We thoroughly enjoyed interviewing recording artist Issie Swickle. Check out her interview below.
Hi, Issie! Thank you for granting the interview. We’re excited to speak with you about your career. What do you enjoy most about acting?
I get to play different roles and step outside of who I am. It can be exhilarating playing someone completely different than who you really are.
What inspired you to become an actress?
My love for theater and performing. Then once I learned how to transition my acting from musical theater to TV it became challenging and enjoyable all at the same time.
Let’s talk about the importance of branding yourself. What advice can you share with aspiring talent?
When you decide about your branding it should be who you are not what other people want you to be. From my brand, I want to be positive and inspire other people to be positive. So long as you stay true to yourself, you can never go wrong.
What has been your biggest challenge in the industry?
Definitely rejection. It’s very hard to continue moving forward when the majority of the time you were faced with being rejected.
What’s the ultimate direction of your career?
At this point, I’m 13 years old so I’d like to try to stay as close to my age as possible to show that it’s OK to be who you are. I also like the trend where the actresses and actors are people and kids that aren’t perfect. That don’t have the perfect face or the perfect body. It’s OK to be different it’s OK to be unique and I like that. I would like to do you play comedic roles because I think naturally I’m funny and it comes naturally to me I’d like to be the next Melissa McCarthy.
Tell us about an upcoming project that you’re really excited about.
I have been working on writing music and my first release is coming out on April 18, titled mirror. It’s very mature for my age and it isn’t sugar and spice. It talks about looking at yourself in the mirror and excepting your faults and doing the best that you can by being you. The mirror doesn’t lie and don’t try to run from it.
Tell us about the BraveHat campaign.
I was on tour for 20-months playing Anny in the national Broadway tour Avante. When I was in Texas, I met this little girl named Siana. I took photos with her and talked with her after the show one afternoon. When I was off the tour I received an email from Siana’s dad. He attached the pictures of us together. And I remembered her. He asked if I could reach out to her and send her an email giving her some guidance. It seems that she froze on stage and was refusing to return to her dance class and didn’t want to go back at all. I decided I would send her a video and in the video, I gave her a few tips
On how to deal with nervousness. I told her it was OK to make a mistake, that no one really knew if she made it so just keep going. I also told her to picture the audience in her underwear. I thought that was pretty funny. I also told her that everybody gets nervous and that when I get on stage I get nervous and that I would tell myself to put my brave hat on. And that’s how Braveheart was born. After I sent the video her dad a month later sent another email saying how I impacted her life and how I should go ahead and tell other kids my story. I realize that I did receive so many emails from so many kids around the country about being afraid, about being who they are, about living their life, and how did I do what I was doing. So I decided to start the platform of Braveheart where I encourage people to never give up, keep persevering, and do you. That you are perfect the way that you are. And that’s how Braveheart was born.
You started co-writing and co-producing original music that released in February 2019. How important is it to write your own music?
I am very particular about the music that I create. I have an amazing producer that I work with and we co-write and Co produce everything together. I want my songs to reflect me, And who I am and what I stand for. My music is being released April 18th. To me, it is important to write your own music, because when you write your own music it reflects who you are and what you’re trying to say. And also, I know that there are other kids and people out there who may be going through something or feeling the same way I am and I hope that they know that they’re not alone. I want my music to touch people.
Tell us about your songwriting process. How do you choose a topic to sing about?
So originally I was told to sit and just write 10 titles. I wrote 10 titles and then I close the book and then when it came time to write my first song I open the book and my music producer said to me, what stands out to you the most? And I answered him very distinctly and said mirror. I’m not and it up being my first song. He asked me what I felt like and what about the mirror was important and I just remember feverishly spitting out things and then writing the words. Once we had the words I thought of the Chun and the Melody that I wanted and then it just starts and flows from there.
What has been your biggest challenge as a singer?
My biggest challenge in music would have to be getting my point across in my music that I’m writing. Performance wise, the hardest part has been transferring from singing Broadway songs and style when you hold a note out for 8 beats to singing a short and concise pop song. It’s completely different breathing techniques involved in those singing genres.
How can fans-to-be gain access to your music?
On April 18th, I’m releasing my first single titled mirror and it will be on iTunes and Spotify. I’m sure it will be on more but they can always check my Instagram page for the links: @issieswickle and on FB IssieSwickle. I also have a website: issieswickle.com that will have all the information about my song releases, where to find them, and when/where I will be performing.
Who are your musical icons/influences?
Billie Eilish and Lady Gaga.
When looking back on the production of your music, what resonated with you the most and why?
The lyrics in Mirror: “Can’t get away from the Mirror, it reflects the truth, Can’t get away from the Mirror, It’s not gonna lie to you”….. that means to me that no one can get away from who they are and what their imperfections are. And it’s OK. Accept and love yourself for who and what you are.
In your opinion, how could a singer make an impact on the world?
By staying True to who you are through your Music and being inspirational in your music. Sometimes things are not always positive, and that’s OK. I talk about things in my music that we’re all misfits which is my second song. And I enjoy being different, I enjoy being a misfit. And everybody should realize that in our own ways were all just misfits.
When looking ahead on your career, what do you hope to achieve and why?
I hope to achieve bringing positivity too many people or even just one. If I can help someone in the understanding that they are not alone, or bring joy, or have fun with my music, the mats in achievement in it of itself.
Who have been your biggest influences?
Lady Gaga has been a huge influence on my singing career because she just puts it all out there all of the time. She gives 100 percent of her self all of the time. It’s inspirational. She gives of herself personally and is extremely charitable!!!
Mandy Moore is another entertainer that I admire. She is a singer, songwriter and actress that I think I am similar too!!! I’ll never forget her performance in “A Walk to Remember”.
If you had to do it all over again, would you still choose this career path? Would you do anything differently?
Yes, I would. I love what I’m doing!!
Do you have anything else you would like to share about your career?
My new single mirror is coming out April 18, I’m so excited for everyone to hear my new song!! I really hope everyone likes it and enjoys it the way I do.
Thank you very much. -Issie
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