From Trad Music to Experimentations, Isabel Inkcap Goes Raw With Debut “Little King”
IN ONE WORD — raw — Isabel Inkcap’s music is described. The UK-based singer-songwriter has been making music for a considerable amount of her 23 years of life. Her love of poetry and words — shared with her mom — and the musical environment she grew up in thanks to her dad kick-started Inkcap’s desire to write her own songs.
Starting as an experiment, her project grew as the Inkcap became more certain of her potential. She realized what kind of artist she wanted to be — she wanted to distinguish herself from the traditional folk music her father would play around the house when she was growing up.
With the release of her debut single, “Little King,” Inkcap explores her identity as a person and artist while maintaining this intimate and secretive vibe — a combination that is even enhanced by the special venue where she recorded the track.
Currently inspired by Adrianne Lenker from Big Thief, Inkcap grew up surrounded by the sounds of many traditional UK and American revivals, namely Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Simon & Garfunkel, and The Dubliners, all of which was played around her childhood home.
“I think that I’ve found grounding in myself, and collaborating with different people has given my music direction and focus whilst still being experimental,” the artist meditates.
Evolving from traditional music, folk, gospel, and indie, Inkcap now tries to write music that feels timeless and ageless, while simultaneously experimenting with new and exciting sounds.
“This style has just been in me since I was born,” she shares. “I feel like it’s the music I know, and it seems to flow out of me naturally in this way.”
“Little King” was born “out of a search for identity,” exploring the question “Who should I be?” to eventually realize that there’s no set answer. The debut track was produced with her bandmate Tom Davis, and it’s thanks to this pre-existing synergy that the song came together organically.
“This song for me was one of the first songs I wrote where the melody and lyrics really felt like they represented my soul,” she describes. “[It] is a very gentle dissection of myself, and I find that I’ve played with some big questions while still holding a space for love and compassion towards myself.”
This led to “Little King” recording being done live in a church, letting the space and moment speak for itself.
As she continues to make music, Inkcap balances two jobs, which certainly isn’t an easy task. The artist constantly reminds herself, “I am a musician first [who] sometimes needs to earn some extra money.” Although she has yet to go on tour, Inkcap has done mini stints around the UK for festivals.
“I’d love to have a longer time on the road,” she says. “It would be really cool to head up to Scotland and over to Ireland — I’d love to be amongst the trad culture and find some old-school venues to play in. I love traveling so any excuse to head out on the road, I’m all for.”
In the near future, Inkcap hopes to get her hands on a record deal and have an EP ready to be released.
