An Exclusive Interview with (i am) isis
June 7, 2012

1) Please Introduce yourself.
(i am) isis is a high energy, in-your-face band formed and fronted by a poet-turned-rocker soul chic, me!  the band currently consists of guitarist Diamond Dave, bassist Mike Koltosky, drummer Manny Mav, and keys Isaac Childs who bring my crazy, color-filled melodies to life on stage.our mission is to find you, feel you and free you. i put my soul into my lyrics and performances with the hope that we can move you and make you feel something more than a beat or a note.

2) How did you come up with your stage name?
(i am) isis is both my rebirth name and one of my life’s philosophies.
as my rebirth name, i literally was introduced to “isis” in a book having nothing to do with Egypt, but the name glowed — i swear!. so, at the age of 12 or 13, i scavenged for everything and anything related to her and really clicked with on it.adding the “(i am)” — BEFORE Diddy and any sort of bandwagon — signifies that i am just me. no crazy titles/fakeness or anything. and the lowercase shows that i have no delusions of goddess grandeur. i’m just being true to who i am and have become.

3) What sets you apart from other artists?
our sound and energy!!  dubbed spoken soul, it’s an eclectic fusion of everything i grew up with. we often receive feedback on our captivating our show’s energy is when they come. and, we’re honest with our music. no gimmicks or marketing tricks. just us rocking out – and that’s becoming more and more rare in this age of commercialism.

4) What single or project are you currently promoting?
i am currently promoting the single “I Saw You”. it’s just been nominated for the 2012 National Poetry Awards “Spoken Word Single of  Year”!  typically, i am thrashing and rocking out, but this one is a complete nod to my poetry roots. It’s even been called “a bluesy funk for the new millenium”. folks interested in supporting, can vote here http://www.thenationalpoetryawards.com/#!official-npa-voting  through June 20.

And our album, amazingly random, finally, releases in the fall! did i say finally?

5) What is the philosophy by which you live by?

i have two major philosophies. one, is that “i’d rather die standing than live on my knees”. I will always fight for what i know is right. the second is, “i am”. as long as i continue to embrace and love my very being, there is nothing that can deter me from my dreams!

6) What concert did you last go to?

hmm. i think the last concert i went to strictly as an audience member was Lenny Kravitz. if it wasn’t, sorry, but Lenny did the damn thing!!! (can i be just a LITTLE bit like him when i grow up?). the last concert the band was a part of featured the incomparable jessica Care moore – who is also a poet turned rocker. sitting at the feet of her and other poetic luminaries was beyond inspiring.

7) What is your opinion of the current state of the music industry?
wait. there is still an industry? hmmmm.

(8) If you could change one thing about the music industry what would it be and why?
that artistic integrity/merit, not gimmick, is what defines the success of an artist.

9) Are there any singers that you would like to collaborate with in the future?
my dream list of collaborations include Cee Lo Green, Andre 3000, Rage Against the Machine and P!nk.

10) What producer would you like to collaborate with in the future?
I would love, love to work with Missy Elliot/Timbaland! Their inhibitions and creativity in production and writing are off the wall.

11) What Is your favorite movie and favorite book?
i don’t do well with favorites. my mind changes waaay too much. two of the movies i currently watch over and over are Avatar  and Alice in Wonderland. the last book i’ve reread is Vibrational Medicine. yeah, i’m kind of a nerd…

12) What is your favorite part of your live show? How has It evolved?
my mission is to “find you, feel you, and free you,” so my favorite part of our live shows is connecting with the audience. that moment when you look out and you know someone’s been hit by a word, a chord, a thought and it completely resonates with them. that’s awesome – and rewarding.

13) What is your LP going to be like?
it’s going to be AMAZINGLY RANDOM — a blend of thrashing rock, heartfelt soul, muted rhymes and all things musical!

14) Any final words for the people.
i just want to encourage people to “get free”! get out of those boxes society puts us in and find the power in our own voice!

Media Contact:
Kay Harmon
DW World Media