Posts tagged "Colors"

Meet Isis Christopher!

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Feature, Latest | by — February 26, 2019

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Sweet lyrics fueling your daydreams matched with a cool + powerful voice that sweeps you away describes singer + songwriter, Isis Christopher!

Hailing from Nashville, Tennessee, she recently graduated from Fisk University with a BS in Biochemistry/ Molecular Cell Biology. Knowing that her inner desire, true love and talent was wrapped in her musical gifts, she leaned into her purpose and gave the world her beautiful vocals + her authentic energy.

Recently dropping her 14:14 mixtape, Isis Christopher radiates in her truth and continues to empower each listening ear. She says, “I tell my own story. Sharing some of my vibe. That is my individuality. There is no place for unnecessary drama when the goal is love.”

Let’s get to know Isis Christopher a little better…

Currently living in Nashville, what motivated you to begin sharing your beautiful vocals + creating a lane for your talent?

Well, after graduating from Fisk University in 2017 with a BS in Biochemistry/ Molecular Cell Biology, it felt like more than ever I was pulled to share my voice and explore the possibilities of my artistic expression. I never really gave myself permission to do it before… I guess because I was never given permission as a little girl. But singing has always been one of the few things in life that gave me such raw pure joy and energy. I’ve wanted to sing and write songs ever since I could remember; singing has always been a part of me, almost like breathing, but I was never encouraged to pursue it seriously. Education was always my parent’s top priority. But once I graduated, honestly it felt like I had an obligation to the universe and to humanity; to share my voice and to share my story. I feel as though emerging into adulthood, I am really just now learning who I am, the philosophies I live by, and what I want. I always felt suffocated not doing what I truly loved. I share my art because, although scary, it is empowering.  It feels good for me and it feels good to make others feel good. Why not use the tools God gifted you with to help empower and inspire those around you?

You recently launched a video for your single COLORS! The video and lyrics pull you in with its feel-good vibe + heartfelt lyrics. What’s your writing process like when it comes to your songs?

Honestly, the process is a little bit different with each song that I write. Contrary to popular preference, I write all my lyrics in my iPhone Notes, that way I have them with me everywhere I go. I’m able to jot down lines of inspiration as they come and keep them organized. For me, songwriting is about feeling something, through melody and rhythm. Lyrics make these musical components concrete. And when a lyrical melody dances in balance with an accompanying chord progression, beat, or whatever it maybe, the song really comes to life. Because I am an untrained musician, besides high school marching band, I strongly go off frequency or feeling, components that are moreso metaphysical and less technical. The feeling always correlates with the inspiration, story, or message of the song. The powerful thing about songwriting is how it is able to take you back and relive certain memories, and emotions.

Not only do you have a smooth and captivating voice but you play a 6 string uke called a guitulele! How did you learn to play?

Haha thanks so much! Funny story, so I bought my ex a guitulele one Christmas…fast forward to about a year and a half after the break up, I find the guitulele tucked away in my closet. So naturally, I picked it up and started messing with it. I learned how to play as I was songwriting. I actually started writing Colors (March of 2018) just a couple of days after I first picked up the guitulele. And it’s like with each song I wrote, I explored different chords and strumming patterns.  I eventually became more comfortable with fundamentals of the instrument, like fingerpicking and executing barre chords. Each song I tried to challenge myself more. Just as I was and continue to develop my skills as a guitulele player, I also continue to learn to be more comfortable with singing and playing spontaneously, a whole other skill in itself.

In a time where talent can come secondary behind tons of gimmicks, what’s one way you protect your individualism? Is their pressure to conform? 

I protect my individualism by not pressuring myself to be who I think I need to be to “make it”. I am naturally a very quiet person, so for me its always about the music, the message, and the feelings first. I tell my own story. Sharing some of my vibe. That is my individuality. There is no place for unnecessary drama when the goal is love. When I remember to cast my ego aside and let the energy flow, life flows.

I’m blessed to be surrounded by and growing within a community in Nashville that values authenticity and love. Everything is love. Everyone is love. Art is love. So I don’t feel like there is pressure to conform. However, I admit that there is a rather slick inner critic that tries to make me feel bad for my introverted nature and not having the typical characteristics of an entertainer. Because I know my truth in that there is no shame in being a quiet person, I counteract that critic through acknowledgment then dismissal, and by encouraging me to just be me.

Music can be a melting pot of who you are and the inspiration around you, who inspires you to continue to express yourself?

Friends and family inspire me to continue to express myself. Society inspires me to continue to express myself. The future inspires me to express myself. I feel as through in order to truly spread light and to love, those around me deserve the real the true me. And truthfully, I am still learning how to express myself and who the true me really is. It truly is a process, the journey of life if you will.

We are all about empowerment, what does EMPOWERMENT mean to you?

Empowerment is living the realization that I am my own teacher, leader, healer. I feel as through having the courage to face your journey and the challenges it brings forth is empowerment. I feel as though empowerment is self-progression and elevation of self. Empowerment is accountability and action. Pair empowerment with your wildest dreams and with the homegirl faith, and you’ve got a success baby.

What advice would you give girls who want to follow their dreams and passions but are nervous or intimidated?

I was there not long ago. I didn’t have the courage to confidently sing in front of others or to consciously go after what my heart so longed for… not until after I had graduated from college (Fisk University ’17). It’s difficult when everything and everyone around is telling you that what you want is not possible. That agreement you make with your inner self believing that they are right seeps into your subconscious… and your subconscious directs life’s manifestations. But it’s not your fault. I believe once you have the understanding that you are the God of your life, the “captain of your soul”, anything you say goes. Granted it is scary to possess all that power in your mind (learning how to leverage that power is a whole other thing!), but if you have the power to align your life with your soul’s frequency, why not use it? And honestly, life is too short not to choose love; it’s too short not to do what you love. Why choose to suffer when you can choose heaven? It is a scary thing but the truth always prevails. You are going to have to get uncomfortable. It is not easy so be patient with yourself. Love yourself. Everything is a process. Everyone has their own unique process. There is no need to compare yours with anyone else’s.  

Time for faves! Celeb Crush? Artist? Food? Movie?

Rihanna will forever by my celeb crush. Aaliyah ranks as my all-time favorite artist, but right now my favorite artist is definitely H.E.R.

Honestly, I love any food with cheese, so I have a soft spot for Mexican and Italian food. But I just love food, I will eat anything tasty, but I do prefer moreso plant-based meals.

Not to be a 90s baby cliché, but The Lion King has always been my all-time fav movie. My fav movie right now would be Black Panther and Avatar. The graphics, storylines, and executions were spot on.

Follow more of Isis Christopher’s music!

Instagram

Soundcloud

YouTube