Bay Area music veteran Izzy The Gent has come a long way from playing at his Monterey middle school talent show (performing "Scrape Me" their PG version of Nirvana's "Rape Me") to producing alternative new wave post punk out of East Oakland. His current project Everything But The Everything has gone from a one man band to a collaborative. Top tier collaborations from guest vocalists keep the music fresh and the contributions from Moog specialist Andrew Gomez (NRVS LVRS) and drummer Landon Cisneros (Spirit Mother, Zodiac Death Valley) elevate the music's simple propensities. All of the music is recorded and mixed by studio producer Rex Shelverton (Bella Vista, Vue) who gives the project its unique sound.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Kamil) Hey Everything but the Everything, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. How has the time gone for you since our last interview?
Izzy - It's been crazy busy trying to balance music, work and life but we continue to push. Or as I like to say, "Struggling, Striving."
What role does the artist have in society?
Izzy - To tell the truth. Honesty is inspiring.
Your latest song is 'Never Said'. Can you tell us more about the making of it and if there were any unusual things happening during the process?
Izzy - There were some unusual hiccups with "Never Said", for one I couldn't get the guitar line down. I mean, I could hear it in my head but the notes weren't coming through. It was a chase that took longer than I care to admit. Second, the song I had originally asked Sophia to sing on, she wasn't that into. Her and Golden Plates both were not inspired by the songs I sent them to consider so I suggested a song swap which immediately worked. A bit of a shot to my ego but I understand that sometimes the sounds, the ideas, the inspiration doesn't come and sometimes it's instantaneous.
What’s your strongest memory of your childhood?
Izzy - Riding my bike with my friends. We would ride our BMX bikes all over town. It's probably why I enjoy riding a bike so much now, it makes me feel like a kid.
What’s your most embarrassing moment?
Izzy - I have so many, where do I begin... Getting pantsed in the first grade was not particularly a great memory although I can laugh at it today. Wiping out on a moped in front of the entire school bus stop when trying to be cool was another. I can keep going. How much time you got?
Is the artistic life lonely? What do you do to counteract it?
Izzy - An artistic life can be lonely without a partner that understands ones passion for chasing our dreams. Unfortunately, resentment usually builds that said partner is not "your" first priority and dooms yet another relationship. That's why the camaraderie in a band is so important, at least you have each other.
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of music?
Izzy - I have a road bike that I ride daily. I do love to go fast so I snowboard and occasionally skateboard but to save myself from injury, the road bike has taken over as my main hobby.
What is your dream project?
Izzy - I'm into fixing up houses and reselling them, so continuing to do so is what I want to do. That along with making music and riding my bike seems like the perfect life for me.
What is your favourite or most inspirational place (in United States, Oakland)?
Izzy - In Oakland I love being at Lake Merritt. There's a healthy buzz there. From the people running or on row boats, to the artists that set up shop or play music. The beauty of the lake at all hours is inspiring and I love to be around it.
What can we expect from Everything but the Everything in the near future?
Izzy - More shows, more music, more of everything!!