The emerging Rockford indie-folk/pop artist with a release show next week lit up Local Spins on WYCE, which also debuted new music by Cameron Blake, Low Phase, Martyr for Madison and much more.
Inspired by the World Around Her: Rockford singer-songwriter Izubel. (Courtesy Photo)
SCROLL DOWN FOR RADIO SHOW PODCAST, VIDEO
Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene
She’s only 15, but Rockford singer-songwriter Izubel – who picked up a guitar in sixth grade and started writing songs at age 13 – already has 10 years of performances under her belt.
Even her grandmother, Julie Humphrey, a recording artist in her own right, says Izubel was born to sing.
“From the moment she started talking she’s wanted to sing,” Humphrey recalls. “What stands out is her self-determination, which comes from her self-discipline and self-motivation.”
Isabelle Humphrey, aka Izubel (Courtesy Photo)
That determination spurred the 10th grader to record her first collection of original songs recently at Ben Zito’s Centennial Sound in Grand Rapids with help from multi-instrumentalist Max Lockwood (her guitar instructor), guitarist Justin Dore and drummer Daine Hammerle.
Izubel officially releases her debut album, “Yellow Sundress,” during a solo performance at Rockford Brewing Co. in downtown Rockford at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday (Aug. 31). It’s one of the first live music events staged inside Rockford Brewing since the 2020 pandemic.
“The goal is to do what I love and share what I love with other people so I can spread the joy,” say the teen indie-folk/pop singer, who’s long taken guitar and voice lessons. “I take a lot of inspiration from the world around me.”
VIDEO: Izubel, “Genuine” (Live in the Local Spins Studio)
Izubel, aka Isabelle Humphrey, also finds inspiration in the music of Fiona Apple, Jewel, Mother Mother, Mel Bryant & The Mercy Makers and Rosie Tucker.
But she insists that her own music exudes a “super different” spin on indie-folk.
The Debut Album
“My sound has developed since I’ve recorded my album, so I’m excited to share the new music,” said Izubel, who started playing open-mics at Michigan Beer Cellar in Sparta, which was founded by Julie Humphrey and her husband.
“I will be playing the songs on my album, covers and new music that I’ve written this year.”
In addition to showcasing two tracks from the new album for Local Spins on WYCE – “Yellow Sundress” and “About Space” — Izubel debuted one of her newest songs in the Local Spins studio.
View the video of her performance of “Genuine” above, and listen here to this week’s Local Spins on WYCE radio show podcast which also featured new music from Low Phase, Cameron Blake, Martyr for Madison, Djangophonique, The Good Spells, The Dangling Participles, Enrique Olmos, Flowers on the Grave, The Junky Swinger, Chloe Kimes and Max Lockwood (this week’s musician’s pick by Izubel). Local Spins on WYCE spotlights local and regional music at 11 a.m. Friday on WYCE (88.1 FM) and online at wyce.org.
PODCAST: Local Spins on WYCE (8/26/22)
Copyright 2022, Spins on Music LLC
