Photos provided by Izzy T
A visionary is a person with a powerful imagination. A visionary might have a powerful imagination or be given to audacious ideas.
Where have all the musical visionaries gone? Throughout the history of music, especially the last 50 years or so, there have been a great deal of people who could rightfully be described as musical visionaries. People who have taken the music and the industry into new areas, whether it be David Bowie or The Beatles, creating music under alter egos to give themselves fresh perspectives, Trent Reznor taking us to the depths of our souls, Tool looking into our subconscious, or Aphex Twin completely playing the game his own way. I'm sure you could think of many more. And I'd just like to point out, I'm not talking about rock stars. I'm talking about true visionaries, who have gone their own way, and whether it be for better or worse, they have left their mark in music history.
Well, that was until I was introduced to Izzy T. It was the first time I heard of an alternative pop artist, that has her own unique perspective on what music should sound like. It isn’t a specific genre. It is a mix of many sounds together. Interesting enough, it all makes sense.
Izzy T is a true visionary and will lead the way for many years to come. Which is why we had to catch up with her for an interview.
ABOUT IZZY T
Izzy T is a British Iranian alternative pop artist, pioneering a unique fusion of guitar and electronica, creating a timeless yet futuristic tapestry of sound, driven by her seductive and fierce vocal style. Recent releases such as ‘’All Or Nothing’, Catch Myself' and 'I Feel Everything' have garnered multiple BBC Radio 1, BBC Introducing and world-wide radio plays, alone side x6 Editorial placements such as Misfits 2.0, Shockwave, Apple Music Rock & more.
Izzy has also had songs chosen as “track of the week” on BBC Radio 1 and has been played numerous times by DJs Alyx Holcombe and Nels Hylton, describing the magnetic opus as having the same reminiscent and empowering energy of Christina Aguilera’s Fighter.
Last year, another single of’ Izzys made it as No.5 on the list of best tracks of 2022 DJ Alyx Holcombe's BBC Radio 1 Introducing Rock. Sitting next to artists like Nova Twins. Izzy T’s artistry is designed to inspire, with assertive and thought-provoking lyricism laced with poetic prowess. Her unique vocal timbre and out-of-this-world range are incredible to experience both live and recorded.
The visionary artist’s songs have been featured on Spotify editorial playlists including Misfits 2.0, Shockwave and Apple music's Rock Right Now. Her songs have been played by over 22 radio stations worldwide and continue to grow Izzy’s loyal fan base. Izzy T has already made her mark on iconic stages across the globe, including The Viper Room Los Angeles, the Birmingham Barclaycard Arena (supporting Placebo), Nashville's Tootsies, LA’s Hotel Cafe, Pride performances and more. Her shows are hypnotizing with incomparable live vocals.
Press endorsements include features in Billboard, Rolling Stone, Wonderland, Earmilk, BBC, Kerrang! “Track of the Week”, and more. Izzy T has also been tipped by Rolling Stone, and Louder Than War as one of the top 40 artists to watch this year. As a feminist and humanitarian who is connected to her ancestry, Izzy has also been performing at various philanthropic protests for the equality and liberation of the Iranian people.
Izzy T is currently working on new music with a variety of producers in the UK, and U.S. including Jake Magness (Machine Gun Kelly, Halsey), and platinum mix/master engineer/producer David Gnozzi of MixbusTV, with more upcoming shows in the UK and LA
INTERVIEW WITH IZZY T AND GUITAR THRILLS MAGAZINE
Guitar Thrills: Hello Izzy. Thank you for joining me today. This is the first time we had the opportunity to chat. I have a host of questions to ask you regarding your mesh of genres. Including how we define you as an artist visionary.
First, I would like to know more about your musical influences. Who were some of your inspirations as you grew up in the music industry?
Izzy: It was really a cocktail of styles that inspired me growing up. My first, was an absolute OBSESSION with Michael Jackson. I loved the way he presented himself, from his clothes, his stage persona, and the way he switched up styles to make something different. The blend of rock and R&B in 'Dirty Diana' was what really got me hooked. the dark visuals, THAT guitar solo, the concept and his delivery was just so iconic, that was my first hair brush in the mirror moment as a kid. Then after that I started getting into artists like Destinys Child, Pink, Christina Aguilera, Audioslave, Green Day etc. All of these artists married good melody with good lyrics, so I respected them and took a lot of inspiration from their songs.
Guitar Thrills: How important is lyrics to you? Do they define you as a person or artist? Or both?
Izzy: You know what, I was literally sat in a coffee shop this afternoon with a producer friend of mine (Jacob Bunton) talking about this. We both agreed that as real artists, when both good melody and lyrics are combined to make a great song, that's what we love. However, a lot of songs on the radio and TikTok these days are absolute trash, and the lyrics are cringe, but kids are playing these songs on repeat because of the melody, not the lyrics. To me (as I started writing poems before songs as a kid), I've always held lyrics and being extremely important, in my songs, and anyone else's songs that I write, but melody is KING
Melody is what people hear at a festival, or a crowded bar, before the lyrics. Good lyrics are almost like the dessert to the meal. It honestly feels like art, and music, are being diluted, and dumbed down SO much for kids, streaming platforms, and trendability on social media.My supporters deserve way more than that, and I'm always going to give them quality, even if it's in a song that's longer than two and a half minutes that has less chance of getting playlisted. Seriously, what the industry wants, I'm going to put out what I, and my fans want.
Guitar Thrills: I noticed that you have a culture that include both British and Iranian. Which nationality has a strong influence on you as a musical visionary?
Izzy: Honestly, both in their own way. Obviously being British has exposed me to a lot of iconic British bands like Black Sabbath and Queen growing up, but later in. life, I would say my Persian roots started becoming more and more apparent.
In Iran for more than 40 years, the people of Iran, especially the women, have been SO oppressed. Its really sad for how beautiful the country and the culture actually is, because Persian art and culture has brought a lot to society, and still has so much more to offer other than oil. Being half Persian has definitely shaped me to be a fighter I would say, whether that's fighting against the norm, fighting against the pressure and oppression society is putting on women, or literally punching people in the head in the ring.... with that kind of culture in my veins where women have to fight everyday just to have the right to LIVE like any other person, its inevitable.
Guitar Thrills: How are you able to use your music to help others?
Izzy: I turn my pain into power. And I create songs/content that encourage people to do the same. Whether my music makes people want to cry, want to fight, or say, I'm going to pursue my passion and see where this goes', I know my music definitely evokes strong EMOTION, which i feel pretty proud about. I feel like a lot of music is almost made to make you feel numb, or be easily categorized for easy listening shit, but that's not what I'm about. I want to make people FEEL, because for some people, that's the only way they CAN feel, is through music.
Guitar Thrills: Do you believe this has ever held you back as an artist, or has it contributed to your success?
Izzy: Both. I feel like my struggle with depression and imposter syndrome held me back for a few years.... but in the same breath, birthed some of my best songs, that have resonated with people the most, and shaped me into the artist you're talking to today. Without that story, who knows what I'd be singing about, you know? It's that argument isn't it, artists need PAIN, to be true artists. I don't think artists necessarily need pain to be good artists, but at least for the genre I am, it kinda makes sense!
Guitar Thrills Broadcast
Guitar Thrills: It appears you have performed in many countries thus far. Where have you received more support musically? (fan base)
Izzy: Britain and America have been the main ones! Although I've noticed my listens are going up in places like Germany, and Brazil!
Guitar Thrills: I have read some quotes about your ability as a vocalist. I would agree, you have strong vocals and there doesn’t seem to be any limitations. Do you feel that you have additional things to work on that will contribute to your success as an artist? If so, what are they?
Izzy: That's a good question! I feel as human beings, we're never 100% finished. We will always be students of life, until our last breath, and I feel the same way about music.
The last show I did I incorporated me playing guitar, which Usually its just me running around on stage with a mic, but my last gig I really wanted to make a SHOW, so one song in particular ('Villain), I picked up the guitar and sang a stripped version of the song. A lot of people were shocked as they didn't know I even play guitar!
Guitar Thrills: Did you ever consider other genres of music before choosing alternative pop?
Izzy: Yes! so when I was 17 I joined a hardcore metal band back at home in Hull with a bunch of lads who were way older than me haha, my mum hated it!
I've always been a little Mosher! and loved metal, whether its Bring Me The Horizon, Arch Enemy, Bullet For My Valentine etc, I loved singing and metal screaming to those songs.Eventually when that band split up, I continued making music, but with producers in Leeds, a city close to Hull up north where I went to uni. I met a producer that really opened my mind to having beats, with rock music, which I've subconsciously always been into! from then on, that's been my sound.
Guitar Thrills: Do you play an instrument? If so, what kind and what brands best suit you as an artist?
Izzy: But I've been playing since 15, so I want to incorporate more guitar playing in my live shows, as I feel like it's a big part of who i am. I played a gorgeous Jackson guitar that I borrowed from my mate. I've loved Jackson ever since I saw Randy Rhodes play one when he played for Ozzy. I used to own an Ibanez, but I guttingly had to sell it one time years ago when i was broke and needed to pay rent in London. I've always really wanted to get another electric guitar but honestly I've moved around so much, I have a gorgeous Taylor acoustic guitar back in London where I used to live, but I couldn't take it to LA with me, so its currently in the spare room in a flat, above a London pub! Now Im in LA I definitely need to get a couple of guitars!
Guitar Thrills: Most artists have a plan of action and a timeline for achieving it. Do you have goals, and a timeline for achieving them?
Izzy: Of course! I want to support bigger artists, tour, and do it ALL. How I'm going to do it? I'll keep that to myself, and you can watch when it happens!
Guitar Thrills: If you were not able to achieve the level of success that you desire, do you have alternative plans? I personally don’t see any limitations to what Izzy T will be able to achieve in the music industry. However, I like to hear what you personally think.
Izzy: Well i barely have tits, i don't have a big arse and i have crooked teeth, so only fans is out the window! Maybe I will sell feet pics, Lilly Allens been doing that and said its the best amount of money shes ever earned!Honestly, I am not submissive enough to be in a normal kind of job, I am painfully outspoken at times so it's really art or die for me.
Guitar Thrills: What projects are you currently working on, and when can your fans expect to hear more?
Izzy: I'm working with a few producers from back at home on songs that I am REALLY excited about, there's also a bunch of epic unreleased shit that I have in the Izzy T vault, that I am going to be dropping next year! I'm independent, so it's taken a little longer getting things together, as money makes the world go round! I have just been keeping my head down writing, collaborating, working and getting everything aligned, so when I DO release, the songs have some steam behind them.
If you know any millionaires who fancy investing in a real artist though, chuck them my number!
Guitar Thrills: Will you keep us in the loop, we will be more than happy to help promote your next album or release. We also hope to have you back for another interview. How does that sound?
Izzy: I'd love that! I have a bunch of songs I'm releasing next year, a few of them have crazy music videos, so I feel like I'll really be giving my supporters what they want and spoiling them! Which feels great.
When you're ready to have a mouthy Brit back let me know!
Guitar Thrills: LOL... Excellent. Thank you for your time today.
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