Izzie’s Caravan has been on a non-stop tear since the release of their debut EP in December 2019. Since then, they’ve released no less than 3 EPs and 1 full-length, their critically acclaimed “Blow The Lid” debut album. With two #1 UK Blues iTunes chart singles, Izzie and the boys show no signs of slowing down. We were able to catch up with them in the midst of the album’s release campaign, and Izzie was gracious enough to answer our questions…
Congratulations on the success of your new album, “Blow The Lid.” What inspired you to write and record an 18 minute epic song at the end of the album?
Hi there. Really glad to be speaking with you about our new LP ‘Blow The Lid’. We’ve actually had ‘Curse Of Anastasia’ in our catalogue from early 2000’s. However, when we first recorded it, we obviously didn’t have the musical know-how or the tools to really do justice to the song. The time round, when I started putting the pieces together, it really did take a life of its own and its got such a dark and beautiful history behind it…so for me it was very important to let the story tell itself. And in many ways the music simply became an accompaniment to that story.
Tell us about the band members. Who are they, and what are they like as people?
Well, there’s Sim on vocals and Robbie on keys. Sim and I started our musical journey together and when I started this project, after dropping a couple of EPs, it just didn’t feel complete without him. Honestly, we’re brothers and having that comfort and trust in someone like him makes me feel more assured in this project and that what we’re doing is the right thing in following our childhood dreams. Robbie’s the same way. Working with him is just phenomenal because I literally just give him the tracks and he nails it every time. Its just been great having these guys on board.
Were you involved with music as a teenager? Did you play in any bands back then? How did you get started?
Yeah, I don’t know what my life would be if I didn’t have music in it. And in a way its been of a text-book journey in many ways where I remember being part of a high-school band and I used to play bass…purely because one of the first guitars I bought actually turned out to be a bass and I just slotted in as a bass player by virtue of having a bass! It wasn’t until early 2000’s when Sim, myself and a buddy of ours, Ray, formed ‘The Deep Impacters’. We released a couple of demo records back then…which we still hold very dear to us.
How would you describe your brand of music to someone who has never heard of Izzie’s Caravan?
We’re a proud, traditionally-oriented blues-rock band. Everything we write is grounded in the blues and in many ways its such a bunch of blue riffs thrown together…cranked up to 11! To me, guys like Johnny Winter, Rory Gallagher, Clapton, Stevie Ray, early-Aerosmith are the usual suspects who I listen to literally on a daily basis that act as our core influences.
How would you describe an Izzie’s Caravan fan?
Someone who is a lover of music, a lover of the blues…someone who can relate to the music and make sense of it. For me personally, I haven’t bought into the whole hype of ‘likes’ and ‘views’ and ‘Insta guitar players’ or whatever’s happening out there… We’re still rooted in that traditional narrative where we release new music and hopefully next year, once things dial down without pandemic, we can get this circus on the road and actually play infant of people and meet real fans.
What is the highlight of your music career, so far?
It would have to be when my last EP ‘On The Pull’ hit the radio and made it on to the Relix Jamband Charts in July 2020. It was a surreal moment seeing the band’s name in the same charts as Bob Dylan, whose record was four spots above ours, and I honestly think that was such a thrilling moment for me. I mean. c’mon, that’s Bob Dylan and my record is in the same charts as his! Just an amazing feeling!
What does Izzie like to do when he’s not making music?
I love watching sports…I’m a boyhood Arsenal FC fan! The other love of my life is Philosophy, which I did my academics in, so the curiosity of understanding and discovering ancient and new ideas does occupy quite a bit of my time.
What is up next for you in 2021?
Well, at this point we’re promoting this record and I haven’t had much time to pick up the guitar. But I know once I do, somethings gonna come up…a riff that I like…which will probably manifest itself in a song…So I wouldn’t be surprised that you’ll be hearing a lot more new music from us before this year is over. We’re also working on tour arrangements for the Summer of 2022. Check out our website at www.izziescaravan.com for all the latest on that.
Thanks Izzie! We appreciate the time!
