Over these last few years, fast-rising artist Ella Isaacson has been quick to establish herself as one of the more impactful additions to the pop-rock landscape, garnering tens of millions of streams in the process. And after a heady run of dynamic releases of late, she recently returned with her blistering new single ‘Penny Lane’.
So we decided to sit down with her to discuss her origins and ambitions for the years ahead.
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Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got started in music?
I started really young singing and taking lessons, in voice and piano and then later violin, definitely on more of a classical music track at the start. I would literally do anything to be around music; joining the local child theatre group and my school orchestra then later learning classical music and opera, and earning a spot in choirs at the county and state level. I thought maybe I’d apply to a conservatory one day haha.
My family was super supportive and loved that I loved music so they let me take lessons. My dad is a doctor for the ear, nose and throat so often he’d have patients who were singers and he would go to conferences where he would meet vocal coaches from all around the world that would talk to doctors about how to better care for patients. He would go up and ask them, if they were in the New York area, if they would allow him to bring me in to assess and if I had the skills, could they consider training me. I got to work with some incredible coaches that way.
Who are your biggest musical influences and how have they shaped your sound?
I’m really inspired by more classic artists and rock artists. Queen, The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, Fleetwood Mac, Trent Reznor, Joan Jett, Patti Smith, Billy Joel, there are honestly too many to name but mostly artists from the 60s, 70s and 80s. I really try to bring an essence of that culture and nostalgia authentically to my music, with guitar licks, the way the lyrics are crafted, their spirit, the rhythms of the vocal and in the production & just vibes, for lack of a better term.
Was there a specific moment or experience that made you decide to pursue music seriously?
I have a much older cousin who is a music producer and songwriter mostly working in segment Music for TV shows, talk shows and Sports networks. Because of him, I knew it was possible to be someone who made music and wrote songs. So when I was 13 I opened up a notebook and wrote my first song and he recorded a demo of me which I then used to show my singing teachers who introduced me to a producer who was making pop and rock music around the New York area.
At about 16 I did a showcase and invited an entertainment attorney we had asked to look over some contracts with producers to the show. He thought I really might have something and asked if he could start to put me in some bigger session rooms in New York City. I also started performing all around Manhattan in my teens and loved it so much. I struggled a lot with my mental health when I was younger and relating to my peers, so the studio, the art and music scene in nyc running around and performing was a part of my life where I felt good, excited and confident. From there, I just kept falling in love with the process at every turn and I knew this is what I was meant to do.
Can you walk us through your typical songwriting process?
It really varies, but I always love when I get a random burst of inspiration and start writing a bunch of poetry or even if I just have a line or phrase or a word or two, I’ll bring that into the studio and to my co-writers. I’ve also been in the lab just throwing ideas back-and-forth and the most amazing songs have also come out of that!
How do you find inspiration for your music and lyrics?
In all different ways, sometimes it’s life and just getting out of my head and going and living it. Sometimes it’s listening to a bunch of music. And sometimes it’s hearing a word or phrase out in the world or on the radio. Honestly, a bunch of my best ideas come when I’m half asleep or when I’m in the shower. Listening to music and listening to new music even if it’s in a totally different world than what I make can be so inspiring.
Also listening to full albums, I feel like just really diving headfirst into those artists’ worlds for a project like that really brings me inspiration.
What themes or messages do you hope listeners take away from your music?
I would say my songs have all different themes, but at the end of the day I want people to walk away feeling confident, feeling seen, angsty if they need to be, sexy and ready just grab life by the horns and be their beautiful selves walking through it!
What challenges have you faced as an emerging artist in the music industry?
We could be here all day haha it’s complicated being an emerging artist but what I would say more than anything is that we’re in a period of so much opportunity and have so much power being put in our hands right now. Every industry has its challenges, but we can now reach more fans directly than ever, so I really focus on that more than the challenges. My fans and the people that are excited about the music I make keep me going and motivated.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your musical journey so far?
There have been many, I always wanted to do something of value and impact in the space. I think the experience of putting out “FMLYLM” was really a turning point for me. I had teased it once on Tiktok and right away it went viral that day. I just felt so connected to the fans on the platform, seeing their support and excitement in real time, it really moved the needle on that song and was such a different kind of experience than my other records.
We all come to the table with our own baggage and I have my fair share but to see all these people supporting me, really made me feel like, okay I’ve done something good. I’ve ticked a few things off my goals list songwriting for other artists, but on that song it just touched me in a different way.
How do you stay true to yourself and your artistry in a constantly evolving industry?
By doing the work on myself and paying attention to the person inside of me. The human who loves to embrace the spirit of change, but also needs to make time clear my mind and gain perspective. Often in the industry there are people around that will make you question your ideas, but your circle should have that “let’s make it happen” mentality. I make sure to place myself in environments and around my friends and creative crews, that help bring my crazy ideas to life with a spirit of positivity and excitement.
What can fans expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming projects or tours? Where do you see yourself and your music career in the next five years?
I’m really excited about getting out there and playing for my fans. I want to connect with them on a deeper level and share this music that has a classic rock feel but with a modern twist. I’ve been working on these songs that capture the real essence of rock, both old and new. That’s what’s really inspiring me right now and I want to bring back that raw energy, boldness, and honesty that made classic rock so timeless, but put my own spin on it. We’ll be building this dream together, one song at a time, one show at a time.
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Watch the new video for ‘Penny Lane’ below.
