Album Notes

Armed with powerful, crystal clear vocals coupled with funky, percussive guitar riffs, Isul Kim is bringing more than just a new Korean-American face to the music scene. Her definitively unique style brings a compelling twist to the “chick with the guitar” genre, as she creates her own brand of bluesy urban pop/rock with an edge.

Born and bred in New York City, Isul writes songs that tell provocative stories through colorful & manic alteregos who stay up all night agonizing over exboyfriends or dream fanatically of celebrity lifestyles. At once alarming and amusing, Isul’s songs amplify her urban experiences and dip them in a healthy dose of wit and satire. Isul’s musical stylings aim to move you – literally. She makes you nod your head, shake your booty, and feel the funk. Isul’s guitar chops are the rough love-child of Ani DiFranco and G.Love and her voice lies somewhere between Gwen Stefani, Sheryl Crow and Sarah McLachlan. And when the mood is right, Isul's sultry ballads channel the sounds of Fiona Apple and Ben Harper.

Isul’s love affair with music is influenced by blues, hip-hop, jazz, rock and pop and colored by an ecclectic mix of musical experiences. After 12 years of classical piano and choirs, Isul stole her brother’s guitar at age 15 and wrote songs as birthday gifts. In high school, she left her folk roots, danced to hip-hop and swing, went to ska & punk shows, and ran with the underground youth literati. In college she fronted an alternative rock band, where she learned to "rock with the boys". Rolling up all of these encounters, Isul has come into her own as a songstress who makes you a little more streetwise and brings you closer to the groove.

Isul has begun turning heads around the Bay Area as she delivers a big sound and a dynamic performace on stage, whether playing solo with her trusty Everly Brothers Gibson acoustic or with a dynamic 3-piece band. Seducing you in an intimate café or rocking out in a club -- Isul is sure to provoke and entertain.

Her new self-titled EP, with 6 original songs, demonstrates her versatility in delivering blues, jazz, rock and pop. Working with producer Joe Morishige of Uber Records, along with drummer/percussionist Zach Michels (corpus callosum) and keyboardist Dan Zemelman (John Lee Hooker, Plum Crazy), the new Isul Kim EP puts forth the best in capturing a polished yet organic live sound that's hard to find in pop music today. If you're in the mood to punk it out, give a listen to "Cigarettes and Heartbreak". If you're feelin' a little funky listen to "Sunshine After Hurricane". If you wanna tap your feet, "This Fever" is for you. And if you want to cuddle up with your honey over some wine, "In Blue" is the Norah Jones-esque jazzy ballad that will put you in the mood.

A little bit of Isul for everyone.