Ysabelle Cuevas, known mononymously as ysabelle, is not your typical artist. Based in Utah but with roots in Los Angeles, this singer-songwriter and arranger presents a fascinating duality. In social and performance settings, she’s a vibrant personality, full of wit and humor. Yet, in the business realm, she transforms into a quiet, thoughtful strategist, a skilled audio engineer and producer. This blend of charisma and technical expertise has propelled her to impressive heights. Over nine years, ysabelle has cultivated a massive YouTube presence, boasting 2.8 million subscribers and nearly half a billion views. Her niche? English translations and covers of K-pop hits, delivered with exceptional production quality and captivating performances. This deep dive into K-pop songcraft has provided her with an unparalleled education in music creation. Now, after a decade of learning from the best in pop music, ysabelle is stepping into the spotlight as an original artist, ready to make her own mark.
Her latest single, “Slow Dancing,” released on July 28, 2023, is a testament to this evolution. From the first note, ysabelle’s vocals take center stage. Her signature soulful quiver, instantly recognizable and utterly captivating, shines brightly. The track is built upon a foundation of swirling synths, understated acoustic guitar, and intricate pop percussion. Interestingly, despite its title, “Slow Dancing,” the song is anything but slow. It’s an energetic, infectious, and powerfully catchy tune. Ysabelle penned the track herself, collaborating with Utah producer Todd Tran and South African producer Connor Austin to fully realize her vision.
Ysabelle Cuevas in a denim jacket and jeans, sitting on a stool and holding a guitar, with a microphone stand in front of her
Photo by Ivan Martinez (@imyourlens).
Ysabelle explains the collaborative production process: “Connor created an initial arrangement for the song after I sent him a demo a year prior. When Connor visited, we refined the entire track together with Todd.” Once they had the core of the song, they entrusted it to Adam Turley, an indie pop artist, for mixing, and Fili Fillizola for mastering, ensuring a polished and professional final product.
This production journey was a breath of fresh air for ysabelle. “My background is rooted in YouTube acoustic pop,” she shares. “So, every aspect of the production process for ‘Slow Dancing’ felt new and exciting! I think the guitar pattern Connor developed really defines the song’s personality. And I absolutely love the retro-inspired kick drums.” She playfully mentions the lengthy 30-minute deliberation over selecting the perfect kick samples. “There’s also this synth sound we affectionately call the ‘Taylor Swift Synth’ because it reminded us of synths used in her 1989 album, evoking that nostalgic vibe.” This attention to detail in production elevates “Slow Dancing” beyond a simple pop song, crafting a rich and engaging sonic landscape perfect for, perhaps ironically, not just Slow Dancing To The Music but also energetic dancing.
One of the standout lyrical moments in “Slow Dancing” arrives at the end of the chorus: “Your hands are on my body, keep your eyes on me. Slow dancing with our two left feet.” This line immediately sparks a playful question: does ysabelle actually have two left feet when it comes to dancing? It seems improbable that someone capable of creating such a rhythmically compelling track would be clumsy on the dance floor.
“I wouldn’t say I’m terrible, but definitely not good,” ysabelle laughs. “At parties, I usually stick to singing – maybe some head bobbing and the occasional fist pump in the air.”
Ysabelle Cuevas standing in front of a microphone, wearing a patterned dress, with stage lighting behind her
Photo by Ivan Martinez (@imyourlens).
The poignant lyrics about “slow dancing with two left feet” are deeply personal, inspired by her mother’s relationship advice. “My mom often says that she and my dad often feel like they’re navigating life without a clue. They grow together, learning from mistakes along the way. The crucial element, she emphasizes, is their unwavering commitment to each other from the very beginning, no matter what challenges arise. This resonated with me and sparked the imagery of slow dancing with two left feet. It’s about realizing that love isn’t about flawless partners, but about two individuals who are committed to trying, even when they feel a bit clumsy or unsure.” This theme of imperfect but committed connection makes “Slow Dancing” relatable and emotionally resonant, going beyond just the surface level of a typical dance track. It speaks to the heart of human relationships, even when you’re just slow dancing to the music in life.
This honesty about feeling like she has “two left feet” contrasts with the overwhelming positive response her music has garnered. How does ysabelle reconcile these contrasting feelings? “It can be really confusing sometimes. That feeling of inadequacy, of having two left feet – it can actually paralyze my creativity,” ysabelle admits. “Early on, I developed a significant fear of disappointing people, and that fear intensified as my YouTube audience grew.”
To combat this imposter syndrome, ysabelle actively reconnects with the joy that fueled her initial passion for music. “I remind myself of the sheer fun I had making music, filming, and editing videos in the beginning. Imposter syndrome is a real struggle for creatives. To stay grounded and authentic, I make a conscious effort to connect with myself, my faith, my loved ones, and my fans. It also helps to not take everything so seriously and to pursue projects that genuinely bring me joy! The creative outputs that come from those joyful sessions are almost always the ones I cherish the most.” This focus on joy and authentic expression is evident in “Slow Dancing,” a song that feels both deeply personal and universally appealing.
Ysabelle Cuevas smiling and looking to her right, wearing a white top and jeans, with soft lighting
Photo by Ivan Martinez (@imyourlens).
Ysabelle’s passion for creativity is vividly displayed in her video editing style. Her short reels and longer videos possess a vintage, retro aesthetic, yet avoid direct references to specific eras. The result is a timeless, cinematic, and visually captivating style. Ysabelle draws inspiration from Pinterest boards, second-generation K-Pop groups, and female artists such as NIKI, Sasha Sloan, and Maisie Peters. “Their visuals always feel nostalgic, reminiscent of the early 2000s, yet still feel incredibly modern. I’m also captivated by the color palettes in Studio Ghibli films and music videos by K-Pop legends like IU and Taeyeon.” This curated visual sensibility enhances the overall artistic package that ysabelle presents, from her music to her online presence.
Recently, ysabelle embarked on a two-week tour in the Philippines. Due to the limited time, she primarily stayed within Metro Manila. “I was performing shows with my friends almost every day, which was incredible!” she recounts. “The largest crowds were definitely at the mall shows. Malls in the Philippines are gigantic, often four stories tall.” She even had the opportunity to open for Jeremy Zucker before a crowd of a thousand people at one of these mall shows.
Ysabelle Cuevas in a blue jacket and skirt, playing a pink electric guitar on stage with a band in the background
Promo art for “I See Stars.” Photo by Jules Wagstaff (@daturaphoto).
“One of the most surreal moments was performing with Moonstar88, one of my all-time favorite bands,” ysabelle shares. “I grew up learning their songs on guitar and playing them at family gatherings. So, it was unbelievable when their vocalist personally invited us to perform with them. Hearing her stories about balancing multiple careers and pursuing her passions was truly inspiring. I also loved connecting with the band I toured with. We not only performed together but also spontaneously took a road trip to a famous volcano on my departure day back to the US. Huge thanks to Daniel and the entire DP team for that!”
During her time in the Philippines, ysabelle officially joined the Universal Music Group Philippines family in a signing ceremony. UMG came highly recommended by a former manager when ysabelle decided to focus on her original music. “After numerous discussions, we decided to make it official! I finally met the team in person during my trip to the Philippines,” she explains. “I’m incredibly excited to be partnering with such a young, motivated team of creatives who prioritize the artist.” This partnership with UMG Philippines marks a significant step in ysabelle’s career, providing her with a platform to reach a wider audience with her original music, including tracks like “Slow Dancing,” which are sure to resonate globally.
Ysabelle’s future is packed with exciting projects. A collaboration with folk/rock group Michael Barrow & The Tourists, titled “I See Stars,” was released on August 18, 2023. This song serves as the theme for Season 4 of the popular Webtoon original comic, The Kiss Bet. Webtoon, a South Korean digital comic platform, boasts an impressive 6.2 million daily readers, offering ysabelle’s music significant exposure.
With “Slow Dancing” already making waves, ysabelle and her team have completed an EP, set to be released under Republic Records Philippines (a UMG subsidiary) in the coming months. This EP promises to further showcase her artistry and solidify her position as a rising original artist.
Despite her growing success, ysabelle remains grounded and enthusiastic. She cherishes the small, meaningful moments. “Occasionally, listeners will recognize me and ask for photos at the mall, in a cafe, or even at the grocery store. Recently, when I was in the Philippines, my song was playing in a restaurant, and a couple of teenagers across from our table were singing along. They had no idea who I was. That was a pretty incredible moment.” These encounters highlight the genuine connection ysabelle is building with her audience through her music, a connection that goes beyond fame and truly celebrates the joy of music and shared experiences, even something as simple and beautiful as slow dancing to the music.
“Slow Dancing” is available now on all streaming platforms. You can follow ysabelle on Instagram @justysabelle and listen to her captivating new single below.
