Name: Izo FitzRoy
Occupation: Singer, songwriter
Nationality: British
Current release: Izo FitzRoy's new single "Chasing Days" is out via Japaleno.

If you enjoyed this Izo FitzRoy interview and would like to know more about her music, visit her official website. She is also on Instagram, Facebook, and Soundcloud. 

For the thoughts of one of her remixers and current producer, read our Kraak & Smaak interview.



Where does the impulse to create something come from for you?

I tend to write predominantly about personal experiences, and through my own perspective. I am always interested in relationships in general, my relationship I have with myself.

Each album I’ve written is created from the themes and patterns that I’m contemplating at that time. The last album for example was written after a period of intense self reflection and isolation.

For you to get started does there need to be concrete ideas or a visualisation of the finished work?

Not at all. I like keeping the process as open as possible.

I keep a scrap book of images, quotes, photos, lyrical ideas that help me make sense of where it’s going. I let musical ideas bubble up fairly naturally whilst also compiling a list of albums which are resonating the most - due to songwriting or production.

Do you have certain rituals to get you into the right mindset for creating? What role do certain foods or stimulants like coffee, lighting, scents, exercise or reading poetry play?

I like to be as clear as possible mentally and physically when I’m preparing to create a new project.

Caffeine, alcohol and sugar are pretty much banned when I’m in the initial phase. I tend to get some of my best ideas in the middle of the night so I like to be as ready as I can be to note them down. I try not to listen to any music / podcasts during that time so I don’t restrict my ideas. I spend a lot of time walking my dog and singing ideas into my phone too.

The last album I wrote and recorded in Holland, and I really noticed being in a buzzy alive unknown city helped me shift into a more creative mindset.



Every day I would get up at 4am. Meditate, do yoga, take a cold shower and head to the studio at 6am when the streets were still fairly empty. Being in that environment made me write songs incredibly quickly and effortlessly.

What do you start with? How difficult is that first line of text, the first note?

It really depends on what’s around and what bubbles into my head. I mucked around on guitar for the first time with the new album. I didn’t know what chords I was making but two songs wrote themselves really quickly. The novelty seemed to unleash a different creative way.

With notes, I love hooks, catchy choruses so that’s mostly where it starts. I’ll sing something that gets me excited and I know I have something to roll with.

There are many descriptions of the creative state. How would you describe it for you personally? Is there an element of spirituality to what you do?

I absolutely think it’s spiritual and that a lot of the time it has nothing to do with me. It’s hard not to think of an external force being involved when songs pour out easily sometimes. There is a flow that’s so incredible when you’re in it, and so untenable sometimes.

But I guess that’s what makes songwriting magical at times

Once a piece is finished, how important is it for you to let it lie and evaluate it later on? How much improvement and refinement do you personally allow until you're satisfied with a piece? What does this process look like in practise?

I’m a control freak. I have to go through every lyric, and very melody to really check I’ve picked the right thing. So there is a lot of refinement that happens. It’s a tough balance though because you don’t want to iron out mistakes which add to the soul of a song.

My perfectionistic tendencies are definitely something I have to wrangle so that the song isn’t too perfect and shiny!

After finishing a piece or album and releasing something into the world, there can be a sense of emptiness. Can you relate to this - and how do you return to the state of creativity after experiencing it?

Oh gosh I felt this question hit me deeply! I absolutely experience this.

There’s so much excitement and frenetic energy when you’re in the creation phase. It’s my favourite part of what I do. When I’m waiting to release a project there is a sense of grief for letting go something that’s added so much joy and energy to your life. Albeit I’m not a mother I can only explain it as being similar to letting your child leave the nest.

I feel like I find a new iteration of myself with each album so taking something that’s yours and that’s personal, and handing it over to the world is a very unsettling feeling.

To find a renewed sense of creativity I have to remove myself from music and invest myself in other forms of artistry to find that spark. Im relieved now, having released quite a lot of music, that I now know it always returns - when it’s ready (and not before).

Creativity can reach many different corners of our lives. Do you personally feel as though writing a piece of music is inherently different from something like making a great cup of coffee? What do you express through music that you couldn't or wouldn't in more 'mundane' tasks?

Music is absolutely my way of expressing the most vulnerable sides of myself. I find it much easier to pour my heart out into my songs and on stage than in conversation with someone.

Music has an amazing way of making some things that feel so painful - more palatable to those that hear it.