Izland Interview: Pearl, Synth Songwriter

 

Your music often feels intimate and understated. How do you decide what parts of yourself to reveal in your work, and what to keep private?

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​If I write a lyric and it makes my toes curl, I’ll either try and find another way to describe or allude to it that is less on the nose or I’ll take it out. The things I currently keep private, I just haven’t figured out a way to write about them yet. I really like being able to leave things in a song, in a controlled world that I can revisit and access when I need or want to. ​

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Little Love touches on self-belief and inner reassurance, but your wider catalogue feels rooted in observation and reflection. How do personal experiences usually shape your song writing?

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They are the main driving force for sure. I used to be a lot more passive and enjoyed letting life happen around me, but have swung to the opposite side now and it is definitely being reflected in my current writing. 

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AI is becoming more present in music creation and distribution. What excites you about it? What concerns you? 

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AI is actually bananas. I write for other people and genres and wrote a gorgeous (if I may say so myself) RnB top-line but my vocals really weren’t hitting the spot so we imported them into Suno and all of a sudden it was like a knock off Ariana Grande was in the room singing my song back to me. It was amazing, and terrifying, and we called her ClAIre and I went home and cried about it. I really don’t know how to feel yet. 

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Do you think AI changes the idea of authorship or emotional authenticity in music? Where do you personally draw the line?

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Yes, it changes a lot. I personally am not in favour of using AI for my own music, that is my line, it is currently quite a strong one!

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As a woman in the music industry, what challenges have felt most persistent and what changes have you genuinely noticed in recent years?

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Ageism irks me. The amount of 25 year olds who are panicking that they are too old to break through and that they are running out of time boggles my brain. 

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How do you protect your creative voice in an industry that often rewards speed, visibility, and constant output?

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Being independent, taking time to build a community, not rushing. 

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What does success look like to you now, compared to earlier in your career?

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Currently for me, success is being able to live off music as a main income. I am still keen on becoming an INTERNATIONAL SYNTH POP SUPERSTAR tho :) 

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What advice would you give to women or independent artists trying to build something sustainable in today’s music landscape?

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If you like writing, then write and sing for other people and projects, if you like producing, mixing, then do the same. I would say, explore lots of different music revenues and don’t limit yourself to one thing if you are interested in more! ​​​​​​

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Could you discuss some of your upcoming events you have over the next 6 months, especially any in London? 

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Yes! I have a gig on the 31st of March at an event called Live at the Libra in Camden. I’m really pushing myself to do more live next year and I hope to see you there! 

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In 5 words, describe yourself as a music artist? 

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Bouncy, ethereal, synth, storyteller, bass 

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What are some qualities or interests people might not know about you?

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I am interested in A LOT! I have a very vivid imagination which helps me think outside of the box, I love poking fun and baiting people, I am obsessed with window shopping (it’s a daily activity) I hate cooking and love nice restaurants, I am really good at jigsaw puzzles, I love botany and plant medicine and foraging and tidying my wardrobe.