“I love singing live because I feel like I’ve been accepted! I liked the feeling of not always having control over everything, it was a type of freedom.”
replies Izzy Bizu when I start our interview with praising her rooftop sessions and live performances. You can feel and hear straight away that there is something really special about the British singer and songwriter, and the rhythm and range of her voice will just carry you away and lift you up. Her newest EP release “Glita” contains four brilliant new songs as well as an additional one that is a reworking of the previously released ‘Someone That Loves You’, featuring Coldplay’s Chris Martin. We had a chat with Izzy about her very first life performance, her dad singing Pavarotti in the car and reflecting on the glitter moments.
Hey Izzy, first of all thanks for your time! I absolutely love your voice and your sound. What has really caught my attention for your talent were your rooftop sessions. You are such an amazing live performer with a lot of charisma. When was the first time you ever sang in front of people and what are you memories on that moment?
First of all thank you. So glad you enjoyed the rooftop sessions. They were really special to me too and we are doing more for my new EP! My first time singing in front of an audience was when I was about 14 and sang Amazing Grace in my school assembly. I was scared but excited and I prayed that everyone and I could share a moment together. I love singing live because I feel like I’ve been accepted! I liked the feeling of not always having control over everything, it was a type of freedom.
The meaning of the album title” Glita”? It was sorta a metaphor to how everything was so shiny and new when I was a teen and then the glitter would slowly fall away from me.
Does musical talent run in your family?
My parents always loved music, my dad would sing at the top of his lungs to Pavarotti in the car although he was more of an engineer cricket loving type. I looked at him and admired his enthusiasm and humorous outlook to music and my mother put jazz and soul records on and would grab my hands and start dancing with me planting our feet to the ground and just swishing. Gosh they were so much fun and always encouraged me to express myself!
You said that atmosphere is very important to you, also when writing songs you need to feel comfortable in the room. What does a room or a place need to have so you feel comfortable?
The room needs colour, a bit of mess, food, moody lamp candles and it’s gotta be warm!
What means home to you?
Home means coming home to people I love that make me laugh and to cook and share good meals wine and stories with.
“Chris Martin from Coldplay said to me: “be kind to yourself”, which I’m still working on! It proves to be harder than you think!”
Let´s talk about your new EP. In the song „Lights On“ the lead track out of it, you sing about growing up and losing one’s inhibitions, that can however also lead to the loss of innocence and losing sight of one´s way. Is that something you are feeling right now or have felt recently? And how did you find your path again?
Well that’s actually how I felt at the time but not anymore. Now I feel sorta still like a teenager weirdly ha! But in that moment in time I’d sort of lost myself a bit. For a couple months I went through something weird and so had some exciting but hasty moments.
What´s the meaning of the album title „Glita“?
It was sorta a metaphor to how everything was so shiny and new when I was a teen and then the glitter would slowly fall away from me (the glitter being like people I loved). It was the spark fading away and me reflecting on the glitter moments.
“My advice to my younger self? Stop smoking! And know your limits. I used to do everything till it would hurt.”
I am such a big Coldplay fan too – so I am thrilled you also worked with Chris Martin. Was there an instant connection between the two of you when you first met and how did you two actually meet?
Yes, Coldplay were so kind to the band and I and instantly I took a liking to them. Chris was very supportive of us and when we looked and felt nervous, Chris would pat us on the back and say “don’t worry it’s gonna be great, the audience are lovely people” I jammed with him a bit too. It was so fun and a few days into the tour he kindly asked if I’d be up for doing a remake of ‘Someone That Loves You’ with him! I was so stoked! A fun tour I will never forget it and will be forever grateful for.
Is there any special wisdom of life that you learned of Chris Martin? ( besides musical knowledge..)
He said “be kind to yourself”, which I’m still working on! It proves to be harder than you think!
I read you had a Bossa Nova listening phase once, what musical phase are you in right now?
Ha I did, Now I am listening to some Ethiopian music!
What advice would you give your younger self?
Stop smoking! And know your limits. I used to do everything till it would hurt. I’m an all or nothing girl and I’ve only just learnt how to balance that ha (at the same time I had so much fun lol)
Success means…
Success means good people around you, freedom and to know what you want. And most of all NO BOREDOM
Love means…
Love means- laughter, forgiveness, patience!
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Buy EP: smarturl.it/IBLightsOn
Image Credits: Sony Music
