Greta Isaac is the pop artist of the moment. A bold, signature style that transcends all expectations, her new EP I Think You’d Hate It Here, is an incredible project built on expansiveness. Switching between tender melodies and vibrant pop stylings, Isaac’s artistry is one built on expression and emotion. We caught up with her to discuss her second EP, working with friends and fellow artists and her all important aesthetics.
Hey Greta, thanks so much for taking the time to chat to us. How’s your year been so far?
Thanks so much for having me! My year has been really interesting I would say haha. A lot of ups and downs and plenty of creative endeavours that make the ups and downs inspiring in some ways. It’s been great getting back in to playing shows and travelling a little more now that that’s become more available to do.
Your new EP “I Think You’d Hate It Here” is out now. Can you tell us more about it?
It’s a collection of songs that I’ve been slowly curating over the past year or so. It’s sort of a anti-postcard title about the various aspects of my personality that have come out to play on this body of work. It’s been really fun interacting with those parts of myself and almost playing dress up with each and every one of them. I think that’s a theme that keeps coming up in my work as I shift my relationship with making music and being an artist. It’s less focused now on the outcome and more about playfulness and process, and hopefully people can hear that in the lyrics and see that in the visual storytelling.
It’s your second EP that you’ve released – how does this one differ from your debut? Do you think your artistry has developed much since?
Definitely! I think I’m a lot bolder creatively now than I’ve been on the past and lot braver with my choices and how I choose to present my artistry. I think I’m finding who I am more and more with each release and I feel like my sonic and my visual language is becoming more limitless in its possibilities. It’s really exciting.
Your aesthetic is also super strong & powerful. How important are aesthetics to your music and art?
I’d say the visual language is just as important to me. For a while it was quite daunting to me actually the idea of being able to do anything with it was quite overwhelming. It wasn’t until I started working with my creative partners in crime Suzie Walsh and Karina Barberis that we honed in on a few key elements of the project that started really inspiring us about the direction we wanted to take the visuals. I’m inspired by dress up, repurposing ordinary things and making them fashion and curious, eccentric, editorial style storytelling. I’d love to do an album one day where we do the entire visual world before even doing the music. I’d be really interested in seeing how that process informs the project sonically.
The EP also sees collaborations with Dodie and Orla Gartland, how does working with other artists influence your writing?
It’s amazing. It’s of course so inspiring to be surrounded by such hardworking, driven and creatively assertive women but mostly it’s great having that steady and fulfilling companionship in an industry that can sometimes feel unpredictable. That steadiness helps me feel grounded in my work and not worry too much about outcome and success in the way we know it to be.
How are you planning to celebrate the EP release?
I’m actually going to be at The Great Escape playing some shows. I think it’s the perfect way to celebrate!
Do you have any exciting plans for the rest of the year?
I’ve got some really wonderful creative projects I’m so proud to be involved in that will come out across the year. And of course more music 🙂
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