Meet Isla Ola, German duo from Dortmund
On March 7th they will perform in Barcelona as part of Other Voices Night at Slow, and it’s the right moment to take a closer look at who Isla Ola are.
The German duo, formed by Stefan and Jesmari, started in Dortmund almost by accident. After a failed attempt to form a band with friends, they decided to work together when they realized they shared musical references and a similar way of understanding music. Over time, that early idea developed into what is now Isla Ola.
A Direct Relationship with Music
In an interview with the German media outlet Schwarzes Bayern, they explained that what truly connects them is everything surrounding music: what they listen to, what they create, the concerts they play, and the shows they attend as part of the audience.
Their early musical memories help explain their foundation. Stefan grew up listening to tapes of Tangerine Dream and Pink Floyd passed down by his father. Jesmari discovered Placebo through her sister and felt connected from the very first moment. That mix of electronics, sensitivity, and a certain melancholy runs through their current work.
How They Describe Their Own Sound
In the same interview, they described their music as dreamlike and narrative. Lost and cold. Dark and sad, but also strong and hopeful. Rather than focusing on genres, they talk about emotional states.
Their creative process does not follow a strict formula either. Sometimes a song starts with a minimal idea and develops almost on its own. When they try to force things, it doesn’t work; when they rehearse without expectations, the best ideas appear.
A clear example is “Wo bist du hin?”, one of their most notable releases, which emerged spontaneously and became a key piece in their repertoire.
Live Performance as a Visual Experience
Another aspect they emphasize is the importance of the visual component. Their live shows feature blue lighting and heavy fog. They are barely visible on stage, and the audience is immersed in that atmosphere. For them, this is not just an aesthetic choice, but a way to allow the audience to focus on the sound without distractions.
European Mini Tour 2026
The Barcelona date is part of a European mini tour that will take them across several cities in the coming months:
07.03 · Barcelona
12.03 · Dortmund
14.03 · Gotha (Fundament)
04.04 · Waveteef
11.04 · Istanbul (Paribu Art)
05.05 · Augsburg (Kantine)
06.05 · Karlsruhe (Stadtmitte)
07.05 · Wiesbaden (Schlachthof)
08.05 · Köln (Die Kantine)
09.05 · Hamburg (Markthalle)
19.06 · Abtenau (Austria)
19.09 · Luzern (Switzerland)
Their goal is clear: play more shows, travel more, write new songs, and move toward a second album.
In Barcelona, we will see them as part of Other Voices Night, and it will be interesting to see how they translate that intensity and visual approach to the stage at Slow.
Isla Ola at Other Voices Night
Isla Ola will perform at the upcoming Other Voices Night alongside Self Secrets and My Own Burial. They fit the direction we aim for with this event: projects with a clear identity, strong live presence, and a proposal that goes beyond simply getting on stage and playing.
Their approach to sound and visual elements aligns with the idea of creating a complete live experience. March 7th at Slow will not be just another tour date; it will be an opportunity to see how their universe connects with the Barcelona audience.
