Lo-fi alt-R&B that hits its mark every time.
Words: Sam Taylor.
20-year-old Chicago-based artist Serena Isioma is kicking off 2021 with a new video for ‘Meadows in Japan’, a smooth, soothing love song from recent second EP ‘The Leo Sun Sets’, which arrived at the back end of next year. “[The] video follows two friends doing the most to try and each other,” they explain. “I feel like now more than ever it’s hard to keep in touch with our friends. Hopefully, people will see this video and know that they’re not alone. We’re all alone together.” Check it out below, and get to know Serena a little better, too.
Hi Serena, how’s it going? Are you having a good 2021 so far?
It’s definitely been an eventful year so far. I’m alive so that’s cool.
What first sparked your interest in music, then? Have you always wanted to be a musician?
My parents put me in music lessons when I was really young so shout out to them. And honestly, no. I wanted to be an astronaut-slash-princess but I’m a genderless individual who is terrible at math. I had to kiss those dreams goodbye.
And what’ve you been up to so far?
I eat, sleep, and breathe music. I need my debut album to be timeless.
What can you tell us about your recent EP, ‘The Leo Sun Sets’? What’s it about, how did it come together?
‘The Leo Sun Sets’ is about me coming to terms with myself and the world. I pretty much was just writing and recording as major events played out throughout 2020.
How did you approach creating the new video for ‘Meadows in Japan’? Was it challenging with social distancing and such in place?
This video is really cool because it was directed by my friend Rooftop who is most known for being a fashion designer and running his brand Advisry. I flew to NYC and we mapped out the video the day before the shoot. COVID wasn’t much of an issue with shooting. Everyone on our teams knows the drill.
How involved are you in the non-making-music aspects of being a musician? Are you very hands-on?
I am incredibly hands-on, now more than ever. I made the mistake on some past projects of letting other people take over the creative direction of my ideas. Now I know that if I want something done right I’m gonna have to do it myself.
What else are you working on at the moment?
My debut album.
Do songs find you, or do you usually have to find them?
Songs find me. I don’t like to force art.
What would you most like to achieve during your music career?
Just knowing that my music inspires people is all I can ask for as a musician.
Tell us a secret about yourself?
I’m not a natural blonde.
Serena Isioma’s single ‘Meadows in Japan’ is out now.
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