Today’s generational pool of young talent are unapologetically taking up space. They are making a name for themselves on the global stage making a significant impact on their audience.
Isabelle Fries is one of these talents. The 23-year-old singer can be linked to an upcoming Stevie Nicks mixed with Lana Del Rey. She appeared on the music scene with her tracks such as ‘ Fight For Me, ‘Just a Dreamer’, Scrapbook’ and her newest single, “What Can I Do”.
As a singer, educator and philanthropist, Isabelle is always on the move, whether in the studio with Grammy-award-winning composer Rob Chiarelli and songwriter Seth Bear, singing on stage, or shooting magazine covers in Los Angeles.
Isabelle also divides her time between planning projects for the foundation she passionately developed in Uganda while fulfilling her role as a Special Education Middle-School teacher in Denver, Colorado. Isabelle Fries is out to prove that she is more than what meets the eye, and in everything that she does, there is no malice, just a pure heart.
Glamour South Africa chats with the multi-hyphenated singer about how she keeps herself grounded, stays fit, and mentally prepared in all that she does.
Who is your most significant musical influence? How did they help you become the musician you are today?
Isabelle Fries: I have a lot of influences and people that shaped who I am as an artist, but my all-time favourite is Elton John. He is my idol in many ways, and I am just a bit obsessed with him. His raw talent and ability to make you feel like you’re on a roller coaster of emotions with him in every song make him iconic.
His clothes, on-stage presence, and charisma make him impossible not to idolise. On top of his musical career, he is a fantastic activist and has done an incredible job combining his music with his passion for activism.
Upon listening to some of your songs on Spotify and noticed how light and inspiring they are. Where did these emotions come from and do you create your songs?
Isabelle Fries: I create my songs with an incredible LA writer, Seth Bear. He is the talent behind the music and behind the scenes. He has this crazy ability to know precisely how to put my life experiences or my current emotions into lyrics that make it all come to life.
Even if I don’t write all of my music, I never put a song out that I don’t connect to on a personal level. Authenticity is the most important thing to me, and Seth does a fantastic job at making that come through.
Now that we’re talking about motivation. Can you tell us the importance of establishing a morning routine and how it affects your weekly energy?
I always ensure that my day starts with a healthy dose of sunlight, good exercise to wake up my mind, and a decent amount of time writing down what I have planned for today. While it may sound cliche, I always believed that jotting down ideas can turn into plans that set the tone for the week, even if things don’t always go the way I want them to.
As a former athlete, what is the importance of eating nutritious food to nourish your mind and body?
I have always firmly believed in doing what is suitable for your body. Being in the industry showed me that. It’s a big reason I do things my way and am happy with it. Regarding my food, I don’t count calories or constantly put myself on the scale. I don’t think that bodes well for anyone since it causes too much anxiety and expectations about what beauty should be.
It’s all about keeping things in moderation and balanced because if you think about it. You can’t operate a car by putting in too much gas in the car or less.
Regarding your humanitarian work, can we touch on what made you decide to start The Bulamu Community Foundation and what made you want to set up in Uganda?
Isabelle Fries: I decided to start Bulamu after working with the GLI (Global Living Institute) in Uganda for a few years. What prompted me to create a foundation was the community itself. The community and villages in Kable and Lake Bunyonyi are remarkable, and the most important thing is that they do not need "saving". Much of the narrative around activism in Africa comes from the white saviours' concept, which was the exact thing I wanted to steer away from. This foundation is dedicated to those making that direct change on their own and in their community. It gives them the support and platform to create sustainable change independently. There are no better people to uplift or enact sustainable change in a community than those who live there.
How do you want to make yourself better?
I have always firmly believed in doing what is suitable for your body. Being in the industry showed me that. It’s a big reason I do things my way and am happy with it. Regarding my food, I don’t count calories or constantly put myself on the scale. I don’t think that bodes well for anyone since it causes too much anxiety and expectations about what beauty should be.
People need to be listened to and heard before any change can happen. We want to impact if we do not listen to the people in the communities and places. Otherwise, there will be no genuine impact made.
Do you have any tips for those who want to do humanitarian work?
Isabelle Fries: If someone is interested in humanitarian work, I would say think before you act and, most importantly, listen before all else. Your help and your work are always needed, but you always have to make sure you listen to those around you before you begin your job. If we don't listen and think together, that work could be harmful. So listen to those around you, soak up all the information you can from all different sides, and think strategically, giving everyone a seat at the table to make an impact together.
Lastly, I know you have touched many lives in many different ways. What do you want to tell your fans and those who see you as inspiring?
Isabelle Fries: Thank you for seeing my vision and believing in it! I hope they take away whatever they need from my music and that it inspires them uniquely
For more information on Isabelle visit her website isabellefries.com.
