While most people are busy finding ways to avoid the scorching sun, one busker is doing the exact opposite.
Isobel Thatcher, 26, has embraced the heat to busk in the shade outside Centre Court Shopping Centre and is attracting a new audience for her pop-infused music.
Having played classical piano since the age of four, saxophone at nine, and later teaching herself the guitar, Isobel is multi-talented and with her father a big music enthusiast she has always been surrounded by, and supported in, her musical endeavours.
Growing up in Salisbury and having the desire to branch out, Isobel decided to study music at the British & Irish Modern Music Institute (BIMM) in London.
She later received a HND in vocal performance at Tech Music School, performing at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire in the school’s 2012 graduation, having won song of the year for her original tune I Won’t.
After her soothing acoustic performance of I Need a Dollar by Aloe Blacc, Isobel said: “My reason for busking is that it’s fun and allows different people who don’t go to gigs to hear my music.”
She regularly performs gigs around the UK and when asked about her preferences when it comes to performing, she said gigs had expectations on her to perform well, while busking gives her a sense of fulfilment.
When it comes to music, an icon she looks up to is singer-songwriter Joss Stone, while she admires Charlie Puth’s musical talent.
She also admires Emma Watson, describing her as a strong female figure.
As Isobel played classical piano in her younger years, but quit learning due to her interest in guitaring, her advice or those who want to get into the music business is to stick with it as she regretted her premature decision to quit the piano.
Isobel will be playing Pizza Express in Winchester on August 16.
Visit isobelthatchermusic.com.
