RouteNote Interviews: Isaac Chambers

Interview

RouteNote Interviews: Isaac Chambers

By Jacca-RouteNoteJanuary 14, 20169 mins read

Isaac Chambers is a quadruple threat – Producer, performer, musician and vocalist. With ten years of experience creating music under his belt you’d be hard pressed to pin Isaac’s music down to a single category. Since beginning his musical career Isaac has headlined festivals, played in numerous clubs across the South Pacific, created a viral YouTube hit with Ruby Rose Mulcahy and collaborated with numerous artists including Antix, Hedflux, Loopus in Fabula, Spoonhead and more.

Isaac isn’t afraid to blend genres and produces using both live and electronic instrumentation. In just the past few years we’ve seen two full length albums, five EPs and over ten singles from the eclectic musician. With a great new collaborative EP made between himself and Dub Princess that beautifully blends dub and reggae vibes with Dub Princess’ soulful voice and another album on the way we wanted to ask Isaac a bit about himself and his music.

How did you originally get into music, was it a natural passion or something you’ve learned to love?

I started playing guitar at age 9 and it triggered an unquenchable thirst for musical creativity. I performed in rock bands through my teens before discovering electronic music. Eventually I began fusing live instrumentation with electronic elements, getting to the sound I make today. I began very quickly to compose my own material, never really feeling a draw to perform other people’s songs. Every time that inspiration turns up i get to experience this creative bliss that only comes from making something from scratch. I live for those moments!

How did you learn your craft as a musician and producer?

Just straight up time and patience and years of listening to all types of music, gathering inspiration and techniques. I am self taught.

You recently released an EP you recorded with Dub Princess, how did that partnership come about and how was it working together?

We were introduced through a mutual friend from New Zealand. The recording process was easy and smooth. My music and her vocal style seemed to effortlessly mesh together. Dub Princess writes heartfelt, soulful lyrics and we both connected on a shared vision of spreading good vibes through music.

If you could collaborate on a track with anyone, past or present, who would you choose and why?

Bob Marley. Who else has made such a universal impression of Love and Unity. The world needs more Peaceful Warriors.

Imagine you are stuck on a desert island and can only take 3 tracks to listen to and one possession, what would you choose?

Way I Feel – Trinity Roots

A kiwi band and my personal favourite group of all time, their music has encouraged and inspired me at many points throughout my life. Pure Soul.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4g-hb5fqe4?rel=0&w=640&h=200]

Slipping Into Darkness – Darker Than Blue: Soul from Jamdown 1973-1980

This is a Lee Scratch Perry re-make of an early 70’s soul tune. Pure Jamaican reggae gold.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bky4aIkGii0?rel=0&w=640&h=200]

Concrete Jungle – Bob Marley

To remind me what I have left behind

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y07vgARrOUE?rel=0&w=640&h=200]

One Possession

One old fat National Geographic magazine, with long articles and map inserts.

If you can choose, which of your own tracks would you say is your favourite or you are most proud of?

Marahua from the EP Cicada Sessions. It was a beautiful flowing collaboration with Canadian musician Prosad. We created it in an old bus overlooking the ocean in New Zealand, a very inspiring musical moment for sure.

You’ve got another full album coming in the next few months, what can we expect from it?

The next album is a fusion of Conscious Hip-Hop and earthy downbeat vibes mixed with a good dose of Funk. Lots of songs featuring myself on the mic plus a few collaboration tunes with my musical Sista Hoop Dogg. She has one of the most unique voices I have ever worked with and super fun energy that always gets the place poppin’.

How does 2016 look for Isaac Chambers, what have you got planned?

I will be performing at a lot of festivals here in Australia over the Summer season. On top of the full length album with Hoop Dogg I am releasing a 5 song EP with my Soul Brother Matt Hall (A.K.A Blue Moon) in the middle of the year and also a full length Techno album around the same time.

From June I will be on tour in the U.S and Canada for the Northern Summer. Then back to Australia to start working on a World music album that I plan to record throughout the Middle East in 2017. My goal is to bring together artists from different Nations, to spread a message of peace through the universal language of music.

What advice would you give to other aspiring musicians and producers?

Create soulful music that benefits humanity and brings positive energy to the planet.

Follow your passion no matter what.

Never give up.

Check out Isaac Chambers’ ‘Dub, Hip-Hop & Downbeat’ playlist on SoundCloud featuring his new EP with Dub Princess:

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