There are a lot of young talents around, but none display the amount of elegance and maturity that Isabelle Perfall does. Calling New York City her home, the American creative is not only a songwriting powerhouse but also a classically trained pianist, boasting a whopping 14 years of experience. That’s pretty remarkable, compared to her age. The union of those two elements ensures a musical output that is heartwarming, poignant and evocative.
The last piece of the puzzle would be Perfall’s enchanting vocal tone, truly soothing and charming. Developed over such a powerful vehicle, Isabelle’s ballads and compositions find a very compelling life, wrapping the listeners in a cathartic and introspective listening experience. ‘Atmosphere’ is the perfect evidence of that. The American singer’s latest effort collects three wonderful singles exploring personal, coming-of-age storytelling, something that’s currently close to Perfall’s heart.
Intrigued by the EP and the overall project, we caught up with Isabelle to learn more about her artistry and future goals… Interview below!
Hey Isabelle, thanks for chatting with us! Your musical resume is pretty impressive for a 17-years-old. Can you recall when your artistic journey started?
From the moment I started taking piano lessons at the age of 4, I have been inseparable from the instrument and have known that music is my favorite language. My classical piano training gave me the necessary tools I needed when I began composing at 11, which instantly became a natural emotional outlet for me. What I am especially grateful for, in my artistic journey, though, is the incredible musical education I received from my parents growing up. Having met working in the music industry, both of my parents have a love of music that runs deep, and they certainly infused that into my siblings and me. Growing up alongside the music of Ella Fitzgerald, Stevie Wonder, and Al Green provided me with a strong foundation and constant inspiration to bring into my own work.
On a philosophical level, what does music mean to you? It’s obviously always been with you, and perhaps carried you through painful times… Is it your calling?
I often say that music is my driving force in life, but I am starting to realize what an understatement this is. My life really would be nothing without music. Not only is music soul-nourishing and healing for so many, but it also brings together the most beautiful community of people. The musicians and artists that I have been so lucky to meet and befriend in my life are some of the most empathetic, generous, soulful human beings there are, and to me, that sums up what it means to love music and make your whole life revolve around it. I don’t know who I would be without music, partially because it has been one of my defining traits all my life, but more so because it is the one thing that will always remind me of the beauty of the human experience.
Are there any artists that particularly inspire you?
There are so many artists that inspire me but I am particularly inspired by the trailblazer female singer-songwriters who write openly and honestly. Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Sara Bareilles, Norah Jones, and Sarah McLachlan, to name a few. All of these women, each with their own style and artistic vision, have been the soundtrack of my life. I truly wouldn’t be able to write music if it weren’t for the inspiration I feel when listening to these incredible powerhouse women.
You recently released an evocative and cathartic EP, ‘Atmosphere’. Packed with poignancy, elegance and warm piano tones, the record is absolutely stunning. What’s your favourite track in it?
Thank you. “Close My Eyes” is a track I wrote during an unsteady period of my life when the future was quite uncertain. I was reminiscing a lot about the past and was filled with gratitude for it. Nobody gets anywhere alone, and this sentiment, which rings particularly true for me, was the reason why I felt inspired to write this song. It is a love letter to my past and to all of the people who are part of it.
Can you guide us through the writing process behind the EP? Was it written as a solo endeavour or collaborating with someone else?
I wrote and composed these songs on my own. In the future, I would love to explore composing music as a joint venture with someone else, and I am so lucky to know so many fantastic musicians who I would be blessed to collaborate with, but doing this alone is what felt most appropriate for this EP. While I wrote them alone, the recording process really brought these songs to life and I have my producer, Arthur Pringrey, to thank for that. I am so grateful for his musical expertise and guidance through the recording process.
What does the EP mean to you? Is there a central theme common to all the songs?
The central theme of “Atmosphere” is growing up and the complexity of it. As a senior in high school, on the cusp of a huge change, I am feeling the gravity of my childhood slip away now more than ever. It is because of this that I wrote three songs, all inspired by the complex aspects of growing up. While these songs are my reflections and lessons learned from my own childhood, I hope that everyone will listen to “Atmosphere” and resonate with it for their own unique reasons.
Artistically speaking, what challenges have the last two years presented you with?
It has been difficult to find my sound these past few years, and especially the past 6 months, as I began the recording process. As a musician just starting my journey in this field, I want to create music that accurately reflects who I am, and most importantly, that speaks to people and helps others in some way. I went back and forth many times, debating what genre I wanted to head into, and what kind of music I wanted to be associated with, and, in the end, I wrote songs that were truly representative of me. There was no other way for me to do this than to be myself, so that’s what I did.
What are the next steps for your project? Anything exciting on the horizon?
I hope to release a full album next year, building off the skills I have developed while working on this project. I hope to delve into some new genres, work with new sounds, and can’t wait to see what inspires me as I begin the writing process!
