Following a seven-year “creative hiatus,” the distinctly talented multidisciplinary artist Issa Ibrahim is today releasing his 20th recorded effort. After listening to it with great anticipation, we posed a few questions to Issa:
The songs on this album were written between 2004 and 2012. What spurred you to record and release this album at this particular time?
I am reclaiming a part of myself that had been dormant since 2015 — when Trump first announced that he was running for President. Although these song were written back then, they are as timely now as they were years ago.
How long did it take you to produce the album?
I had 12-15 notebooks filled with songs. Once I decided which songs to include, I spent 9-10 months layering the tracks on my computer.
Can you tell us something about the album’s title? Why “God’s Radio?”
When I go through a psychotic process, I feel like I’m riding a current beyond myself. And it comes out exactly the way God intended.
All of your songs are so catchy! We loved listening to them. Who have been some of your musical influences?
Among them are: Chuck Berry, Bob Dylan, the Beatles, Brian Wilson and Elvis Costello.
Who is your perceived audience? What would you like your listeners to walk away with?
With both my art and my music, I try not to have any expectations regarding my audience. I don’t want to be disappointed. But I would love my audience to appreciate the music and walk away with a feeling of hope.
Several of your songs are rife with social commentaries on racism, greed, corporate America, pretension and more. Are there any particular messages you are intent on conveying?
Inclusion, anti-capitalism, enlightenment and, particularly, maintaining hope in these desperate times.
How can folks listen to your new release?
It is being released today, September 12, on all platforms including Spotify and Apple. And you can check out new videos from the album dropping every week on YouTube.
Interview conducted by Lois Stavsky with questions by Tara Murray; paintings by Issa Ibrahim, 3 & 4 photographed by Lois Stavsky
