The Spanish music scene is full of exciting new bands and Isla Lavanda is a great example of that. The band consists of Robin and Rachel but they often perform with other musicians, including Silvia and Luna, creating an all-female team on stage. We had the chance to interview frontwoman Robin to learn more about their music and journey. Enjoy!
Your latest project is the remix of No sé tu nombre" How did the idea for the remix come about, and what was the creative process like?
Well, this song is inspired by the books of Noemí Casquet, a writer, sexologist and psychologist. The truth is we wrote this song a couple of years ago, at a time when my group of friends was going through a period of change. We spent the whole summer together, and these books influenced us a lot. In the books, the main characters go through something similar: they travel with their partner after a long time, together with a group of friends. It was a beautiful and unique gesture, different from other songs because we actually wrote it as a group. At first, we read the books together and then we met to write the lyrics, keeping in mind what they made us feel. Now, the remix is a bit more electronic, which is the style we’re currently working on.
Great! And when did you start taking your music career seriously?
I’ve always taken it seriously because we love music so much, but it's true that now the project has matured. It has reached a point where I really like what we’re doing. We’re fully committed to it. We made several attempts to make our sound more electronic but we didn’t really know how to do it at first. Over time, we learned and refined our sound. I think that now, with the support of Mark from Nebulossa and Atomic Studio, we’ve taken a more professional step forward. Musically, I’d say that when we started recording the songs for this new album, that’s when we truly committed to the project.
If you had to recommend one Isla Lavanda song to someone who has never listened to your music before, which one would it be and why?
That’s a tough one… it depends on who is asking! But, for example, we were really surprised by the response to Eskoda, which we dedicated to our friends. It’s a song about going out and partying with your friends, sharing moments and memories. People are really enjoying it, it's a very happy song with a strong friendship vibe. Then there’s our cherry on top: Estoy hasta el coño, which has been very well received. So I’d say Eskoda and Estoy hasta el coño.
How would you describe your musical style?
We define ourselves as indie-pop electronic. Initially, we were more rock-oriented but now we’re pushing the project more towards pop, especially in terms of melodies and of course a lot of electronic elements. That’s what best defines our sound.
Which artists inspire you the most?
There are many, but mainly Spanish artists like Ginebras and Cariño… We also take some inspiration from the style of rock and dance bands, as well as music from the '80s.
What do you think about the lack of female producers and women in studios in general? Have you noticed this issue?
Yes, it’s absolutely true. I’m a sound technician as well as a musician, and I also studied production. I can tell you that I’ve worked with many people but the majority have been men. I think there’s still a lack of trust in women doing this kind of work. Even as a woman in the studio, I still experience people doubting me just because of my gender. It happens less than before but it still happens. I think it’s a cultural issue that we need to change. Women are just as capable as men when it comes to being producers, and we shouldn’t be treated differently. We all need to change our mindset, including women who tend to trust male producers more.
How would you describe your experience as a singer in the Spanish music industry?
It’s a tough world, especially because music is very demanding vocally. It can be tough, but also very rewarding because you connect with the audience. I consider myself more of a musician than a singer because I’ve always played instruments, but now I’m the lead singer of the band. The music industry is complicated, but I love singing because it’s my way of expressing myself.
Do you have any advice for other girls who want to enter the music industry?
My advice is not to compare yourself to anyone else. People often tell you that you have to sing like someone else, and that you won’t make it unless you sing like Celine Dion, for example. But the most important thing is to find your own personality and style. Anyone can learn to sing but what makes a person unique is their personality and their voice. So my advice is not to diminish yourself and to believe in your own potential. Also, it’s always good to take singing lessons but never change your voice to sound like someone else.
How many members are there in the band at the moment?
Right now, we’re two girls but for this tour, there will be four of us playing together. The band consists of Luna, Silvia (our bassist), Rachel and I and we’re taking an all-female team on tour.
Finally, is there a song that reminds you a lot of Spain?
Yes! I really love Lady Madrid by Leiva, and also Madrid sin ti by Niña Polaca. Both are very characteristic songs that talk about Madrid.
You can follow Isla Lavanda here and listen to her music here: