Penelope Isles

Name, where are you from?
Lily Wolter, Isle of Man (living in Brighton).

Describe your style in three words?
Playful, indefinite, loose.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
There are too many special moments to only pick one live show, but a real highlight in life was discovering White Denim at End Of The Road a few years ago. All our friends were feeling the weight of a three-day bender, and we thought we would venture over to the Garden Stage on the warm Sunday eve. Our minds were totally blown away by this band. It was a combination of so much great music we love. Brought us right back up for our last night all together, in paradise… Oh, the riffs!

If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
The Thrills. An all-time favourite and a huge inspiration for us musically. They are no longer together anymore so this mythological opportunity would be epic.
Steely Dan. Just for the sake of being able to watch the band with an alive and well, Walter Becker. They have made some of our favourite songs ever. Many a sing-along on tour.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
DIY, surf, punk, garage rock. In particular, the lo-fi bedroom records have held special places in our hearts. I watched ‘The Devil & Daniel Johnston’ when I was just starting to make my own songs. That whole approach to making music still inspires me.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
My Papa (Dad’s Dad). He died when I was a kid and I often think how interesting it would be to talk to him about his WW2 stories as a German soldier. He was on the Russian front-line and had to eat grass!! Can you imagine? Plus my family talk about him with such love and kindness. I think I would like to spend that hour going fishing with him, his fave sport. RIP xx

Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
I loved KOKO. Been to some rowdy, fun shows in that beautiful little theatre. Lost shoes, broken ribs etc! Never got to play there though. House of Blues in New Orleans was an honour to play. History written all over the walls.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
I have many talented pals whose music has inspired me more than any big artists whilst growing up. If I’m only to pick only one, it’s gotta be Allister Kellaway. I met Ally when I was 14 when I went to stay with my Brother at Falmouth Uni…wild times! Ally’s project is called The Mantis Opera, (now a London based band), and at the time he was making his music on tapes, Danny Johnston style. The tracks were these beautiful little melodies and weird chords and old drum machines that I had never heard before. Complex and innovative, but simple enough to translate into my young teenage brain and inspire me to write something with a little more taste I guess. It was my first introduction to lo-fi and gave me a push into the right direction to make demos in my room. Since then, The Mantis Opera’s sound has become way more of an epic journey and a joy to watch blossom! What can I say… the man’s a genius.

-

Penelope Isles recently confirmed some Uk tour dates for March/April 2021 followed by a slot at Primavera Sound in June 2021. Visit www.penelopeisles.com for more details.