Welcoming to the scene: Isa Obscura!

Established and based in Orlando, Isa Obscura recently had their first live performance at the UCF Arboretum show on October 23rd for the Halloween Arboretum Unplugged event. 

Although they have already released their EP, “Devotion”, none of the members in the band had actually performed live before. However, you wouldn’t have guessed based on how their performance went! 

The band was met with cheers, audience praise, and being recorded by those who have never heard of them before. The sound of their music was sweet, delicate, and enchanting. 

Justin Rollins, the keys player and producer of the band, shared his thoughts with us on how it feels to be in the new light of exposure:

“We’re very new to the scene, but we’ve felt so welcomed and supported. For our debut show, we were so unsure of ourselves, but afterwards we were met with total reassurance, which I feel is emblematic of the scene in general. We’re really happy to have a place here.”

The warmth and acceptance of the Orlando music scene continues to wrap itself around newer and upcoming bands who are looking for a place to start. It almost makes one wonder, what drives a new band to get out there?

[Question]: As a newer band, what is your motivation behind your music?

[Justin]: “I think there’s two answers to this question. First, we’re truly each other’s biggest supporters, and we’re always trying to highlight, develop, and nurture each other’s ideas. We really believe in one another’s work, and want to help share it with the world. Second, we’re looking for a way out of the prescribed way to live. A life apart from what’s been set in front of us. One day we hope to be able to support ourselves through our art.”

The societal network of working in a dimly lit room, or answering phone calls for strangers all day, is not the ideal. For Isa Obscura, they want their artwork and musical expression to represent who they are, and support them in the lives they wish to live. Just like many of us, they wish to be free from the pressure of norms and simply live to be happy. 

A location that they wish to perform in is West Palm Beach, Florida. This specific area is close to their hearts since it is where they all grew up and formed their friendships. 

-Victoria Papagikos