21-year-old indie pop artist Isabel Dumaa discusses her liberating new anthem “C’est La Vie,” her ongoing journey of self-discovery through music, and picking apart life through vulnerable, high-energy pop songs.
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Stream: “C’est La Vie” – Isabel Dumaa
So many of us feel overburdened and in a rut at times, but the important thing is that you’re always growing and learning.
Singer/songwriter Isabel Dumaa is hard at work on herself, just like the rest of us.
The only difference is, she’s sharing the intimate details of that process through her songs. “Quarter Life Crisis,” the 21-year-old’s breakout single (released last year), found the California native candidly reflecting on her ascent into young adulthood and the anxiety it caused: “Losing my grip but can’t let go, so I say yes when I mean no. Foot on the gas, I lost control,” she sings, her voice hot on the mic – a vessel of passion and vulnerability and passion. To date, “Quarter Life Crisis” has massed 1.8 million streams on Spotify alone, making it a powerful entrance for the young artist – and one that set the tone for what was to come.
Dumaa’s follow-up single, “Always Leaving You,” found her confessing to so-called issues she knew she still had: “I can’t give back what you put in. I know you hate that, and I hate it too,” she admits. “I’m a problem even I can’t fix; sorry you fell for a flight risk.“
Dumaa’s greatest hope is that sharing her own stories helps others feel they aren’t alone. “I always want to be honest with my lyrics, and touch on aspects of human nature that aren’t as relevant song topics,” she tells Atwood Magazine. “I always find it refreshing when I hear a new song that resonates with a personal experience I thought was unique to me.”
Her latest single continues her streak of high-energy candid confessionals: A spirited, seductive song working through imperfection and failure, “C’est La Vie” is yet another strikingly mature indie pop anthem of introspection and acceptance.
I gave my all just to never get it back
I broke the fall but I slipped
right through the cracks again
Now I’m spiraling
Apologize and apologize
some more like
All that I am is just
something to be sorry for
What am I sorry for?
The golden kid with big bright dreams
But the rust grew thick and it buried me, I’m –
Covering holes with sticks and leaves
Praying the ground doesn’t break right under me
Independently released August 16, “C’est La Vie” is the lead single off Isabel Dumaa’s upcoming debut EP Just My Nature, and can in many ways be seen as a sequel to “Quarter Life Crisis.”
“It’s a really honest song of self-reflection, the good and the bad,” Dumaa shares. “Almost a dump of all the parts I don’t love about myself and am working on, but also finding acceptance and self-love in that.” To that end, the chorus serves as a climax to the artist’s innermost reckonings as she picks through the lows, trying to make sense of life’s tumult and friction.
‘Cause I give my best but theirs is better
So I hold my breath and call it pleasure
I take a step then go back three
So cyclical, oh c’est la vie
I’m burning out but I blame the weather
I’ll paint those bricks to look like feathers
I take a step then hit delete
So cyclical, oh c’est la vie
“I wanted the chorus to have somewhat of a cathartic element,” she says. “It’s so discouraging to say ‘I give my best but theirs is better,’ but then being able to come to the conclusion of finding peace in accepting things you can’t control, in other words, ‘c’est la vie.’ It’s coming to terms and realizing it’s all part of the journey. I’ve been here before, I’ll be here again; the most important thing is that I’m strong enough to get through it, and I will.”
Atwood Magazine recently caught up with Isabel Dumaa to talk about her new single and burgeoning artistry. Dive into the depths of “C’est La Vie” below, and stream this spirited, achingly emotive indie pop fever dream, out now on all platforms.
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:: stream/purchase C’est La Vie here ::
:: connect with Isabel Dumaa here ::
Stream: “C’est La Vie” – Isabel Dumaa
A CONVERSATION WITH ISABEL DUMAA
Atwood Magazine: Great to chat, Isabel! For readers who are new to your music, how would you describe yourself to a first timer?
Isabel Dumaa: So excited to get to chat with y’all! It’s always a little hard to be self-objective, but honest, lyrical music that is pop leaning but has elements of folk, rock and indie.
How did you get started writing songs, and what is your relationship like with the songwriting process?
Isabel Dumaa: I started writing songs when I was 10 years old. Growing up I was, and still am, a Swiftie and thought “If Taylor writes her own songs, I have to write my own songs too,” and that was kinda the beginning of it all. Writing has become a huge part of my life not only because it’s my job, but also just as a creative and emotional outlet. I’m constantly writing, whether consciously or unconsciously; inspiration can hit when you least expect it.
I do want to chat about “Quarter Life Crisis” first, if you don’t mind. It really blew up over the past year; to what do you attribute that song’s popularity?
Isabel Dumaa: I think the overall concept of a ‘quarter life crisis’ is a pretty universal experience, even though it can feel so isolating. I had some version of one a bit earlier than most because I skipped college and moved straight to LA after high school, and was therefore entering the “real world” at 18 instead of 22. I think that’s when most people experience their quarter life crisis. It’s the time when you’re supposed to be an adult and start the rest of your life, but sometimes just want to run away and disappear for a moment. That feeling of standing and looking at the rest of your life, either being terrified, or feeling completely lost because you can’t go back to how it was, but unsure of what’s ahead of you. For me though, “Quarter Life Crisis” was a really personal song about a very specific time in my life, so it was so special to see people resonate with it.
Staying up ’til 6 am
Losing sleep so I don’t lose friends
Swear it’s the last time
Or else I’ll lose my mind
Another weekend, outta my hands
Another party i can’t stand
Feeling half alive
Don’t mean to kill the vibe
Losing my grip but can’t let go
So i say yes when i mean no
Foot on the gas I lost control
The story of this record is really one of self-growth, and just a culmination of my life over the past two years.
You’re now releasing your debut EP, Just My Nature. What’s the story behind this record, and what was the process like making it?
Isabel Dumaa: Most of this record came to be over the past two years of really trying to find myself as an artist. In truth, it’s been a multi-year journey for some of these songs, and I’ve grown up a lot, both in life and in songwriting. The story of this record is really one of self-growth, and just a culmination of my life over the past two years. I touch on homesickness, burnout, heartbreak, family, overwhelming emotions and more. This was an emotional project to create; I feel so grateful for everyone who was by my side, helping bring it to life.
This brings us to “C'est La Vie,” your EP’s lead single! Why open with this song? How does it capture the spirit of the record?
Isabel Dumaa: I like to think of “C’est La Vie” as a sequel to “Quarter Life Crisis.” It’s a really honest song of self-reflection, the good and the bad. Almost a dump of all the parts I don’t love about myself and am working on, but also finding acceptance and self-love in that. I also think “C’est La Vie” bridges what I’ve already released and what’s on the EP, both sonically and emotionally.
You start the song, singing, “I gave my all just to never get it back. I broke the fall but I slipped right through the cracks again, now I’m spiraling.” What’s the scene you’re setting?
Isabel Dumaa: I wanted “C’est La Vie” to feel almost like a page out of my diary, so I really just want to bring the listener in with me. I’m a person who gives a lot of myself to people, sometimes to the point where I don’t leave enough for myself, and this whole song is essentially me just laying all that out on the table.
Your rise to this passionate, if not exasperated chorus where you lament, “…so cyclical, c’est la vie.” What does this refrain mean to you? What are you feeling as you sing those words?
Isabel Dumaa: I wanted the chorus to have somewhat of a cathartic element. It’s so discouraging to say “I give my best but theirs is better,” but then being able to come to the conclusion of finding peace in accepting things you can’t control, in other words, ‘c’est la vie.’ It’s coming to terms and realizing it’s all part of the journey. I’ve been here before, I’ll be here again; the most important thing is that I’m strong enough to get through it, and I will.
I’ve been here before, I’ll be here again; the most important thing is that I’m strong enough to get through it, and I will.
Do you have any personal favorite lyrics or lines from this track?
Isabel Dumaa: Don’t know if this is my favorite, but “apologize and apologize some more. Like all I am is just something to be sorry for. What am I sorry for?” I am a chronic apologizer, to the point where I find myself saying sorry for things I’m not even involved in. I think part of that is just being a woman, and just having it ingrained to cater and accommodate others, while also just wanting to always make peace. But it’s a really bad habit and I think I threw this line in almost to keep myself honest about trying to break that habit, haha.
I paint a smile but I always paint it blue
I bite my tongue just the way
that I was taught to do
And I’ll just blame my youth
But I can’t stop
Giving my heart away to those who don’t deserve it
I made a mess of things but promise that I’m learning
Losing my head over getting back time
I ran so far ahead that now I’m falling behind
I really love the edge you brought to this song. What was your vision for it?
Isabel Dumaa: I wanted this song to be one you could listen to driving on the freeway with the windows down. The lyrics when you break them down aren’t the happiest, but it’s not a sad song. I wanted it to have a little angst and almost anger, while still having a liberating, lighthearted feel.
This is not just the first song off Just My Nature, but it’s also your very own reintroduction, essentially, following last year’s songs. How do you hope “C'est La Vie” further establishes who you are, and what you’re building?
Isabel Dumaa: “C’est La Vie” is the beginning of this new chapter. I always want to be honest with my lyrics, and touch on aspects of human nature that aren’t as relevant song topics. I hope my record builds on what these two songs have already established. I always find it refreshing when I hear a new song that resonates with a personal experience I thought was unique to me. It can be so validating to hear another artist encapsulate my own experiences, so I hope to create that same connection for others through my own music.
Cause I give my best but theirs is better
So I hold my breath and call it pleasure I –
Take a step then go back three
So cyclical, oh c’est la vie
I’m burning out but I blame the weather
I’ll paint those bricks to look like feathers
I take a step then hit delete
So cyclical, oh c’est la vie
Likewise, what do you hope listeners take away from this song, and what have you taken away from writing it and now putting it out?
Isabel Dumaa: Well for one, that they aren’t alone. So many of us feel overburdened and in a rut at times, but the important thing is that you’re always growing and learning. That’s what I’ve come to understand in my long 21 years on this planet.
In the spirit of teasing listeners, what else can we look forward to off the EP? Anything we can share to start getting folks excited about the first Isabel Dumaa record?
Isabel Dumaa: Some variance in sound. While “C’est La Vie” and “Quarter Life Crisis” are the only songs out that are on the EP, the record has some slower, more acoustic moments. I’m excited for fans to see a new side of my songwriting.
Lastly, in the spirit of paying it forward, who are you listening to these days that you would recommend to our readers?
Isabel Dumaa: Ahh so many! I loved the new Gracie Abrams, Clairo, and Role Model records! Ryan Beatty and Laufey are always heavily in my rotation, two of my all time favorites. I also love what Maggie Antone and Willow Avalon are doing in the country space; they are amazing and killing it!
Cause I give my best but theirs is better
So I hold my breath and call it pleasure I-
Take a step then go back three
So cyclical, oh c’est la vie
I’m burning out but I blame the weather
I’ll paint those bricks to look like feathers
I take a step then hit delete
So cyclical, oh c’est la vie
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:: stream/purchase C’est La Vie here ::
:: connect with Isabel Dumaa here ::
Stream: “C’est La Vie” – Isabel Dumaa
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