First Draft - Feature Article

The secret to brand new artist Isabella Marcia’s love for music, incredible rise to fame and what happens next...

Isabella Marcia must be one of the luckiest females in musical history. Just a year ago she was singing with her father in her home town of Spain. And know she is put alongside the likes of Taylor Swift, Florence and the Machine and Coldplay! The 18-year-olds original talent, pure singing voice and cute personality have shot her into stardom and she just cannot believe it. But what can we expect from this fresh new talent? What’s the real story behind her success? Let’s find out in her first ever interview...

So, how’s life been for the rising star?
Ha. Well to be honest it’s all hitting me so fast, but the pace of it all is making me more enthusiastic about my music.

What have you enjoyed the most over this past year?
Most definitely the tour! I was just so overwhelmed with the crowd screaming back at me, it’s unbelievable. It made me realise how much people appreciate my music.

Where did your passion for music come from?
I’d have to say my family, as my father is Spanish he has a very strong love for music and so it became a main part of my childhood. I can remember us making songs together and performing them to our family.

Is your father the reason you learnt to play guitar?
Yes. He taught me to play all kinds of instruments but guitar is my favourite. I feel like I lose myself in a melody with a guitar, I love the natural sound it makes. I can make a song from thin air with a guitar in my hands.

Your new single ‘You make me happy’ is doing very well in the charts! Where did it come from?
The song is purely based on my father. It’s like basically a thank you to him for all the support and care he has given me. And of course I am so grateful for how well the record has done. I would never have expected it to have been so successful. For me it was just a personal message that I needed to fulfil, the fact that everyone understands it is just a bonus.

And of course your album’s on the way. Full steam ahead?
It is, oh I had so much fun making the album. I got to work with some truly amazing people; Chet Atkins co-produced it along with myself. I sing duets with Taylor Swift, Florence and the Machine, its crazy! Plus it’s just so refreshing to finally be able to have an album with all my own lyrics, knowing that I’ve created my music is absolutely phenomenal.


It all sounds great, how long do we have to wait for the album to be realised?
[Excitedly] The album is being realised in the New Year January 2010, I get butterflies every time I say that.

You probably got huge butterflies when performing on tour then?
I loved the tour. Even though I was performing all my acoustic songs, and I had never sang in front of a crowd that immense before, it was totally brilliant and I felt so much at home on stage. I could not have wished for a more wonderful first touring experience.

How did you manage to prepare yourself for each gig?
I’d have about ten cups of tea, ring my dad, and then before I knew it I was on stage.




You met and sang along side some pretty big stars, who were your favourite?
I loved performing with every single act; it made the tour seem beyond unbelievable for me. I mean not everyone gets to sing with Lilly Allen, Duffy and Coldplay! I have to say I got to know Duffy very well from the tour we became good friends. She’s a remarkable person and I’m really fond of her music.

Did you feel any pressure of singing other artist songs with them on stage that you had changed?
Mmm, I wouldn’t say that I have changed their songs I was just having fun with them. I have a lot of respect to all of the artist and their songs; if I didn’t there would have been no inspiration for me to adapt them into my own individuality. But, yes, I did feel very nervous, because I was singing their songs together with them in my own style. It was just all a bit mindboggling.

Not that you have anytime left in your hectic schedule but what else has Isabella got in store?
Truthfully I can’t wait to do more. I have my first ever red carpet appearance this winter and I’m so excited! I’ve started doing a lot of promotional work for my album which is great