isaiah villar
What did Norco Music mean to you?
At its very core, NOMU has always been about collaboration. When I first joined the program in high school, I entered at the same time other major artists from the program were starting out or gaining a following (Nathan Scott, T.J. Stoneking, Rayhaan, Farris, Richard Nelson, Devin Renee, etc.), and many of them, along with my peers, encouraged me to grow in my craft. Looking back, there are so many artists I could name who inspired me during my time—and still do—but unfortunately, that list would be as long as this interview.
Right off the bat, it was my way of getting to know the local music scene and familiarizing myself with the bands and artists in my area. Before this experience, the only music scene I knew was through the internet, so it was amazing to discover music in my own community that resonated and inspired me as an artist.
Overall, Norco Music shaped me into the artist I am today. It was a place for me to become a better musician, producer, songwriter, and collaborator. While the students played a major role in that, I can’t thank Brady Kerr and Aaron Eastwood enough for their patience and guidance along the way.
Favorite memory from your time here?
I’ve had many memories at NOMU, but my favorite has to be working with my group, The Sleepless Society (with Taylor Taxdal, M.K. Pena, and David Amado). Formed during songwriting class just before the pandemic, it was a project blooming with so many ideas. I remember we had a long break between classes, so after songwriting, we’d grab a quick bite and head right back to refining whatever we had written that day. Many of those songs still mean a lot to me, and I’m hopeful we’ll release them someday. We still keep in touch, and I consider M.K. and David some of my closest friends from the program. Taylor, who recently became my girlfriend, has supported me through every aspect of my life. Looking back, that project grew into something far deeper than the music we created.
Another moment that stood out was at the Collision Course release party, when Rayhaan invited some of us to sing with him during his performance (including me). This was during my early days in the program, and honestly, I wasn’t the biggest fan of NOMU at the time. But “Sing in the Dark” really resonated with me. Talking to Rayhaan about the song gave me a new perspective on NOMU. It made me see the program as something meaningful—and it’s probably the reason I’m even featured here today. I can’t thank Rayhaan enough for showing me that side of the program when I couldn’t see it myself.
What are you doing now?
Recently, I released my fifth album, THE JOB TRIALS (pronounced “The Jobe Trials”), so I’ve been focused on creating supporting material—music videos, acoustic performances, and hopefully more music from this era. I also released physical versions of both this album and CYCLES OF CHANGE, which some fans had requested for a while. I’m happy to finally offer that.
Alongside that, I’ve been working with my group, nhm. (with Mat Nee and Bobby Rigo). We performed at NOMU Fest last year, which has been one of my favorite memories. I’m also helping Brady Kerr with the tracklist for NOMU’s next album, which I’ve been involved with since Standing on the Shoulders of Giants. Outside of music, this year is about slowing down and working on other areas of my life. I’ve released music non-stop for a decade, so it feels good to take a moment to reflect.
Still, my mind is always on what’s next. I began working on THE JOB TRIALS before I had even finished CYCLES OF CHANGE, and much of the music, visuals, and planning had already been in motion for years. I won’t say much about the next project, except that it’s the final act in my “FAITH” trilogy, which includes CYCLES OF CHANGE and THE JOB TRIALS.
Biggest challenge you’ve faced?
There have been many. To be honest, almost everything I’ve done has been a solo effort—music, videos, artwork, social media, merch, all of it. Each project is a new era with its own plan, and every one of them is self-funded. I’m constantly taking a huge risk, wondering whether people will care or connect with it.
There’s also the mental challenge—checking stats, comparing myself to others—and balancing that with personal responsibilities like family, church, work, and health. It can get overwhelming.
What keeps me going is passion. I want the vision in my head to come to life, whether or not it becomes successful. Most importantly, I’ve learned not to put my identity in my work, but in Christ alone. I leave it in His hands and trust what He does with it. I’m still growing in my walk with the Lord, and while it’s easier said than done, that perspective helps me persevere.
A moment you knew you were on the right path?
As much as I love creating, I don’t know if I’ll still be making music 30 years from now. I see myself shifting paths and exploring new mediums. But the messages I receive from people about how my music connected with them during certain moments in their lives—that’s when I know I’m doing something right. I may not always know how to respond, but I’m forever grateful. As long as I have something to say, I’ll keep creating, hoping it reaches someone. That’s always been the goal.
Project you’re most proud of?
I’ll give two answers—one for my career overall and one from my time at NOMU.
For my career, it’s the FAITH trilogy: CYCLES OF CHANGE, THE JOB TRIALS, and the final act I’m still working on. Those albums reflect major changes in my life, and they continue to feel relevant. They’re the most cohesive work I’ve done, and I still revisit them often. I’m truly thankful for what God has done through them.
At NOMU, aside from The Sleepless Society, which I’ve already talked about, I’m proud of “Guiding Light” and “Star-Crossed.” “Guiding Light” was the only solo song I released in the program and still resonates with me. “Star-Crossed” showed me what happens when others join in creatively. Writing that with Morelia Murillo, and getting help from Tako, Farris, Cassidy Tadeo, Chance Carmichael, and Ashley Madeleine, was a joy. We recently restored the song for NOMU’s Best Of albums, and I’m thankful to Brady Kerr for helping bring it back to its original vision.
Outside of music, the NOMU project I’m proudest of is Standing on the Shoulders of Giants. That album was a celebration of everything NOMU had achieved, and the music still means a lot to me. As for photoshoots, aside from Taylor (because I’d be a biased boyfriend), I’m most proud of the shoots I did with iamsnail and Bobby Rigo. They’re incredibly kind people, and I’m grateful for the trust they gave me in representing their image. Especially with iamsnail, we clicked easily and bounced ideas back and forth, and I think that’s reflected in the final result.
How do you stay inspired?
First and foremost, my faith in Jesus Christ. I don’t categorize my music as Christian, but my faith inevitably influences everything I do. Every album has its own set of musical inspirations, but the artists I always come back to are Radiohead, Kendrick Lamar, Porter Robinson, Alvvays, Twenty One Pilots, Jon Brion, Brian Wilson, and The Microphones/Mount Eerie. I can’t always explain why, but their work inspires me deeply.
Funny enough, most of my inspiration comes from outside of music. I love watching movies, going on walks, studying clothing design, hanging out with friends, visiting Universal Studios, and traveling. I believe in living outside of the studio and using those experiences creatively. My biggest non-music inspirations are Jim Henson, David Lynch, Stanley Kubrick, Monty Python, and Fred Rogers—their creativity and work ethic have always pushed me.
What advice would you give current Norco Music students?
To any current NOMU students reading this, here are a few lessons I wish I’d heard earlier:
Colossians 3:23 (NLT) says, “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” Even if you don’t believe in God, I take this to mean: give your best. As a Christian, I don’t want to glorify God with something that isn’t my best effort, so this verse motivates me. People may not recognize your work right away—my peers took years to take me seriously as a songwriter—but if you trust the process and stay committed, it’ll be worth it.
Take every opportunity seriously. Whether it’s a studio session or a performance, be professional. Don’t flake or make false promises. Your reliability is part of your reputation, and trust, once lost, is hard to rebuild.
Build a body of work you’re proud of. Even if it’s not perfect, learn and move on. Don’t let perfectionism stall your growth. Walt Disney said, “We keep moving forward—opening up new doors and doing new things—because we’re curious.” That curiosity drives the best work. Don’t create to please others—create what resonates with you. If you don’t love it, why should anyone else?
Lastly, if you become successful—at NOMU or beyond—don’t gatekeep your knowledge. Share what you’ve learned. Collaborate with newcomers, even if they’re inexperienced. I’m grateful to T.J. Stoneking for believing in me when I was new. I hope I’ve done the same for others, and I plan to keep doing so.
Sorry for the long answer—but these lessons were hard-earned, and I hope they help. NOMU gives you the tools. What you do with them is up to you. Or, as Back to the Future says, “If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything.” Wishing you the best—I’ll be cheering from the sidelines (more specifically, the NOMU Instagram page).