by Haley Cullingham
Given the term ‘indie’ has evolved from a way to describe those artists who escape description; who operate under the radar to create new, exciting art free of the mainstream music business, into a catch-all phrase for a skinny-pant-wearing bescarfed musical genre (a physical description which now applies as much to the Jonas Brothers as any underground rock band), Cravefest is not only an awesome party, it’s a good reminder of what Indie is supposed to mean. Hip hop, electro, and rock artists from all over the world submit videos on the internet at cravefest.com, and a board of judges, including Alan Cross from 102.1 The Edge, pick the winners. It’s the people taking back the music, showcasing how the internet has changed the face of the music industry, and put the power back where it belongs. SheDoesTheCity sat down with the fantastico Isis, MC of Toronto electro-rock duo Thunderheist and presenter for the evening, to talk about the independent revolution.

“Independent artists are reclaiming their music!” declares Isis, clutching her vodka-water and spouting energetic opinions on the state of the industry today. And when she speaks, we listen. “Major labels are dinosaurs…myspace alone changed the face of music.” Given Thunderheist was basically born over the intertubes, with Isis and bandmate Grahmzilla swapping files and collaborating electronically, no one understands more than she the liberating power of the web for independent artists. Connection breeds creativity, and takes the dollars out of the distribution equation: as much of Thunderheist’s extensive fan base was culled from Myspace visits as live shows. Beneath her afro-cum-mohawk Isis is all grins and sarcasm, her personal energy matching that of her on-stage presence, which, as anyone who has seen her performing with Grahmzilla in the sweaty, darkened dance parlours of our fair city knows, is electrifying. Isis prefers performing in small venues. “A nice hole-in-the-wall is always good…it’s more intimate,” and says the best Thunderheist performance so far was in “Gutenberg, in Sweden. People were wearing crazy costumes and all fucked up on just alcohol, and that NEVER happens.”

Thunderheist has achieved international hype, but to Isis, working in Canada is a freeing experience. She cites Factor grants (“you get a lot of money to do nothing.”) and free health care amongst the Canadian perks, but also the ability to succeed and “not have a major label controlling you.” Working in a duo, however, (“there’s only two of us. I mean, we’re not Broken Social Scene up there.”) has a different set of rules: “I can’t always get what I want…which is really fucked!” she laughs. Isis and Grahmzilla are on the eve of releasing an album, but their live-performance schedule remains as busy as ever. On a night celebrating musicians who aren’t afraid to defy convention, Isis is an independent icon in every sense of the word-independent of the shackles of the industry, and a true independent spirit, categorically unafraid to be exactly who she is, and say exactly what she wants.

www.myspace.com/thunderheist