IZZY WITHERS

From moving to London at 16, to working on her debut music and recently performing with the Flames collective, alongside Raye at the Brit awards and a sold out show at the O2 arena. Izzy continues to push herself, finding different opportunities to collaborate in creative spaces. Here she shares how creating music has helped her navigate moving, redefining the concept of home, to the importance of having faith in the idea, if it is meant for you it will come to you. I can’t wait to watch and support her journey, as she shares snippets of her own sound on social media to playing at festivals such as Brighton's Great Escape in May this year!

As a starting point, how did your love for music begin?  

I got into theatre really young so I grew up performing on stage, which I then continued till I was about 14. I think from that, I gained a lot of confidence, because I had so much experience on stage it seemed less scary. Of course, I think it’s different when you’re performing your own material. I think it can be more vulnerable. I have been posting on YouTube and Instagram since the end of primary school, so I was around 10/11. Back then it was called ‘Izzy Wizzy Music’ . I love looking back at old videos and seeing how much I’ve grown and how far I have come. During that time I won an up-and-coming artist competition, with a charity called Eggtooth in Hastings. And that landed me my first ever gig just before covid. I think that experience gave me a taste of what it would be like to be an artist. I moved to London when I was 16 for college, and just got myself into as many rooms as possible introducing myself to anyone, following loads of people on social media, just trying to get my name out there. The rest is kind of history. I've been in sessions now for the past year and a half working and recording my own stuff.  

It must have been difficult moving out that young and especially to such a big city. I know myself moving to London there's so many people, who all seem to have the time to do everything. It can be overwhelming.  

Yeah definitely, I felt like I had to sacrifice like the last bit of my childhood. My parents split up just before I moved, they also sold the family house, so I feel like I struggle with that concept of home, it’s actually something I talk about in one of my songs that's going to be coming out. I feel like I physically have to go forward because I can't go back. When you take that jump, you want everything at home to stay the same but for me suddenly everything else in my life was also moving and changing so it was a lot to deal with.

What have been some of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned while working and collaborating in creative spaces?  

I’d say one thing that I was told once by a girl called Ines, she’s a writer, is hustle. In this industry especially being a young woman. More business settings are very male dominated, so it is a lot harder to get your voice heard, you’ve got to just find that opportunity and grab it. Another thing that I keep close to my heart is that what’s meant for you won't pass you. Understanding there is a bigger picture, if something doesn’t happen then it wasn’t supposed to. When things go wrong, especially when you are freelancing, there are going to be times where jobs you once wanted fall through, but you have to remind yourself that it is okay, and something better is round the corner. Lastly, I would say just being as optimistic as possible, finding the good in every situation. Just grabbing every opportunity even if you think it’s so unbelievable and you could never do it you might as well. What's the worst thing, someone could say no, or it doesn’t work out. You can still learn from it. I think too many people can wait until it comes to them, but you do just need to reach out.

Is there any advice you would give to someone that wants to pursue their passion for music, from different opportunities within social media to performing live shows?  

Something that I think is important that I wish I’d known at a younger age, in terms of posting on social media and live stuff, is that it really doesn’t matter what other people think. The people that told me I would be nothing and do nothing and were mean are following me now. Which I find funny because at this stage  I’m nowhere near where I want to be. Of course, I think listening to and understanding what the people that care about you say like friends or family, is important as they usually will have your best interests at heart. But the opinions of people that are mean, especially in places such as secondary school, don't matter. It’s hard to think outside of that but you’ve got to keep pushing.  

Lastly, looking ahead, what are your hopes and aspirations for your career? 

For me, trying to work with as many young creatives and grow with people is really important. I think it’s easy to get caught up in where you want to be and who you dream of working with but there’s incredible people out there right now who are also in the same place as you, so embracing that and helping each other elevate is key for me, it’s such a nice connection to have. Everyone's idea of success is different, but I think a lot of artists would agree that having music that people enjoy and could relate to is so special. Even if it's a small group that resonates with it. Preferably enough that I can provide for a family one day from the income. I’d love to play music festivals and on bigger stages. You know, to also have my life in music would be special to see that creative process. It all makes me even more excited to release my debut work and see how that takes off.  

Follow Izzy on -  

Instagram: @izzywithers 

TikTok: @izzywithers 

Youtube: @izzywithers