The blues songstress is about to release her third album, ‘A Good Woman’, on April 28th via Jalapeño records. This album is Izo’s most personal record to date, a part-biographical take on her personal journey through becoming disconnected due to depression before finally coming home to herself.
Giving a front-row insight into being a woman in a male-dominated, patriarchal society, the twelve-track release features introspective lyrics with songs such as ‘Hope Divine’–speaking of Izo’s voyage into rebuilding her connection with what it means to be a woman, ‘Chasing Days’–an upbeat ode to driven and ambitious women everywhere, and ‘God Gets A Little Busy Sometimes’–a haunting piano track with compelling and dynamic vocals.
Fitzroy takes inspiration from female blues legends like Janis Joplin with their raw, powerful sounds, also inspired in part by her own gospel roots, spending years singing with, leading, and directing touring choirs.
Born and bred in London, Izo has had an intense passion for gospel music since she was a young teenager, spending her days listening to the likes of Kirk Franklin and Mavis Staples. After beginning her artistic journey by writing comedy songs during her time at Glasgow University, she found the more she struggled with her mental health, the more her music naturally progressed to that of a serious, soul-searching place.
The talented artist previously spent a total of eight months in Crescent City, Louisiana, collaborating with some of New Orlean’s finest jazz and blues musicians including Grammy award winner, Jon Cleary. During her time out there she toured America’s Deep South Dive bars, spending time soaking up the atmosphere.
With a talent as raw and pure as Izo’s, it’s no wonder she has gained such respect within the industry. Looking forward to her upcoming UK and Europe tour dates, she is not a musician to be missed. Her live performances are otherworldly and ooze emotional feeling, taking the listener on a palpable journey of Fitzroy’s innermost thoughts.
House Of Solo Magazine spoke to the artist about her new album, her love for gospel, and how she found her passion for performing.
Hi Izo, you are about to release your third album, ‘A Good Woman’. What can you tell us about your creative process behind the release?
This album has been written in a much more playful way than I’m used to. It’s the first time I’ve gone in blind and allowed my stream of consciousness to work its way into various hooks and lyrical ideas rather than locking myself into a particular style.
This album is your most personal record to date and is a part-biographical take on your personal journey through becoming disconnected from yourself due to depression before finally coming home to yourself. It also takes a wider look at being a woman in a male-dominated industry. Can you talk us through some of the themes within the album and what you hope fans will take from it?
I think I have always been a seeker. I’ve always looked for a quick and easy answer to understand myself and why certain parts of my life have always felt like an uphill struggle. It became very apparent to me whilst writing the album that I’ve always looked outside of myself for a deep sense of safety and belonging. The theme that runs through the album is that you can find everything you need within yourself if you look deep enough.
The record features a cover of the classic ‘Love & Affection’ by the legend, Joan Armatrading. What inspired you to put your own spin on the beloved track and include it on this record?
Joan Armatrading is such a force and is someone I’ve always looked up to. She was enormously brave creatively and personally in the late 60s, helping give a much-needed platform to female folk and blues artists in the UK. ‘Love & Affection’ is also, to me, the greatest love song ever written.
You have had a love for gospel music since you were a young teenager, enjoying listening to the likes of Kirk Franklin and Mavis Staples. What artists do you think have had the most influence on you artistically? Who are some artists you’re loving right now?
I’m on a huge Minnie Riperton tip at the moment. She truly had the world’s purest angelic voice but with such swagger. I have ‘Come To My Garden’ on repeat, Charles Stepney’s orchestrations whisk you off to another planet and I just love the interesting ways in which he works with Minnie’s voice and the choir.
You previously spent a total of eight months in Crescent City in Louisiana taking the time to soak up its musical history and perform with various bands and musicians. After spending the first three months there, you returned to the UK to record an album before flying out again, this time to tour the Deep South with your US band. What did you take away from your time there? How do you think it positively impacted you as an artist?
I think the two greatest things I took away from my time in Louisiana were the sheer grit and hard work that every single musician I met there had–I have never known such grafters. Secondly, Southern hospitality is not to be taken lightly. I lived within the Carrollton community and the way I was welcomed in and treated like a member of the family there was unforgettable. The sense of community was most palpable in the second lines which would happen every Sunday–a mass celebration of music, dancing, and community spirit within specific parts of town.
I read that while at university in Glasgow you began by writing comedy songs which helped you hone your songwriting craft. At what point did you realise you wanted to take a more serious route with your music and drop the element of comedy?
I think the more I struggled with my mental health, the more I began using music and songwriting as a safe place to explore my unprocessed emotions. It was a very natural progression.
I’m interested to know when you first found your passion for music and discovered you had such talent?
I always loved songwriting from a very early age, I found immense joy in telling other people’s stories.
I knew from when I was fairly young that my voice had a distinctive quality to it, but it was much later when my songwriting became more introspective and soul-searching I realised it was having an impact on listeners.
There was a moment last year on tour in Spain when I sang my song ‘Shadowlands’ from my first album. It’s a very emotional gospel song which we strip back and perform with just piano and vocals. An old man stood up just after I finished the last note and looked at me and tapped his heart–even though I knew he had absolutely no idea what I was singing about. That really touched me.
Looking forward to your upcoming UK and Europe tour dates, how are you preparing for the string of shows? Are there any particular places or venues you’re excited to perform at?
All of them! Honestly, performing this new album live is going to be the most joyous experience. I can’t wait to take listeners on the journey and hopefully we all come out the other end dancing.
Finally, what’s next on the horizon for Izo Fitzroy? What are some things you would love to conquer within the next few years?
A tour of the States would be wonderful, I’m dying to get over there, but otherwise, I’m just so happy that I get to do this. I’ll keep writing tunes I hope people dig and hopefully lift some spirits at the same time.
