cloud collecting #5: Isabel Pine
understanding vision, experiencing wildness + letting go of expectations
cloud collecting includes 3-question interviews with women and gender-expansive artists discussing their creativity. I'm excited to have Isabel Pine share a few insights into her process. I recently discovered her gentle and thoughtful music from Zoe Polanski’s monthly playlist + via DJ Alex’s 'Pacific Notions’ show on KEXP. Her answers left me feeling much like her music does, leaning into nature’s beauty and welcoming unhurriedness.
Isabel Pine is a classically trained violist, composer and producer. Her music blends elements of ambient, classical, and experimental music. Through string textures, electronics and field recordings, come the vivid colors, subtle melodies, and soundscapes of her world. Isabel has released two EPs, including her latest release, Where the Flowers Grow (2024), among several singles. Her music has been featured on BBC’s Radio 3, KEXP’s Pacific Notions, Nowness, Spotify’s Classical New Releases, among more.
1. Your new ep 'Where The Flowers Grow' has been on repeat for me and will undoubtedly be a favorite of 2024. Can you share what inspired the album's creation and how making this collection of songs felt different from your previous EP's?
When I was making my first EP, it was a lot about finding where to root. When I was recording ‘Where the Flowers Grow’ I had more of an understanding of my process and vision, which was both grounding and really freeing. It was also the coming together of several different approaches that I had been exploring. There’s a synth-based track, a piece that was recorded entirely outside (on cello), and several that were recorded in this little cabin. It was really interesting to see how these different approaches could come together in a cohesive way.
2. What brought you to using stringed instruments in such a meditative form? Was it a person, experience, other musician, natural place?
I spent a lot of time training to be a violist growing up, but ended up dropping out of music school. A couple of years later, I felt like there was something missing and I wanted to rebuild my relationship to my instrument and music. When I realized that I could create from the beginning, building with the tones and textures I loved, something clicked. Around this time I was spending a lot of time in a remote place in the mountains of British Columbia. I had never experienced such wildness, realness, rawness, and beauty. When I looked around at the trees and saw how different each one was - the gnarled bark, the hairy lichen, and the oozing sap - I started to understand what beauty really is. I am so inspired by this.
3. How do you cloud collect (connect to childlike wonder) in your creativity?
Letting go of any expectations and through a lot of experimentation. I get really excited about things that I don’t expect to happen or haven’t heard before. I also really love film photography. With a camera I can see things for the first time again. It’s like my eyes are being re-opened to what’s all around.
I just finished listening to Where The Flowers Grow, it’s a beautiful collection of music. The interview and music are both inspiring.