Michael Isaak Talks About Egyptian-American Representation And Debut EP ‘Forever is a Scary Word’

This music artist is absolutely incredible!

From ‘okay with this’ to ‘hey boy’, Michael Isaak has managed to keep one-upping himself with his amazing music and he’s not stopping anytime soon. In fact, he just released his debut EP titled ‘Forever Ia A Scary Word’. And spoiler alert: It’s a bop!

We had the amazing honor of speaking with Michael about performing live, his New Year’s resolutions, and more!

When did you first realize that you wanted to pursue a career in music?

M: “Becoming a musician was never a conscious decision in my life. My attraction to music has been a constant presence for as long as I can recall. At the age of 9, I taught myself to play the piano by ear, and in my teens, I expanded my skills to include the ukulele, guitar, and electronic music production. I earned my first production credit at the age of 15, and by 18, I began crafting my own songs.

Despite accumulating these musical experiences, I never considered a career in music feasible. Instead, I aimed for the opportunity to attend Princeton University, where I pursued a path in neuroscience with aspirations of becoming a doctor. However, after a year, I found my creativity stifled by the competitive and academically rigorous environment. This realization led me to take a leave of absence, return to LA, and finally pursue a career in music.”

Tell us more about your amazing EP ‘Forever is a Scary Word’.

M: ‘Forever is a Scary Word,’ my debut EP, has been my passion project of almost two years. It’s a sincere exploration of boyhood, coming-of-age, and my experience as a first-gen Egyptian-American. All six songs are truly meaningful to me and tell a very personal and heartfelt journey. You have a protagonist standing on the edge of his adulthood, thrilled yet fearful of the future, and pondering the rest of his life–his forever.

Musically, I took inspiration from both indie pop and folk, as well as my heritage, drawing from classical Arabic music and learning to play the oud. The Arabic instrumentation on “plane thoughts” was probably my favorite part of the project, and I feel like my identity as an artist really shines through.”

If you had to choose, what is your favorite song from the EP and why?

M: “I’d have to say “okay with this.” It is one of the most important songs I’ve written and one that was crucial to my development as a songwriter. Lyrically, I love how the song paints a really strong picture, and every time I sing it live, I just get lost in the emotion of it all. I’ve also really loved how so many people have resonated with this song even before its release.”

How would you personally describe your songwriting process?

M: “When it comes to songwriting, I don’t really stick to a fixed routine. Throughout the day, I take breaks to jot down thoughts, and later on, I gather all my notes and try to create a story with them like pieces of a puzzle. I usually rely on the guitar as my musical starting point, just playing around with chord progressions and fingerstyle patterns until I stumble upon something that clicks. Sometimes a whole song pops out from that, and other times, I’m on a mission to find a vibe that matches what I have in mind. And then there are those times when I’m completely zoned out, and suddenly, there’s a fully-formed song right there in front of me; those moments are just priceless.”

What do you love the most about performing live?

M: “There’s one bit I do in my live set during my song “north star” (track 5 on my EP). I teach the audience the refrain and have them sing it with me. To have at least 50 voices in front of you echoing your own lyrics is so surreal. That’s definitely my favorite part of playing live.”

How important do you think Egyptian-American representation is in entertainment?

M: “Growing up, there weren’t many Arab or Middle Eastern people in the entertainment scene for me to look up to. It felt like a missing piece not having role models who shared my cultural background. That’s why Egyptian-American representation–and representation of all cultures–is so vital. It’s about more than just seeing faces that resemble ours; it’s a boost of confidence, a message that our dreams are totally doable. It also gives audiences the chance to absorb so many diverse stories, fosters understanding, and makes the entertainment world a welcoming space for everyone.”

What are your New Year resolutions for 2024?

M: “In 2024 I’ll be getting in gear to return to college, play some of my biggest shows yet, and start working on a full-length album. I always want to remind myself that it’s okay to step outside my comfort zone and seek out new adventures. I also want to write more, take out more time everyday to journal, and record my self-growth throughout the year.”

Where can we follow your amazing journey?

M: “You can follow me on Instagram, TikTok, and Spotify. You can also subscribe to my newsletter
via my Official Website.”

Make sure to stream ‘Forever is a Scary Word’, available now on all music platforms!

Je’Kayla Crawford– Founder and Director– Je’Kayla has been a journalist for years and decided to start a publication of her own, New Scene. When not helping her team and working on the monthly issues, you can find her watching a movie on Netflix or baking using a viral Tasty recipe.