Through landscapes of shimmering open tunings, Isabel Shaye weaves sweeping melodies and intricate guitar work. Echoing the spirit of artists like Nick Drake and Joni Mitchell, her music draws from folk traditions while venturing into territories of her own imagining. Her meticulously crafted guitar-vocal duets spin emotional webs, delving into the parts of ourselves and our relationships that remain just beyond our grasp.

Isabel’s debut album, The Giant Squid, was released in October 2025. Written between 2018-2020 and finally recorded in 2024, the album uses the ocean’s most enigmatic creature as a guide for exploring the mystery and power of the human mind.

This past year, Isabel was selected as a 2025 New Folk Finalist in the Kerrville New Folk Songwriting Competition. In addition to her songwriting, Isabel is also a metalsmith and clarinetist. She is currently based in Brooklyn, NY.