Today, I’m at the park with Izzy B. Phillips from Black Honey (and her dog, Zero). Izzy is a dear friend and all-around badass. She’s a killer songwriter, a captivating performer, and a sick tattoo artist (the lone wolf on my arm is her work). She’s also one of my favorite people.
Izzy’s honesty is refreshing—brutally so, in the best way. In this conversation, we discuss the reality of being an “established” indie musician when the numbers don’t always add up, and why success often looks better from the outside.
Izzy lived with her mom until 30, despite having two albums reach #1 on the UK Indie charts. As Black Honey gears up to release their fourth record, Izzy is focused on staying creatively fulfilled without burning the fuck out.
When I'm struggling with this side of things—like the sort of stress of reality, survival, being a woman in music—life can be difficult, but I'll always have the art. It’s always there for me.
And that is where I draw the most strength in all of it.
We also get into Spotify, toxic positivity, the cultural differences between London’s working-class pride and LA’s fake-it-til-you-make-it climate, and how growing up оn 90s champagne-fueled rock mythology still messes with our heads.
Oh, and Izzy casually reveals she used to be a rugby player, so there’s that too. But can you help us sort out this “winger” position thing? Drop into the comments.
c u next tuesday.
XX CARRÉ
PS: Black Honey’s new album, Soak, is out on August 15th. Pre-order it now. It’s a banger.
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When I entered the music business, I chose being an artist over being a feminist. You couldn't truly be both. Not then. Probably still not now. I didn't weigh the ethics. And I didn't hesitate. That's the worst part: it wasn't even a hard choice for me to make.
