Today we’d like to introduce you to Isis Damil.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
It’s like a gnawing feeling in your body and you can no longer ignore it… You have to tend to it. I ignored, well suppressed my gifts because I was rebellious growing up. Both of my parents are musicians and I would ask to sing on their gigs. When they started inviting me to sing, I felt forced.
At this point in my life, I decided I wanted to be a dentist and not do music (mostly because my parents asked). I wanted to be different, but I kept putting myself in musical situations like going to camps, taking choir as a course, going to workshops, auditioning for church solos and recording music with friends. I soon realized that my passion could no longer be ignored. I had to tend to it. My parents saw this passion and got my first weekly gig at Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, The world’s oldest Jazz Club. From there, I was in love and chose to nurture my musical passion.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road. It always inspires me to hear other famous artist’s stories about all the “no’s” they received before the one reassuring yes. Right now, I’m in the beginning stages of writing my inspirational story for someone else. One struggle is finding my demographic or my die hard fans. Fans who like my jazzy, r&b sound; which I have now added rap as well. I’d say another struggle is getting music or getting people to help me with creating music or getting help with the execution process. However, my main struggle is my life inside and outside of church. It always caused an inward identity battle as I decided what kind of music I wanted to make and who I wanted to be as an artist.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a vessel. My gift is creating a moment through musical sound with my voice and musical arrangements. I’m most known for mixing jazz and r&b and my range. During shows, I like to play with my whole range to express myself. I’m most proud of my resilience and drive. For example, just last week I found out that a gig that I was preparing for had been canceled one week prior to the gig and also one week prior to a live stream event I hosted, sponsored and performed at. I was prepared for this gig and was determined to perform. Moments like these make me happy I haven’t given up on myself. What sets me apart is my style and the story I have to tell. My story is to tell about my love for clubs and partying on Saturday’s and waking up intoxicated to make it on time for Church on Sunday. I know this is something a lot of people struggle with and can relate to.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
In the next 5-10 years, I see my work and the music industry changing but now I’m not so clear where. Right now, there has been a major shift in the culture due to the pandemic, mixed in with social injustice, unemployment, general life and people need music more than ever to keep sane. I want to be an artist that’s resilient and can survive music as it evolves while still spreading good vibes to all listeners and people in need.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.isisdamil.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/isisdamil/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/isisdamilmusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtWhXwxT8H2wZOuiAazDl7w?view_as=subscriber
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6XypmwFj3QrTTMY328Vexl
Image Credits
Q11 Photography, Gfampro
