Q&A: Izza Explores New Tastes in Latest Release “Flavor”
IZZA IS BACK WITH A SIZZLING NEW DANCE-POP BANGER - “FLAVOR”. The multi-talented pop singer, songwriter, and producer is known for her electrifying melodies and self-love-inspiring lyrics. Her latest single captures the intoxicating early stages of a relationship through the senses of taste, smell, and touch. With a knack for turning personal experiences into universally relatable anthems, she describes how the sensations of dating can create their own unique "flavor."
In this exclusive interview, Izza dives into the creative process behind "Flavor," which serves as the first glimpse into her upcoming EP, Because I’m Blonde. The EP is a deeply personal exploration of her identity as a blonde woman navigating relationships and self-confidence amidst societal stereotypes. Izza's candid storytelling and infectious energy promise a fresh perspective on themes of love and identity.
Having recently toured Europe and the UK, opening for Leah Kate, Izza continues to captivate audiences with her magnetic stage presence and genuine connection with fans. Her viral social media campaigns, including the unforgettable "Revenge Billboards" video, have solidified her as a force in the pop music scene, drawing acclaim from outlets like Genius, Entertainment Tonight, and the New York Post.
Read below as Izza shares the inspirations behind her music, the journey of creating her upcoming EP, and her unwavering commitment to promoting self-love and vulnerability through her art.
LUNA: The lyrics in "Flavor" use taste, smell, and touch to describe the feeling of new love. That's such a creative approach! Can you tell us more about how you came up with this concept?
IZZA: I came up with the concept of “Flavor” when I started dating someone and during the early stages of seeing each other, he made me breakfast. We were standing in the kitchen and he used the word “flavor.” When I heard that word, I wrote it down in my notes app. This became the song title and was the catalyst to the creation of “Flavor.” I was inspired by how the sensations of food and love can be synonymous. To me, relationships have different flavors and I wrote about the different sensory details I experienced.
LUNA: "Flavor" is the first taste of your upcoming EP ‘Because I'm Blonde.’ How does this single set the tone for the rest of the project?
IZZA: “Flavor” is an upbeat and sexy song that sets the tone for the rest of the EP by creating an image of a “fun blonde.” When I think about the early stages of a relationship or the start of summer, I think of being blonde and having care-free fun.
LUNA: The title "Because I'm Blonde" is quite intriguing. Can you elaborate on the themes you explore in this EP related to your identity as a blonde woman?
When I started writing the EP, I kept on writing about my experiences with being a blonde woman and how that plays a role into my dating life as well as the relationship with myself. There are many stereotypes and connotations when it comes to being blonde, and I wanted to tell my story. From the fun blonde to the dumb blonde, I felt like I was only wanted for a good time and not a long time. It feels as though many of my relationships have an expiration date because blondes are not taken seriously. Specifially, the summertime plays a huge role in these songs because like the summer season only lasting 3 months, it feels like my relationships would only been short-time situationships.
LUNA: You've garnered a lot of attention for your self-love anthems and infectious music. How do you use your platform to inspire your fans?
IZZA: I use my platform to inspire my fans by writing songs about my struggles with self-love as well as making story time videos about times I felt alone and used music to heal my wounds. I hope I can inspire my fans to follow their dreams and to not listen to the haters.
LUNA: You're a singer, songwriter, and producer – that's a lot of creative power! What's your favorite part of the music-making process?
IZZA: It’s so hard to choose a favorite part of the music-making process because I love it all. One part I really enjoy is recording ad-libs and harmonies. I’m a maximalist in every aspect of my life, so adding those extra parts to a song makes me even more excited about the process.
LUNA: You recently opened for Leah Kate in Europe and the UK. What were some of the highlights of touring internationally?
IZZA: I loved touring with Leah in Europe and the UK. My favorite part of my set was singing my song “Gentleman” because the crowd would sing it back to me so loud and it really set the tone of the night. I also loved meeting everyone at the merch booth after my set. Getting to meet and talk with my fans reminded me why I make music. I love bringing joy to people and creating art that makes people want to sing and dance.
LUNA: Social media is a big part of your success. How do you use platforms like TikTok and Instagram to connect with your audience?
IZZA: I love using social media to connect with my listeners and tease new music. My TikTok and Instagram are spaces where I can get insights from my fans on what songs to write, what merch to make, and where I should perform next. I love also DMing with fans and hearing more about their lives.
LUNA: What are you most excited about for your upcoming releases?
IZZA: I’m most excited to release my next song called Sweat! I’ve been sharing tidbits of the song online and there has been a lot of excitement surrounding this song specifically.