Music

Sarah and Richard Isen Explore Alternate Realities In Family Made Single “Into The Blue”

“Into The Blue” is a progressive folk track channeling Janis Joplin’s neo soul, tinged with the vibrant intricacies of psychedelia.

Sarah and Richard Isen come together in an epic family-made project with their Janis Joplin inspired single “Into The Blue,” out November 12. Painting a colorful soundscape weaving between musical modes, this track is a sonic masterpiece that keeps listeners engaged from beginning to end. “Into The Blue” is a glorious fusion of the most beautiful parts of so many genres; the emotion present in neo-soul, the creativity of psych-rock, and the rawness of folk music. This song was originally written for one of Richard’s musical theater works entitled QUANTUM JANIS that imagined an alternate universe where Janis Joplin ran away from her music career, and opened her own ‘hippie hotel.’ Written by Richard and brought to life with Sarah’s full-bodied, soulful vocals, the two have effortlessly captured something magical with this collaboration. “Into The Blue” characterizes a song this version of Janis might have sang in her later life, accounting for the struggles in her mid-life as well as watching her youthful dream of a hippie utopia die.

Piano & Musical Direction: Tammy Hall, Bass: Daniel Fabricant, Drums: Daria Johnson, Guitars (electric & acoustic): Cam Perrdige, All virtual instruments: Richard Isen, Recording Engineer: Gabriel Shepard, Assistant engineer: Karishma Kumar, Jace Mann, Mixed by Cam Perridge, Mastering by Yoad Nevo.

Sarah considers her uncle one of her greatest influences; for her, this record was the perfect way to give back to someone who she cherishes so deeply. The first time she heard “Into The Blue” on an off-broadway stage, the powerhouse vocalist knew that this was a song she had to perform herself. Sarah, having been a long-time fan of Joplin, acknowledges that while this composition is created in the image of Joplin’s story, “it’s really my uncle Richard’s style of songwriting, very much his version.” Richard explains that he’s “trying to imagine a song Janis might have recorded when she was nearing 60,” he says, “having matured and become more sophisticated musically and lyrically, and no longer interested in singing the ‘my man hurt me’ type songs she’s known for.”

Stream “Into The Blue” on all major streaming platforms on November 12.

More about Sarah and Richard:

Sarah Isen:

Sarah Isen was born to sing. The daughter of LGBT mothers, she was conceived through an anoymous donor in Berkeley, CA and grew up in the same household with her uncle Richard Isen, a professional musician and award winning songwriter for musical theater. Richard recognized her talent at an early age and had her performing at age 8 as he accompanied her on the piano. She studied music as a youngster and eventually was accepted in the Oakland School of the Art as a singing major where she was a member of the award winning a capella group ‘Vocal Rush.’ At age 14 she had her first gig at a local senior center where she performed her favorite songs along with some jazz standards taught to her by her uncle Richard.

In her teenage years, her donor father agreed to let himself be known and it turned out that he too sang and had been a member of a professional group years before. Because of websites like ’23 and Me’, Sarah has discovered 32 half siblings, many of whom also sing. They meet on yearly retreats and many of them came to Los Angeles to cheer Sarah on as she competed on ‘American Idol 2020’ and again when she competed on Fox’s ‘Alter Ego’ as St. Luna.

“Isen’s voice is a wonderful instrument that is fully as melancholy as the sound of an English horn”— The Southern Voice.

As a young girl Sarah was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and later became involved with the Diabetes Awareness movement. She’s worked with parents of diabetic children helping them understand what their child is experiencing. In order to be helpful in emergencies, Sarah got her certification as an EMT and studied Biology and Society as her major at UCLA.

Family is very important to Sarah and she feels very lucky to have such an extraordinarily large and loving family. She is thrilled to have worked on her uncle Richard’s 5 song EP ‘Into The Blue’ and has plans for future releases of her own as she continues to pursue her life as a singer.

Richard Isen:

Once a jazz cocktail lounge piano man, television composer, musical theater experimenter, as well as a software engineer & web pioneer, Richard Isen and his piano threads a dreamy, after-hours melancholy with a wise, compassionate, and oftentimes humorous outlook on life and music. Counting influences ranging from Joni Mitchell to Bill Evans to Shirley Horn to Tom Waits to Tori Amos, Richard Isen has released several recordings including “Let It Fall,” “9 Songs,” as well several original cast recordings of his musical theater works. He holds an MFA in Musical Theater Writing from NYU, an Emmy Award nomination and has received many theater awards and grants through the year including Performing Songwriter magazine naming him Top 12 DIY for his first release ‘LET IT FALL.’

Now retired from his information technology career, Richard spends his days writing, recording, releasing music to the public and occasionally performing. He’s amazed at how the music business has changed and loves that he can record and release his music and find an audience big enough to support his continuing career.

“One of the few men who courts the Joni Mitchell comparison in his ivory-tickling style, his deep blue voice” — Performing Songwriter Top 12 DIY.

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Co-written and produced by the accomplished Jim Eliot, a veteran producer with an impressive portfolio and collaborations with renowned artists such as Ellie Goulding and Kylie Minogue, “In So Deep” was meticulously crafted in the tranquil hills of Wales. The composition captures a sense of airy tranquility, blending sun-drenched sonic nostalgia from the classic 70s piano with heartfelt folk influences and the irresistible shimmer of Swedish pop. This results in a sonorous palette that envelops listeners in a comforting embrace.

Lexi Berg’s lyrics create vivid imagery, portraying scenarios that include hands submerged beneath water, laughter echoing through canyon walls, and hearts racing with each fleeting glance. These intimate vignettes embody the essence of daydreaming, further enriched by her raw, rich vocals, which glide seamlessly over luminous piano melodies complemented by subtle Americana nuances. It evokes the joy inherent in sharing moments with another individual.

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In a music landscape increasingly characterized by cacophony and overwhelming stimuli, “In So Deep” provides an elegant respite. It enables listeners to escape into a realm of love and ephemeral, golden moments infused with genuine emotion, articulating a connection that resonates on a profound level.

CLICK HERE TO STREAM Lexi Berg’s “In So Deep“ on Spotify.
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Album Review

Jangus Kangus shatters melodic boundaries with her debut album “Fortune Cookie”

Jangus Kangus, the intriguing musical force helmed by Jasmine Sankaran, has just cracked open her most audacious project to date, “Fortune Cookie,” an album that intricately weaves genre fluidity and emotional resonances. This collection of eight tracks serves as both a sonic manifesto and a significant milestone in contemporary indie-pop, characterized by unvarnished lyricism and engaging, jangly hooks.

The album commences with “You Only Love Me When,” a seemingly serene acoustic-pop track that establishes the thematic groundwork for a narrative exploration of desires, internal conflicts, and acts of defiance. It poignantly laments love that manifests only through revealed strength, portraying love as a timeless entity, even when entangled with the vices of broken individuals intoxicated by addictive substances. After this introduction, Kangus transitions into the introspective “Double Lives,” a shimmering soul-infused piece that methodically dissects the paradoxes inherent in love and the subdued anguish that frequently accompanies the double lives.

Progressing to “No Future In This,” the album’s melancholic yet assertive dive into romantic realism presents bold lyrical insights. This sentiment escalates into the heartbreak elegy “Our Love Is Dead,” here, rhythmic piano chords evoke a mournful grace that encapsulates the heaviness of lost love, distrust, and betrayal. The track underscores the necessity of relinquishing specific attachments to pivot away from unsafe circumstances, echoing the fortune teller’s chilling proclamation: our love is, indeed, dead. Then comes the wild card “Janakita Kirakita,” an intoxicating burst of sonic dynamism and gleeful experimental composition that injects curiosity and electric charm into the auditory tapestry, boldly challenging convention with every note.

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Featuring an outstanding lineup that highlights the intricate interplay of Steph Anderson on keys and backing vocals, Antonio White on lead guitar, Dan Perdomo on drums, and Ryan Kellis on bass, Jangus Kangus delivers a performance that harmonizes technical proficiency with emotional transcendence. The music constitutes a distinctive addition to diverse playlists, serving as an ideal backdrop for a heartbreak soundtrack or late-night contemplation, thereby ensuring its relevance and recurrence among discerning audiences.

CLICK HERE TO STREAM Jangus Kangus’s Album “Fortune Cookie“ on Spotify.
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