it is very important to understand and recognize different genres, getting out of my "comfort zone". However, I believe that one genre only artists are easier to be labeled and therefore to reach a certain group. Nevertheless, I can't do music thinking of the genre or the "certain" group I will reach. I have to like what I do and be honest with myself and my music. If I like it other people eventually will like it too I believe.
12. As a Lisbon based musician how would you describe the indie/alternative music scene there when in comparison to other European capital cities best known for their musical substance?
Portugal is a very small country. I believe it's easier to reach certain targets when there is a bigger market to do so.
13. You are very fashionable person with a pretty international look. Very hype tomboy style. Have you ever considered relocating to some other country to boost career opportunities and work with musicians and labels that could really make the difference for you?
I would love to have the opportunity to work amongst world recognized artists. My dream is to be able to live from what I most love to do. This means that I'll do my best in hands to achieve this dream. (laughs)
14. You said in an interview that you were influenced by Jay Jay Johanson and My Chemical Romance. While listening to your album what emerges is a sound not much different from that of Porches, Frankie Cosmos, Mitski, Palehound and surprisingly Daughter. What can you tell us about it?
Those two artists / bands were part of a very important phase of my life. I discovered them while I was a teenager and I got fascinated with them for very different reasons. I don't think my sound is similar to MCR and Jay Jay Johanson though. JJJ is still one of my favorite artists as I find his voice extraordinary and his creativity is very fluid, making every album a unique piece of work. I find it curious to be compared to daughter since I love them. (laughs)
15. We’ve noticed that you have quite a lot of vocal similarities with Daughter’s Elena Tonra. What about asking her for a collaboration?
I remember when I first heard Daughter as a friend of mine, said that I had a similar voice with Elena. The first song I heard it was "Shallows". Elena has the capacity to make anyone feels like "floating" when hearing her songs. I would love to collaborate with her.
16. Your debut album is out. You’ve been promoting it on radio stations, giving some interviews. What about touring it? What are your summer plans concerning the album promotion live and what are your prospects for the next future?
I intend to play the most I can. This summer I won the chance to play at Nos Alive in Portugal which is the biggest music Festival in Portugal. From September on, I'll be doing my first mini tour here in Portugal but also in some pretty cool European Avenues. I never get tired of playing. My friends call me workaholic but i just can't seem to have enough (laughs)
17. Is it rewarding to be a musician in your country and why?
Not always. Mainly, as I have mentioned before because this is a very small country. However, I am super positive with the way things are rolling.
The interview we’re publishing today was only possible due to the absolute generosity of our interviewee, who promptly accepted our challenge, actively cooperated to make it happen although during a very busy and meaningful period of her musical commitments. Thanks, Isabela for really being so kind and so sincerely rad!