In this interview, we sit down with Izzy MacArthur, an emerging indie alt-pop/rock artist whose music blends raw vulnerability with catchy, unforgettable melodies. Her latest single, “Landmines,” takes a more stripped-back and intimate approach compared to her previous energetic releases, offering listeners a deeply personal look into the challenges of navigating mental health struggles and complex relationships. We dive into the story behind “Landmines,” her creative process, and how her influences have shaped her distinctive sound. Join us as Izzy opens up about the experiences that drive her songwriting, the importance of emotional honesty in her music, and what it means to create a safe space through her art.

Nicolle: "Landmines" is such an emotionally raw and powerful track. Can you talk a little more about the event that inspired the song and how it shaped your approach to writing it?

Izzy: I wrote it during a time when I felt very disconnected from someone close to me because I noticed they were struggling with their mental health. I wanted to help them but also didn’t know how to be there for them in the way they needed me to be. I originally wrote a first draft of only the lyrics because they came very quickly and naturally. Spencer, who I’ve worked on all my songs with, and I tried to figure out a good melody multiple times, but it wasn’t until we went into a session with Nate and Fran that we felt that the song clicked and we had something special.

Nicolle: Your previous singles have been more upbeat, energetic indie alt-pop/rock tracks. What made you decide to strip things back with “Landmines” and take a more acoustic, intimate approach?

Izzy: All the songs I’ve released up to this point have been super representative of my music taste. Growing up, some of my favourite artists were Fall Out Boy or the Killers, but I also love singer-songwriters from the 2000s, and spent a lot of time listening to records with minimal that I wanted to find something that also represented that side of my taste. I love Damien Rice’s O, Ray LaMontagne’s Trouble, or Bon Iver’s Blood Bank EP, and still listen to them all the time.

All my songs start off on the guitar, and I can usually picture how I want the production to sound as I write it, which sometimes changes, or sometimes stays the same. I think it felt like a very natural conclusion that fit with the song. We started originally writing it on an acoustic bass guitar, and that itself I think set a lot of the tone for the song. The more stripped-back aspects of the songs aligned with the delicate nature of the subject matter discussed. 

Nicolle: The chorus of “Landmines” feels deeply personal yet universally relatable. How do you balance writing about such specific emotions while making sure listeners can connect with the message?

Izzy: I feel like it’s so universally relatable to feel out of control, like you’re in the passenger seat, and know it’s not your job to reach over to grab the wheel in that exact moment. I do truly think that while every person processes their experiences differently, no experience is unique. So if I’ve lived through something, chances are someone else has to and will resonate with the message of a song.

There are details in this song that are extremely specific, but tying them into a metaphor allows for it to be applied to someone’s personal experience. An example is “You took the bridge out to Brooklyn / Cause tunnels make you feel like you’re sinking.” I grew up in Brooklyn, so the detail is so specific to my life, but can also just apply to anyone’s life, even if they’ve never even heard of the Brooklyn Bridge. 

Nicoll: You’ve cited influences like Bon Iver, Lorde, and Phoebe Bridgers, whose storytelling styles are also deeply emotional. How have these artists shaped the way you craft your own songs?

Izzy: I think they’re just so deeply connected to the core concepts of telling a story and doing it justice. They’re not afraid to speak their mind and be vulnerable. 

Nicolle: You mention that both you and the person close to you were trying to cope with your feelings in your own ways. How do you think music has helped you process those emotions, both individually and collectively?

Izzy: I’m very much the type of person who retreats whenever I’m having a hard time. I turned to writing at a young age to be an outlet when I got quiet. I communicate through music and don’t know where I’d be if I didn’t figure that out. One of the only ways to process emotions is to not let them boil or spin inside your mind. Writing became a way to be vulnerable without the scary part of having to say it to someone’s face.

Nicolle: Your music blends indie alt-pop/rock with strong storytelling. How do you go about choosing the soundscape for your songs, and how does that tie into the emotions you’re trying to convey?

Izzy: I love pop and rock music, and I think I just want to have fun playing the songs, which is why I lean so much more toward upbeat songs while trying to remain true to my experiences in the lyrics. There’s something super special about standing in a crowd when an audience relates to an upbeat song, and there’s that one line that everyone wants to scream back. I can so imagine that happening one day, and I look forward to it during a song like “Sleepwalking” or “Misery Missing Company.” 

When I first started writing, I just wanted to do quiet, acoustic songs but realized how much I love upbeat songs I can dance to on my own, which is why so many of mine lean towards that. 

Nicolle: You’ve spoken about mental health struggles in your music before. How important is it for you to use your platform to talk openly about these issues, and how has it resonated with your audience?

Izzy: It’s so important to find people safe enough to talk about mental health with, and I’m so lucky my friends are those people for me. So many people don’t have that safe space, and I do think there’s much less stigma surrounding talking about mental health. However, I think we’ve turned to taking it less seriously and joking more openly, especially online, which sometimes leaves room to have those serious conversations. I just want to help create an open dialogue, and I think it resonates well with my audience because their community is so much greater than mine, and they see each other as a safe space.

Nicolle: You’ve cited artists ranging from Lorde and Sam Fender to Fall Out Boy and Bon Iver as inspirations. What is it about their lyricism and storytelling that resonates with you, and how do you bring that into your own writing?

Izzy: Lorde and I share a birthday, so I think we’re maybe connected on a level deeper than I can understand, but I just resonate with her work a lot. Both she and Bon Iver seem so intentional with their artistry and the “process” which I find super inspiring in a time where there’s a demand for a constant outpour of content.

Sam Fender to me is inspiring because he talks a lot about where he grew up and how that has influenced who he is as a person. Growing up in New York City taught me from such a young age to be independent which I think has trickled into my writing. Fall Out Boy I love just for their super witty and clever lyrics. They love to twist phrases or change the meaning of a phrase in the context of their songs.

One of my favourite songs by them is “Disloyal Order of Water Buffaloes” which contains so many lyrics with double meanings. 

Nicolle: You have a reputation for writing songs that feel like they’ve been pulled from thoughts people are often too afraid to say out loud. How do you find the courage to write with such honesty and vulnerability?

Izzy: A lot of it is just taking the jump. I used to be afraid of speaking my mind or speaking up for myself. I’ve grown into not caring much about what others think of me whether it be what I’m doing, wearing, or who I’m friends with as long as I know I’m doing something at holds to my moral compass. Maybe it comes with growing up, but I think just jumping into the deep end with confidence is something I’ve always admired in others and try to implement as much info my life as possible. 

Nicolle: As an emerging artist, what has been the most surprising or challenging aspect of sharing your music with the world?

Izzy: Having to wear so many hats all the time, and there being such a huge learning curve is the biggest challenge. I have a bit of a leg up because I’m in my last year studying music business, and I’ve had to use everything I’ve learned in school, but then there are so many aspects that I feel like I have to teach myself! It’s been cool because I do all my graphics and have edited a lot of my videos, so I get to practice other ways of being creative and challenging my brain in a new way. 

Nicolle: Looking back at your early career, what moments or experiences do you think shaped you the most as an artist?

Izzy: My parents enrolled me in this creative writing workshop for a few hours every Saturday morning when I was like 11 years old because they thought I was a good writer. They both used to be journalists and hammered into my siblings and me that being a good writer, and able to articulate our thoughts or an argument is one of the most important skills we could have. I was terrible at finishing any short story I wrote in those workshops, but I think it was when I first realised how much I loved creative writing. 

Nicolle: What advice would you give to other emerging artists who are trying to find their voice in the music industry today?

Izzy: I think just do it and be confident in your decisions. My best friend always says that she doesn’t get embarrassed anymore, and we joke that “embarrassment” isn’t in our emotion bank. I don’t think it’s embarrassing to care about something. Be confident in your decisions.

As our conversation wraps up, it’s clear that Izzy MacArthur’s passion for storytelling and emotional transparency is at the heart of her music. With “Landmines,” she not only invites listeners into her journey but also offers a space for others to find solace and connection. Her approach to balancing vulnerability with a powerful soundscape sets her apart as an artist unafraid to explore the depths of her experiences. Whether through intimate acoustic tracks or upbeat indie anthems, Izzy’s music speaks to the power of being unapologetically honest. Keep an eye on this rising talent as she continues to share her voice with the world.

Be sure to follow Izzy on her social channels and stream “Landmines” on all major platforms.

Find Izzy on: Instagram | TikTok | Website |  Facebook | YouTube

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Nicolle Knapova is a little bit of everything. She is a freelance translator, content creator and social media executive for The C Word Mag. She loves indie music and is always browsing through Spotify to find the next amazing artist to obsess over. Her love for storytelling means she’s always writing something and she’s not afraid of any genre. Her biggest dream is to be a published author. If she’s not writing her fan fiction, she’s writing her poetry and sharing it on her Instagram @elisecaverly.