FO: Tell us about yourself.
I am 22 years old, I am an artist; a singer/songwriter in Minneapolis. I would describe my music as experimental alternative R&B. I am also a designer, designing accessories. I make, reconstruct, deconstruct bags, recreate jewelry, and gladiator styled shoes. I write, record, and produce all of my own music from my studio in my basement.
NEW KID ON THE BLOCK Isa Sponslier
FO: When did you decide that this was what you were passionate about?
IS: I felt like this question is a big question. I never really chose what I was passionate about, it just came to me. You never really decide what you’re going to do. I grew up memorizing commercial jingles and performed them for family and friends and that’s how I started with music. My family is very visual and I grew up doing a lot of visual arts as well. I have always loved music and have drawn back to it, it’s always been my base. I taught myself piano at the age of 8. For high school I attended the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists. There I focused in vocal studies and had a great experience and that’s where I really dove into writing my own material. During lunch I’d go to the practice rooms and just work on songwriting. In addition to that that’s also where I developed my design and worked at home designing accessories, mood boards, and fashion illustrations.
FO: What message do you want to send to others through your work?
IS: Through my work I would like to let people know what I’m creating. Growing up I have a lot of influence from pop, old soul, opera to classical music.
Article | Nancy Vang