Glasgow-based producer, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist Isa blends ethereal electronics with raw, expressive performance. Her debut album For You Only (Optimo Music, 2022) established her as a distinctive voice, drawing from club music, folk, punk, and experimental sound design. Raised in rural Ayrshire, where Scots is widely spoken, traditional folk songs shaped her lyricism and storytelling. Whether writing, collaborating, or performing live, Isa’s work is marked by emotional clarity, textural depth, and fearless play, combining folk-rooted songwriting with electronic innovation in a sound that is unmistakably her own. Her latest record 8Men, a bold reimagining of the folk compilation as something living, volatile and future-facing.

I’ve been playing a bunch of gigs and support shows around Scotland following the release of my record 8Men on Lost Map Records, a compilation of folk covers.

Alongside that, I’ve recently taken on a part-time role as a lab technician at Glasgow Uni, dusting off the old noggin from my degree after a few years on the precarious freelance music circuit. It’s been good to stretch into something new, though my cogs are a lil’ rusty.

Outside of that I’ve been learning tunes, singing in a choir, playing guitar, and making music with Tony Morris. I’ve also been having a great time with my new band PENKNIFE – writing and rehearsing; it’s been fantastic to play in a group with two pals. I’ve been on a solo tip for a few years, so it’s amazing to show up to practice with just a pen and a mic rather than a whole slew of gear.

The mix was recorded on Rekordbox and Ableton in my bedroom.

I’ve a wee run of gigs coming up across Scotland, the UK and a bit further afield, including some support slots, festivals, and a few club nights. I’ll be supporting Doss on their Hame Time Tour around Scotland – getting to play the Outer Hebrides and other far-flung places.

There’s also Berghain in Berlin wae Tony Morris…

Alongside that I’ll be spending more time working and getting into a rhythm with PENKNIFE, writing and playing together. Mostly just looking forward to being out, playing, and spending some time back in Scotland over the summer, keeping learning auld tunes and singing in the choir.

1. Reels: Unknown No.57 – Mick O’Brien & Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh
2. I Wish, I Wish – Isa Gordon
3. Robbie Tampson’s Smiddie – Norman&Corrie
4. O’SALLEEE – Proc Fiskal
5. MWI Sailor – George Smith & Isa Gordon
6. Tha Fonn Gun Bhi Trom (I Am Disposed of Mirth) – Brìghde Chaimbeul
7. úna bhán (ft. Lorcán Mac Mathúna) – Ian Nyquist
8. FUSE – Hudson Mohawke
9. Dárbbuo – Katarina Barruk & Bicep
10. PW2 – Mel Keane
11. A Coin In The Bush – Isa Gordon
12. The Fermoy Lasses – Cormac Begley
13. The Monaghan Jig – Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin
14. Tralee Gaol – John Francis Flynn
15. Shputnik in Glenshiel – Martyn Bennet
16. Ice Tunnels – Rustic
17. Aldebaran – Enya
18. Boards of Canada – Kainin Industries
19. The Pride of Petrivore – Lankum
20. Oidhche na’ mo chadal dhomh – Mother’s Favourite Tongue