Issadora Ava’s latest indie pop EP, No One Belongs Here More Than You, dropped on February 28th in collaboration with Pac Ave Records, University of the Pacific’s student-run record label.

Featuring four original songs, written by Issadora and collaboratively produced with the student sound engineers of Pacific, the EP evokes the dreamy sounds of other indie acts such as Clairo or Mitski who are also known for their passionate voices.

The EP details the world through Issadora Ava’s eyes, intent on sharing the experiences and her journey as a member of the LGBT community. Posting on Instagram after a recent concert she said,

I write songs about girls. And that’s okay. To put all of myself into my art makes me feel very vulnerable … I continue to put all of myself in my art and speak out for those who can’t.”

No One Belongs Here More Than You follows up on her Summer 2019 EP, You Don’t Live Here Anymore. It marks a more mature sound for her, in part because of the collaboration with both the Pac Ave label staff and the studio engineers who helped bring the music to life.

This project really challenged me and has helped me grow,” Issadora remarked, “as a songwriter and a performer.”

Sami Fong, who co-produced the EP with Issadora, added,

I enjoyed making this project come to life, taking it from it’s pre-production stage of lyrics and melodies to a complete mixed and mastered EP working side by side with Issadora.”

Grammy-recognized songwriter and producer, Cliff Goldmacher, previewed the EP during a residency at Pacific.

Issadora’s EP is marked by a maturity and confidence in production, songwriting and performance that would make it a stand out at any level of the industry, let alone for students at the beginning of their musical journey. I’m very impressed.”

The future looks bright for Issadora Ava. Her vocal and instrumental abilities, her knack for writing meaningful lyrics that speak about and to the LGBTQ experience, and her relentless drive to keep improving her craft, bode well for this emerging indie-pop artist.

In this interview spotlight, I chat with Issadora about the EP, challenges, technology and more. (She might not have been prepared to tell me she had just listened to a Bieber song…LOL).

Full Q&A along with links and music below.

Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)

I was born in San Diego, CA but I spent the last couple years in Florida, but I’m back in San Diego. I don’t know if this is going to make sense but, urban. It crosses multiple genres. People would consider my music electronic, but also indie and folk. Genres are constantly interacting. To put my music in a box just doesn’t feel right.

What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to keep going?

I grew up in a musically inclined family. My dad was a guitarist, my sister a… and my mom a pianist. I also grew up in the entertainment industry. I remember when I was 12 and I was in a show in NY and …. Told me that I should consider songwriting. Now it’s become something that has become natural.

The people in my life. My music is very personal. If I’m not doing well in my personal life, I think it’ll show in my music. Usually my number one inspiration and supporters are my mom, and my sister, and my girlfriend, and all my friends.

How is this new release different than previous ones? Were you trying to accomplish anything specific?

I would say it’s my first time working with a student-run record label. I’ve never had this much support in my music. This past couple of months working on this EP alone was being in the studio past midnight and producing with elements outside of my comfort zone. I’ve never had such a supportive team promote me and have hope for me. Usually, it’s just been myself and my mom, and to have so many people back me up makes me feel like I can have a career in this.

I think particularly the songs in this EP were a lot softer than my previous ones. I spoke towards my emotional sides. Someone once told me icons don’t sing about sadness and breakups. But I don’t know, making it so personal and so vulnerable are the songs people are telling me they can relate to. That is the goal at the end of the day.

Name one or two challenges you face as an indie musician in this oversaturated, digital music age? How has technology helped you (since we know it does help)?

It’s knowing when to mix and introduce synths and electronic music into music I like. Nowadays it is easy to produce drums and guitars and make it sound real. It is a lot harder to record acoustic instruments and make it sound good. It is knowing when to balance the two.

Technology has helped me experiment with my sound. I’m only 19, I don’t have a very strong sound that I’m confident with. The sound I have with my first EP is different from… I am still learning who I am, and I can’t promise my next release will sound the same. Technology will help me grow as a songwriter, artist, and producer.

What was the last song you listened to?

(laughs) The last song I listened to was intentions by Justin Bieber

Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?

From that list, I would say vinyl. If I could add something, I would say cassettes. I remember I have 2 cassettes of one of the first times I talked to my mom, and the first time my sister talked to me. I like using something that we don’t use anymore. I see pictures of my family members wearing headphones and having their cassette players on their hip. I would love to go back to that I would rock that.

How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?

I prefer apple music. I use both, but I have a membership with apple music. To actually look at the artist is easier on apple music. But on Spotify I like how they curate music and discover new artists and new music. But apple music is where I focus on the artist I like.

Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?

Best place to connect with me online is Instagram or LinkedIn. The best place to discover my music are Spotify and apple music. YouTube is another good one if you want to check out my music videos. @issadoraava @pacaverecords

Anything else before we sign off?

Growing up every time I got reject, my mom always said to always leave that situation with a smile. I feel like I can take that advice with anything I do. With music I feel like I face everything opposite of rejection. My mom being my number one supporter, it’s crazy, when I write about songs about girls. It’s everything.