Following on from the release of his brilliant EP 'Love In Conversation' last year, emerging singer and songwriter Isaac Anderson is kicking off his 2022 in style as he drops his uplifting new single 'Mess Me Up'.
Conjuring a wonderfully bright and vibrant pop-rock direction, 'Mess Me Up' makes for a stellar return from the artist. Jam-packed with soaring textures, killer hooks, and his own impactful voice layered throughout, this new one will be stuck in your head for hours after first hearing it.
So with the new single available now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has inspired him most over the years.
-
What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The guitar is my first and only true love! I started playing when I was eight and never looked back. I’m perhaps not the best guitarist in the world, but I’m okay with that. I can use it to tell my story, and that’s what’s important to me!
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
The soundtracks to my childhood mainly came from bands and artists like Simply Red, Van Morrison, Phil Collins, Michael Jackson, The Police, Stevie Wonder - music my parents listened to that stayed with me all my life. In my teens I was very much into the pop punk/emo movement of the 00s (despite coming into it slightly later!) - so bands like Fall Out Boy, My Chemical Romance, Taking Back Sunday, The Used and others. I think the music I make now is a bit of a mad mish-mash of all of the above.
What was the first album you remember owning?
The first album I ever bought with my own money was A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out by Panic! At The Disco. I was nine years old and had never listened to them - I just liked the cover. That album went on to quickly become a staple in the aforementioned teenage collection!
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
I think ‘Yellow’ by Coldplay is pretty much the perfect song from start to end - musically, lyrically, and even the slightly rough-around-the-edges production is brilliant. I used to work as a wedding singer - most of the songs you’d sing at those kind of events got very boring very quickly, but not Yellow - I always got psyched up when that was on the setlist. It’s a masterpiece!
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I’ll usually start with either lyrics or a melody - it doesn’t have to be much, just enough to have a feel for the mood of what I want to try and say. I’ll then find a song or album I’m really into of a similar nature and reverse engineer it - lyrically, melodically, and sonically - I’ll try and figure out exactly how the writer or producer has captured the mood of the message they’re trying to get across. I’ll do that a couple of times to find the building blocks for the song and then I’ll get to work - I’ll usually write and produce in tandem. I usually take my time and constantly refine it until I feel like it’s ready - I really envy writers that are able to finish a song a day!
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I’m really enjoying the new album from Fickle Friends. The Band Camino have been on my playlist loads since last summer and also Griff and Holly Humberstone. There’s tons of great new music out at the minute - it’s so inspiring.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Second time I’ve mentioned them (or him?) this interview… but Panic! At the Disco. I really feel like it would bring things full circle and would be an incredible gig to support.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
I get to wake up every day and do something creative - whether it’s writing, recording, producing, playing a show, or even working on social media. I never take that for granted. And when even one person says that your song or show has connected with them in some way as a result of that work - there’s no better feeling.
And what is the most frustrating part?
The constant self doubt and imposter syndrome. It never goes away - you just develop ways to deal with it!
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
‘You’re only ever as good as your last gig’.
-
Isaac Anderson's new single 'Mess Me Up' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.