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ISIS DAMIL: READY FOR HER CLOSE UP..
Vocalist ISIS DAMIL, assumes the position shes been groomed for her whole life.. her own, Artist..
I had heard of ISIS DAMIL, some years back around Jazz circles in Detroit. Largely in conjunction with her father, Jazz Musician and artist Zion Yisreal. But as with most musical families, the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree. Vocalist ISIS DAMIL, eventually picked up her family business and birthright, and is on her own mecca into music. Her father ( A well known Jazz Artist in his own right) Began shaping the vocalist in the ways of the Jazz Jedi at a very young age. Often bringing her to various gigs where as a kid she began to soak up the atmosphere… “I just wanted to come see my Dad play. And hopefully, he’d let me sing.” Thats when she realized who, her Dad was and his stature.. According to the vocalist, “I got my start sharing the stage with my parents, Mecca La’Than and Zion Yisrael, who are phenomenal musicians and mentors to me”… On her initial beginnings as a vocalist. “I’ve been in music since I was born by default to my parents. I started to take it seriously around 2013. I found myself constantly in musical situations that I put myself in. I soon realized that music is something I wanted to pursue professionally. Simply because I enjoy making music, and impacting people in ways that heal them and make them feel whole.” ISIS soon found herself gigging around town with her father and eventually landing a standing
performance spot at the legendary Detroit Jazz Club, Bakers Keyboard Lounge.. “I had a 6 year standing gig at Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, I’ve performed at most of the Jazz Venues in Detroit, I sang background for Gospel sensation J Moss, I have an album and an EP out, I’ve opened for Brian McKnight, even did a virtual performance for a Joe Biden event”. ISIS, who hails from Detroit, home of the Queen of Soul herself, Aretha Franklin.. A.k.a. “Motown” Made the transition to full fledged artist in her own right, with the 2016 release of her single “I Love You” a Jazzy infused Midtempo Swinger, that demonstrates and displays her Jazz chops along with her range. It was her first step toward finding her own voice and vibe..and foreshadowed the release of the EP “Civil Love” in 2017 that included “I Love You” and gave way to a more progressive Organic Neo Soul sound reminiscent of Erykah Badu ( An ISIS favorite), Zhane & Ledisi, As well a grounded mature sound that invokes Jill Scott vibes, while also incorporating the more Modern R&B sound of Faith Evans and Mary J. Blige. ISIS was looking, searching, seeking and finding.. Her lane.. As she continued gigging around Detroit, she began to step from the shadows of her Fathers legend, and into her own light as her own artist Her sound is a Blend of genres , yet no genre is more prevalent than her Jazz roots. It’s the base of what she is as an artist and a songwriter. Which lends a seasoned authenticity to what her sound began and is evolving too. With the release of her latest single 2021’s “Cry 4 Me” (feat. World Famous Matix) and leading up to her forthcoming project called “Saturday Nights, Sunday Mornings”, ISIS gives us a Soul Clapper that glides it’s listeners with a familiarity that embraces and engulfs. Utilizing Hip Hop flavors along with her other influences in the single, We get a Soulful Bounce track that the Hustle/ Ballroomers would salivate over. While maintaining a Groove that satisfies the Indie Soul Heads..
Much like other seminal Soul Vocalists, ISIS had to walk an even slimmer tightrope around the House, Due to the Patriarch, Who in addition to being a renowned musician, he was also a Preacher man, which made ISIS, not only a budding vocalist in training, but the proverbial “Preacher’s Kid” a.k.a. “PK”. . like some of our most storied artists like Marvin, Al Green, Aretha and more who were also reared in the church. “It’s something that I struggled with for a long time.. That not only is my Dad a World Renowned Jazz Musician but he was a Preacher as well. It was kinda tough to be under that microscope. When I actually was not doing anything outta line, just doing the normal things girls my age would do But people expected me to be a certain way. People at School were always like OMG “PK” what are you doing? It was expected of me to be extra good..” Says the vocalist who is an in demand performer in and around Detroit and also attended U of D Mercy, on her upbringing and it’s obvious conflicts and added challenges to go with being Yisreals Baby girl..the singer but also the Preachers daughter.. “He was just Dad.. It wasn’t until I got older to realize that both my parents were a Big Deal…I obviously still love God and work on that relationship daily. But I also like to go out on Saturdays, but will also be in the pews come Sunday Morning” Much like her Father and Mother, She was ordained to do this. When you are being schooled by a Master, and at the same time tasked with living up to his name. With such a hands on pedigree, an artist can be put at a disadvantage out the gate. But it also can put you at a slight ad-vantage, when it comes to the game. You’ve lived it your whole life. So you step into the music game as a seasoned vet. She has a following who is grateful and faithful to the vocalist, as is she, of them. It’s the mutual respect that pushes her to make herself worthy of the admiration and even more grateful for the respect she receives. When asked how she dealt with returning to the stage after the Pandemic. She exudes Humility, She has even coined a term describing her intricate style.. “People Still thought me worthy enough to still want to see me even during the pandemic!! That’s Huge to me..I want to be viewed as a Glamour-soul artist who can easily mix R&B with Jazz, Gospel and Hip Hop. And what I mean by Glamour soul is having the glam of Beyonce but still having the sage and incense vibes of Erykah Badu. I think what people dig the most about me, is that they get to experience me get a little better day by day as they grow and get a little better too.” says the Vocalist who has been a staple on the Detroit music scene since her teens. Hard to believe, but very awesome to witness her growth into her own full artistry. Parents who are musicians and artists sometimes discourage their own offspring from entering into the fray.. But ISIS chooses to follow in the footsteps of her Dad when it comes to passing down the passion.. “Absolutely..I wouldn’t just be like, Oh you wanna sing? Well go on outside and sing and do all this on your own . That’s just not good Parenting!! Definitely whatever I can do, whatever resources I have to help them Of Course. But I would never tell them no. If They wanna pursue something they are passionate about . Let’s work on it!!” Without question, the family business and generational investment, will be passed down. Which will guarantee great music and artistry for generations to come. It’s great to see the foundation in what ISIS is doing comes from her obvious close relationship with parents and in particular her relationship with her father, Is a major catalyst and driving force in all she does as an artist and as an adult. She’s a Daddy’s Girl.. And his influence is strong and respected. Great Job Dad!! “He was my Dad – ager! Coming up, he was just Dad. He did Dad things.. On the Music side, It was kind of weird. I guess I never was in position to have to do business with a family member.. So that was my first experience with that. He always taught me an entrepreneur mindset. I’ve always known about contracts and setting up deals and how to network with people.. He taught me that at a young age. Other than just the music” And it has assisted her well in her own musical endeavors as her star and notice has begun to reach outside of the Jazz Circles she was reared in and travelled. On her Dad’s Influence she states..”He (Dad) still rides me till this day. But I thank him for that. I wouldn’t be who I am and where I am.. As I got older my values have changed and I like different genres, and have different goals. To be a full time artist is the goal. Long term is to make an impact on music. Be able to change things and make people see things in a more positive light.” In the Cookie Cutter mode that music often falls in. It’s hard to distinguish artists’ originality and sometimes WHO they are. Luckily ISIS has already identified and established her own ideas of how she wishes to be received.. “What I love about the industry is it’s diversity. It varies across race, gender, genre, culture, fashion, influence, topic and more. What I hate about the industry is that it is clique and network driven. The truth is more often than not, industry success is based on who you know rather than talent. I think what makes me stand out is the story that I’m willing to tell over Jazz influenced R&B beats. My story about embracing my sensual side while still loving my spiritual side.” Given her already established reputation and acumen. It would be a stern exercise in futility to put Ms. Damil in a “One Size FIts all “ box that permeates the industry when it comes to female vocalists.
She has been a constant performer in various Detroit community events as well as the Live Music Circuit in Detroit. After years of being the student, ISIS DAMIL has assumed her own place and is ready to put to practice the Lessons in the Blessings of being an understudy of Greatness. It’s time to step up and seek her own Ms. Damil is Ready for her Close up now.. Terry Martin – RnBInTheD
Website – https://www.isisdamil.com/
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