ISSIE is a 21-year-old songwriter and artist whose soulful blend of soft soul, jazz, and mellow blues has drawn comparisons to Olivia Dean, Celeste, Bill Withers, and Amy Winehouse. She has collaborated with industry names including Jim Reilley, Franklin Jonas, Alex Apolline, and PeanutButterWolf, and her talent has led to invitations to respected songwriting networks worldwide, from Zonkey Studios in Vienna to American Songwriter’s esteemed Between the Lines camp. Known for her hymn-like lyrics and rich melodies, ISSIE has performed at renowned UK venues such as The Cavern Club, The Finsbury, and The Troubadour, and shared festival stages with artists like Gloria Gaynor and The Fratellis. Splitting her time between Liverpool and Los Angeles, she continues to expand her live presence and develop her distinctive, authentic sound.
1. Your music draws comparisons to artists like Olivia Dean, Celeste, Bill Withers, and Amy Winehouse—what specific elements from each inspire your soulful blend of soft soul, jazz, and mellow blues, and how do you make it uniquely yours?
A lot of my inspiration comes from a gallery of great artists across genres and decades. Whether I’m listening to motown, hard rock, folk, alternative jazz, or shoegaze, the best thing about being an artist and a writer is that, being surrounded by so much music, I’ve become a true fan through and through. I find that often, the more I try to focus on a sound in my music and try to be something or someone, it becomes something that isn’t genuine or realistic to me. Music that feels genuine to me and uniquely myself comes when I’m letting any facet or creative idea flow and become a new avenue of music, rather than myself chasing after a sound I like.
2. At just 21, you’ve already built an impressive resume with performances at iconic UK venues like The Cavern Club and The Troubadour. What sparked your passion for songwriting as a young artist in Liverpool, and what was your first big break?
My love for songwriting has been instilled in me since before I ever touched a piano. I’ve always loved writing poems, scribbling to myself, or just humming random rhymes together. I think that passion for writing has always been a constant throughout my career, guiding me to where I am today and, if anything, pushing me further along the way. I don’t think there’s ever been a first big break necessarily. I feel the jumps in my career more so after the fact, and when I look back from a year or more, I see how far I’ve truly come. Sometimes it’s hard to see the growth as an artist over time, so you have to remind yourself of the things you do now that you once could only wish for and how that goal is ever-changing and pushing you forward.
3. You’re known for your hymn-like lyrics and rich melodies—can you walk us through your creative process? Do you start with a melody, a story, or something else, and how do you infuse that authenticity into every track?
A lot of my songwriting process has changed over the years and even months. I’ve been lucky to learn from many experienced and well-versed songwriters through school, camps, and sessions- and the one takeaway I always utilize is creating songs and ideas from different perspectives and processes. I used to write from a chord progression and make a melody and lyric on top of that, but as I’ve learned more and honed in on my craft, I’ve realized the importance of creating from different ways. Sometimes I’ll find it easy to write a song with a melody first, sometimes it’s difficult, and sometimes I don’t even want to write. So, I try to take it day by day and song by song in the process, and let whatever happens happen!
4. You’ve worked with heavy-hitters like Jim Reilley, Franklin Jonas, Alex Apolline, and PeanutButterWolf. What’s the most surprising lesson you’ve learned from collaborating with such diverse talents, and how has it shaped your sound?
The biggest surprise has been how collaboration isn’t about blending styles, but about finding truth in contrast. In all my various collaborations with mentors, artists, writers, and others, I’ve learned that everyone brings their own unique language to the room — and instead of trying to speak theirs, I’ve learned to hold my own voice while still being open. It’s made my sound more fluid, more confident, and less afraid of imperfection.
5. Invitations to songwriting camps like Zonkey Studios in Vienna and American Songwriter’s Between the Lines sound incredible—what standout experience from these international networks has pushed your artistry forward the most?
Songwriting camps have been some of the most valuable experiences for me as a writer. I’ve been lucky to attend incredible retreats like Zonkey Studios and Between the Lines, where I’ve met artists from all over the world. What stands out most isn’t just the collaborations, but the nerves — walking into a room with complete strangers and somehow creating something you’d never make on your own. Each session teaches me something new about myself and about music, and that constant learning is what keeps me inspired.
6. Sharing festival stages with legends like Gloria Gaynor and The Fratellis must be electric. What’s your favorite memory from a live show, and how do you capture that intimate, soulful energy in front of a crowd?
Some of my favorite shows have been the smaller, more intimate gigs around Liverpool, playing to anywhere from ten to a hundred people. There’s something special about performing in a city with such a deep musical history — every venue feels like it has its own story. One of my favorite gigs was with the Liverpool Jazz Society at Frederick’s. The place was packed, people were spilling in, and the energy was unreal. It was one of those nights that felt electric from the stage to the crowd, and it still stands out as one of my favorites.
7. Splitting time between Liverpool and Los Angeles offers such a dynamic contrast—how does each city influence your music and lifestyle, and do you have a “home base” for inspiration?
Each city feels completely different in its own way, but both give me what I need at different times. Los Angeles will always feel like home — it’s where I recharge. Whenever I’m back, it feels like a little vacation: sunshine, burritos, and being surrounded by that easy coastal energy. Liverpool, on the other hand, has always been where I work and study, so it naturally brings out more of my hustle mindset. It’s where I feel driven to write, play gigs, and chase new opportunities. But that balance shifts sometimes — because I really do love performing and creating back home just as much.
8. As a rising 21-year-old in a competitive industry, what’s been the biggest hurdle in developing your authentic sound, and how have you overcome it?
The hardest part as an independent artist is pushing against an industry that doesn’t want to accept you. I’ve experienced situations where people in certain rooms are reluctant to work with you unless you have representation or a specific name associated with you, which keeps many people away and gatekeeps the industry from the majority. There have been many lessons I’ve learned along the way, but one of them is finding your “protector”-someone who truly believes in you and wants to help you succeed in whatever way. I’m grateful to have people in my corner who help me when I don’t always have the confidence or resources to help myself. However, it’s undoubtedly a challenging industry to navigate, and not for the faint of heart.
9. With your expanding live presence, what can fans look forward to next—an album, tour, or new collaboration? How do you envision evolving your mellow blues vibe in the coming years?
Since playing shows around the UK, building a presence in the live scene, and connecting with so many people in the industry, I’m really grateful to have found an audience I can perform for. I’m now getting ready to release my original music and make my debut in 2026, which feels like such an exciting next step. It’s something I’ve been working on for a long time, slowly shaping and refining, and I hope people connect with it the way I do. I’m always writing and creating new music, and I’m excited to let my sound evolve naturally — wherever it decides to go.
10. For other young songwriters dreaming of stages like The Finsbury or global camps, what’s one piece of advice you’d give based on your journey so far?
Something I have to remind myself often is the reason why I do what I do- and it’s because I love music. I love everything about it, and that’s the reason why I am where I am today. Because I love music so much, I was ambitious and keen to make it a reality. I flew 5,000 miles away from my home on my own and created a life for myself. If you can keep that drive throughout the ups and downs of life and your career, I think you can make your own version of success!
Find Out More: ISSIE – INSTAGRAM
- Email: neill@outloudculture.com
- Socials: @frazer.live
- @neill.outloud
