Check out our interview with popular LA Native songwriter, producer and pop artist Izza who just released her new angsty pop-punk Halloween anthem hit single “Monster” today! Whether it’s heartbreak, loneliness or toxic relationships, “Monster” is a song anyone can relate to.
Izza was recently announced as the opening act for Maroon 5, ONEREPUBLIC, Kelly Clarkson, and more at Audacy’s We Can Survive 2023 concert at Prudential Center on Saturday, October 14, 2023! As the winner of this year’s Opening Act competition, Izza was voted to be the opener out of over 15,000 artists from across the country.
Follow Izza @izzaroze
Hi Izza, please tell us a little about you?
Hi! My name is Izza and I’m a pop singer, songwriter, and producer from Los Angeles. I fell in love with songwriting at an early age and immediately knew I wanted to be an artist. I feel like my most authentic self when I’m writing and performing. Being able to write about my experiences in songs has helped me overcome difficult periods in my life and has encouraged me to follow my dreams. I hope I can inspire others to do the same.
Describe your sound in 3 words?
Energetic, Empowering, Unapologetic
Tell us about your new single “Monster?” What’s the story behind the song?
I love Halloween so much and wanted to write a song to drop during spooky season. However, when I had to go write a song, I was suffering from a really bad spell of depression. This happens less often than it used to, but I’m human and it’s something I’ve suffered with for a very long time. When I’m in a depressive cycle, it’s really hard to focus, enjoy life, and have energy to do the things I love like making music. I remember right before I went to go sit down and write Monster, I had just finished sobbing in my bed.
Writing a song was the last thing I wanted to do, but I had to do it if I wanted to release the song in time for Halloween. The next thirty minutes it felt like I blacked out because I don’t even remember writing the song or how I ended up with Monster. I wasn’t even in a tumultuous relationship at the time like the song describes. Or at least that’s what I thought. I didn’t realize I was writing about my depression, but when I did, the song became the motivation I needed to get back to becoming myself. Whatever or whoever your Monster is, I swear to god there’s a light at the end. It feels so good to not let my demons live in the dark. The more I talk about it the less it consumes me. My struggles aren’t who I am, they just teach me that I’m a lot stronger than I think I am.
And about the huge success of your previous single “United States of Robbery?”
The response to United States Robbery has been so rewarding. I was featured on the news channel KTLA, which is the news channel I grew up watching with my family. It was a very full circle moment to have made that song a year ago, and for it to be released with all of the mall robberies that were happening around Los Angeles in August. It just reaffirmed how theft and crime is still very relevant in Los Angeles and in the United States. I hope this song gives people a perspective on how allowing crime can affect individuals and not just major companies.
How was the creative process for the music video?
For the United States of Robbery music video, I wanted to create the robbery that happened to me. Although I was not at the robbery itself, I imagined what the robbers were thinking, feeling, and what it would look like. It was very therapeutic to create a music video about an event that was very traumatizing to me. making the song video allowed me to reclaim my power and have control of an unfortunate situation. Although I was upset about losing my material things, I was more upset about feeling violated, and that my safety and well-being was not a concern.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
The most rewarding part about making music is making other people happy. Of course, I love to perform and write songs, but to affect people in such a vulnerable way is the best feeling in the world. I know what it feels like to have songs change my life and be there for me in times where I feel alone. So for people to listen to my music when they’re struggling or even if they’re just happy is so fulfilling. Music to me is the best medicine there is.
What advice would you give to your younger self and why?
I used to worry and apologize a lot when I was younger. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that I don’t have to make myself small or constantly apologize, in order to seem polite, or fit some sort of stereotype of how a young woman is supposed to behave. It’s important to prioritize your happiness and put yourself first.
What’s next for Izza in the last months of 2023 and for 2024?
I’m so excited to be playing at the We Can Survive concert in New Jersey. Mental health is so important to me and the show benefits the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention. I can’t think of a better way to share my music and bring awareness to mental health. I’m also releasing my second Christmas song in November called Holiday Secret! 2023 has been one of my favorite years so far, and I can’t wait to release more music and play more shows in 2024.
What is your own definition of happiness?
To me, happiness is living the way I want to live, and not letting other people control my emotions, or any other aspect of my life. As someone who has experienced depression for a very long time, I’ve learned that true happiness is only possible when I prioritize my mental health. Learning how to not be a people pleaser is very difficult, but once I learned that it was hindering my happiness, I stopped putting others first. I felt freed of all of my anxieties and sadness.
Where we can follow you?
You can follow me @izzaroze to keep up-to-date with my new releases, and hear unreleased music!
Photo Credit: Sean Behr @tornblackjeans
