Who are you? What do you do/study?

We’re sitting near Hauptbahnhof, just next to the tracks, outside of a kiosk that sells cheap beer and wine. We´ve decided to meet here for the sake of convenience, as time is of the essence. There is always too little time. Like so often when we meet, Isabella is in company. This time, the 20-something year old singer-song-writer and part-time B.A. student of Latin and English from Hamburg has brought along a young student who majors in communication. Her dark locks frame her inquisitive, freckled features, her eyes are darting around, as if searching for something. She laughs heartily as we talk. It´s a full-bellied laugh that is both contagious and warm.

What or who inspired you to start making music? How long have you been playing an instrument (and which) or singing?

Tba: So Isabella, you play music sometimes on Schanze, right?

I.F.: Yeah, I busk.

Tba: So what´s that like in Hamburg?

I.F.: I´d say it´s a little bit awkward. I used to busk in Ireland, it was quite normal there. But here, everyone just thinks you´re homeless and kind of treats you like a homeless person. I had a lot of weird experiences busking on Schanze.

Tba: How did you start making music?

I.F.: I played the piano when I was a kid, but I didn´t like it. So that´s why I switched to playing guitar. At first, I only wanted to play the guitar, so I wasn´t singing at all. But then I started singing, and it worked out.

How would you describe your style?

 Tba: Your lyrics are pretty personal. Or at least they seem personal. What is the meaning behind them?

I.F: Yeah, I think it´s important to convey empathy. That´s what I´m interested in, conveying feelings. So I think it´s personal to me but it can be understood on a more general level, I don´t think the lyrics are particularly about people or situations, more about feelings.

 Tba: Who are your musical influences?

 I.F.: I really like a lot of old singer-songwriter and blues musicians, Bob Dylan for example.

 *tba and me/Tell us one random fact about you (e.g. party trick, hidden talent)

Isabella learned about *tba from friends who performed at past *tba presents events. Her hidden talents must remain hidden for reasons that will not be revealed here (and the interviewer may have forgotten to ask because this interview might have taken place before *tba presents was scheduled).

Note: This interview has been abbreviated and adjusted for the sake of the profile. A more detailed interview will be up after the event.