Quebec's singer-songwriter IZABELLE, strikes with her magnetic energy, her vibrant authenticity and the depth of her uninhibited POP with an electro-funk twist.
A powerful mixture where catchy melodies, dynamic vocals and empowering lyrics meet; directly addressing social issues such as mental health, domestic violence, social pressure, feminism, society's standards, etc. Celebrating vulnerability, self-love and growth.
After performing all over the world for over 15 years, IZABELLE launches in 2020 her first album ''Version 2.0 Deluxe'', a combination of French and in English original songs. Satisfying her long-repressed visceral need to create her own music as well as to write, sing and embody her own stories.
A solid indie production bringing together a team of Quebec's most prolific musicians, including producer and bass player Alexandre Lapointe (The Brooks) and Gautier Marinof (Marc Dupré, Céline Dion, Simple Plan) on recording and mixing.
A strong start for the opus with its 2 radio singles ''Amour Bipolaire'' and ''Self-Talk session v.f.'', playing in nearly fifty radio stations across Canada, including the Rouge fm network, charting the top 100 BDS, correspondent and ACANB, in addition to being a CBC Music Searchling and Canadian beats weekly beatdown finalist.
IZABELLE releases ''Vulnerable'' in the spring of 2022, the first single of her upcoming album expected for the end of 2022. In the meantime the new songs are part of the ''VERSION 2.0'' show currently touring across Quebec.
Website: https://izabelleofficial.com/
Music: https://backl.ink/142882012
Thank you for taking this interview! How has the New Year been for you so far as an artist?
So far it's been great and busy!! I have been working a lot on new music. I just released a new song in French last week : https://bfan.link/vulnerable
and a new music video a few weeks ago for my song about domestic violence ''Bipolar Love'' : https://youtu.be/pQEfzpTif-E a song that I released in French last year. The live music scene is really coming back to life so I have been performing a lot and planning concerts for the next year. I cannot be happier! Back to being busy and doing what I love the most!
Can you tell us how you've transformed from the beginning to now as an artist?
OMG! Let me tell you... working for 17 years as a professional artist, I went from caterpillar to butterfly and still transforming! I am so much more confident and connected to what I do. I am no longer seeking approval, I'm seeking fulfillment, I'm seeking connections, I'm seeking self-improvement and realness. I am still learning a lot everyday. The difference is that now I see myself being on a journey instead of working towards a destination.
How did you come up with your latest project?
My latest music video is inspired by a very rough patch I have been through a few years back while I was a victim of domestic violence. It took me a long time to understand that it was domestic violence because I had such a misconception of what I thought domestic violence was. I decided to write a song about my liberation and it has become my freedom anthem ever since. In the music video I wanted to show in an artistic way, the victim's perspective, so that people can kinda feel what it feels like to walk in the victim's shoes. How sneaky and subtle domestic violence is, and how it can be so much more than physical. https://youtu.be/pQEfzpTif-E
Where are you from originally?
I am from a small town in Eastern Townships, Québec called Compton (yup there's a Compton in Québec) it is near Coactiook, Sherbrooke and the Vermont U.S. border)
Where do you live now?
I used to live in Montreal for a while before the pandemic, but the pandemic made me crave space, calm and nature so I moved to Drummondville, Québec last year.
Do you think where you live impacts how your music is made?
Yes and no... I have been touring around the world a lot. I also lived in Asia for 2 years. So yeah of course I think that Quebec's and Canada's cultures are impacting my music alot but I also think that I carry lil' pieces of all of the places I have been traveling to in my life and I believe that it has no choice but to translate into my music.
What was the inspiration to make music your career?
I grew up listening to the Beatles, then 90's dance music and then the 2000's pop and R& B artists so to me, it was the uplifting aspect of music that really got to me. I wanted to connect and communicate that type of feeling and energy to people. Listening to music always made me feel so good, so empowered and I wanted to be able to make people feel the same way. Later on, as I became older, I developped a real interest for the story telling aspect of music. It made me want to be a part of the conversation, speak my truth and use my voice to try to make a difference.
How do you want to shape your career?
I want to be a part of my community, to be a part of its culture, with my music but also my implication outside of music as well and help other get there and shine. I wanna leave a mark that will resonnate with people and inspire them to be their best self. I also wish that eventually my music can travel enough to make me connect with people all around the world.
Do you work on a tight timeline always or do you go with the flow when it comes to your music?
As an independent artist I have no choice but to have sort of a timeline to create an healthy balance/routine between creating, working the business apect of my career and personal life.. otherwise it can easily become a mess. But I gotta admit I tend to worka lil' too much so I constantly have to pace and remind myself to keep some time to recharge my inner batteries and take care of myself. It's all about balance they say (and they're right) but I am still struggling sometimes.
How did your latest title of your music come to be?
Bipolar love comes from the feeling I was having went I was in a relationship with domestic violence. All of the ups and downs. The image comes from the cycle of abuse which is a constant emotional rollercoaster: the honey moon (calm), the tension building, the incident & the reconcilliation.
Is it hard to let go of the music when it is done?
For this particular song, yes it was. Because at first I wrote this song for myself... with no intention of sharing it. I wanted to heal and I needed to let it all out. To speak my truth. But then after a few months as I started to heal I realized I was ready and I realized all the good that this song could do to other people. So I decided it was time to let go and open up. The impact has been nothing but positive ever since and it resonnated with so many people that I cannot be happier.
Do you feel an emotional attachment to your music?
Nothing but emotional attachment! hehe I put my heart and soul in everything I write.
How would you describe your music in one word to someone who hasn't listened to it yet?
Empowering
Where do they go to listen NOW?
Here:
https://backl.ink/142882012 What has been the best fan reaction to your music?
Crying, testimonies, people thanking me for speaking up about several topics.
Is there anything exciting coming up for you?
YEAH!!!! a second album on the way for the beginging of 2023 BUT new music will be released until then! Like my latest song ''Vulnéreable'' in French here: https://bfan.link/vulnerable
Are you performing the song anywhere LIVE?
YES!!! I am now touring in Quebec with my original material. The next shows are June 23rd in Angus-Rosement, Montreal for Quebec's day and at ''La Cale'' in Montreal on June 25th.
Give us all your socials and links so fans can link up with you!
www.facebook.com/izabelleartist
www.instagram.com/izabelleartist
www.youtube.com/izabelleartist