Meet Isla Invisible

A self-portraits by, Isla Invisible

Would you rather…

be transported permanently 500 years into the future or 500 years into the past? What would you do?

Julian: 500 Years into the future, I really just want to see if the planet still exists and if so, if it is still inhabitable.

Ryan: I think I’ll choose 500 years in the past because I have no idea what 500 years in the future will be like. 500 years ago would be the end of the Renaissance period so if I could do anything, it seems as good of a time as any to move to Italy and start a career in painting and sculpture.

Some questions with Isla Invisible

Hello there, nice to meet you. Can you tell me a little more about your project who is Isla Invisible?

Ryan: To me we are 3 creative artists and friends that found a space together through music. Isla Invisible is the creation that we have developed over the past few years.

Julian: We're a trio of islanders living in New York getting together to make music and get excited and inspired by each other’s contributions.

What is your favorite park in New York City? Why?

Julian: Central Park, it’s a great park to have a picnic in after hitting a museum or going to see a show at Summer Stage.

Ryan: Transmitter Park in Greenpoint. This is a park I lived near and continue to visit as a space I often feel connected to personally, and have fond memories in.

Rebecca: Prospect Park is the best - sorry Julian. I love putting up a hammock and taking naps there during hot summer days. It also offers summer shows at the Bandshell, it’s right next to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, the Brooklyn Museum and more importantly, it’s walking distance for me. There’s also acres and acres of woodland and I enjoy mushroom hunting on the south side of the park.

What attracts you to the darker, more ethereal sound in your music?

Julian: I’m not sure it’s a conscious effort, it’s just what we end up with after the amalgamation of all our influences. That being said, a lot of my influences tend to be on the darker/more melancholy side.

Ryan: Just like how some music is meant to dance to, other music can connect with us in different ways. I think this sound is how we have connected with each other, whether we have pushed each other this way or not, it is a natural attraction.

Rebecca: I always say that your context precedes you and maybe coming from a colony of the USA has a bit to do with it. It could be a way of coping or an outlet of sorts.

Who is your favorite one hit wonder?

Rebecca: Nena’s “99 Luftballons”.

Ryan: Jonathan Wolff - Seinfeld theme.
Julian: Has to be Jordy’s - Dur Dur D'être Bébé! He was a 4 year old French rapper, need I say more?

Tell us a little more about this recent Split EP you put out with Adiós Cometa. What was the creative process like?

Julian: Our label Velvet Blue approached us about it and we really liked Adios Cometa so we thought it was a great idea. We had been working on a lot of new material over the pandemic and it was good to have a deadline to finish some of them. The creative process varies from song to song but usually it starts with a guitar part or vocal melody, we figure out an overall structure and then record drums. By this point we usually know what the song wants to be. Then it's just fleshing it out and finding the right mood and lyrics. Our Collapse started with an iphone recording of a vocal melody that Rebecca sent me and then we wrote the music around it. Bandaged was the opposite- music first.

Ryan: It was really fun and I’m very excited to have also made some new friends with them along the way. Our process seems like it is always ongoing in that we always have working ideas. I think this EP with Adios Cometa allowed us to identify the rest of what Our Collapse and Bandaged wanted to be with this project in mind.

What above all else did you want to come through the release?

Ryan: Hopefully those who listen feel their own connection to it.
Julian: That it is a labor of love and that hopefully we are growing as artists with every release. I was always fascinated and inspired by artists like Bill Callahan/Smog. Following the creative trajectory as they developed, explored new directions and cemented a unique voice.

What does your family think about your music?

Ryan: They love it and are all very supportive. I know some of them have our music added to their own playlists.

Julian: They like it and are very supportive. My 6 month old doesn’t seem too into it though.

What's next for Isla Invisible? Any shows lined up, or are you going to get back to writing new music?

Julian: We have a lot of songs that are almost done so we’re focusing on writing for the moment.

Ryan: We have a lot of music in various stages of writing. I would like to get more of that out into the world. Maybe make another music video to go along with it.

What is your favorite childhood book?

Julian: Lucky Luke was always my favorite and I’ve had a soft spot for westerns ever since.

Ryan: I’ll say here that my favorite children’s book to give out to my friend’s kids now is The Day the Crayons Quit. I like it because it’s an introduction to collective action.

A Dreamy Discussion With Isla Invisible