Introducing Interview: Greta Isaac

Welsh artist Greta Isaac creates superbly crafted, glitchy electro-pop, fusing together classical instrumentation with unsettling beats and innovative electronic experimentation.

With a new single out now, and set to play Festival No. 6 next month, we caught up with Isaac to find out more…

Hi Greta, welcome to Gigslutz! Can you tell us a little bit about your latest musical project?
Hi Gigslutz! My latest project, Creatures of Habit, is all about the subtle unhealthy traits that make us flawed. I magnify them and write from the perspective of various neurotic characters.

What initially inspired you to start creating music?
I grew up in a pretty musical household. Creating things, whether that was music or art, was always encouraged and celebrated. I’d say the defining moment for me was when I heard Rufus Wainwrights album Poses – that really set the tone for the kind of music I wanted to write. Sarcastic, sleazy, heartbreaking and theatrical all at once.

We’re loving the new single ‘Comfortable’ – what’s it all about?
‘Comfortable’ is about being content with turning a blind eye to social, political, global issues – that ‘out of sight out of mind’ habit that we’re all guilty of.

It seems to be a bit of a change in direction from your previous, more folky-sounding, work – did anything specific trigger this development of your sound?
I started working with Jacob Attwooll – an amazing producer and songwriter. I found that I wanted to evoke so much more in my songs that went beyond the initial writing. We went back and forth with different ideas for a few months, then came up with this fusion of organic, percussive instrumentation and electronic, glitchy samples.

You’ve been compared to the likes of Grimes, but who would you say are your main musical influences?
Nickel Creeks Why Should The Fire Die album and Son Lux’s Bones album.

How is your local music scene? Do you go to see lots of live music?
Cardiff has a humble, exciting creative scene. There’s always something cool to see. I haven’t seen a show in a good while, but a gig that’s recently stood out to me was Sivu in a chapel in Cambridge back in May.

As we’re a new music focused site, are there any other new/upcoming bands or artists you’d suggest we check out?
Sasha. Her voice and lyrics just melt me. She’s got such an ear for an interesting pairing of melody and chord progression. You can find her on all social platforms at @iamsashamusic .

And how do you feel the music industry is for new artists at the moment – would you say it’s difficult to get noticed?
I guess it’s sticking out from a sea of ever developing innovative sounds. But as long as you stay true to what you want to create and what message you want to get across, the rest doesn’t really matter.

Finally, what does the rest of 2017 have in store for Greta Isaac?
New music in September and I’m playing a full band show in Brixton on the 5th of September (tickets available online). Also, I’m really excited to play Festival No.6 in Portmeirion this year too.

Huge thanks for answering our questions!
No, thank you.

‘Comfortable’, the new single from Greta Isaac, is out now.