Introducing #181 - IsaacO — When The Horn Blows

We talk with Birmingham based artist IsaacO about creativity, culture, collaboration and the impact of COVID-19 on his current single, ‘Hopeless and Lonely’.

Hey there IsaacO, how are you? How does it feel to be releasing music during this strange time for music?
Hey When the Horn Blows, I am keeping well despite the circumstances we are living in. Yes, it is a strange time right now for music with very limited live gig opportunities and greater reliance on online content. Nevertheless, I feel very honoured to being able to create and share my music with fans.

Your new track ‘Hopeless and Lonely’ is out now, can you tell us what the track is about?
This track is about the effects of COVID-19 on one’s mental health as people around the country are experiencing job insecurity, relationship uncertainty, and a fear of loneliness. This track was actually written in the first lockdown where we wanted to express how the whole situation made us feel; from the fear of isolation and loneliness to the loss, from the anxiety to all the hurt this situation has caused. This track was written with my long-term collaborator and producer Theo “T.O” Davis and songwriter Josh Wheatley.

You are based in Birmingham, what is your favourite thing about living there?
Birmingham is a great place for up-and-coming artists. My favourite thing is how multiculturally diverse it is as a city. I love being able to order some of my favourite Nigerian foods at a drop of a hat like Pounded Yam and Okra Soup. I definitely recommend that you should try it someday.

You are originally of Nigerian descent, do you feel that has helped shape your sound as an artist at all?
Most definitely, it has certainly influenced the way I write my melodies and articulate the lyrics I sing.

What are your key musical influences as an artist?

Afropop)----------->IsaacO<--------------(Coldplay, Bon Iver)

If Chris Martin had a love child with Afropop. That’d be us 😜.

Now the track is out there, what next for you?
There is definitely more music in the pipeline. The upcoming releases will form a body of work focus on presenting the events of 2020 in a balanced way. Our heritage is very important to us, I am Nigerian and Theo is Ghanaian and one of the significant events of this year has been the battle for racial justice and the Black Lives Matter movement. One of the songs we are planning on releasing in the near future is called ‘Miracle’, which will talk of a future world we want to live in, where there is greater unity, understanding and love for one another in light of these events of this year.

Interview by Ant Adams