exploring the lives, works, & inspirations of artists who shape my world.

Brittney “Izzy” Isbell

I felt like in coming back to writing and being an artist with a more consistent practice, it made sense to do an artist study on myself. A lot has changed since the last time I wrote on this website, and as an artist, I’ve changed a whole lot too.

So, here’s me.

My name is Brittney Isbell, though most people call me Izzy—a nickname that’s been with me since high school. I’m a lady of many hats, and for a long time, I didn’t see myself as a “real artist” because my interests were so varied. But I’ve realized that being an artist isn’t about the medium—it’s about the heart you bring to whatever you create.

These days, I spend most of my time writing— like, a lot. I’m thinking in song lyrics. I’m writing about how i feel and i’m being really honest with myself about those feels. Recommitting to The Artist’s Way and consistently doing morning pages rooted in true vulnerability has been transformative. That’s how I ended up with this redesigned website. I needed a space to gather my work so I could see it all together. Sometimes, you gotta see it to believe it.

I sing, do hair, write songs, and play instruments. I make jewelry and dabble in visual art—abstract, geometric, and color-theory-based creations that make me feel glittery inside. I use colors and numbers to engage with the world; with my synesthesia, my senses overlap in ways that feel like magic. I’m deeply inspired by nature, “mistakes,” music, and sensuality. I try my best to operate with curiosity and wonder, staying childlike and pliable.

I’ve spent a lot of my life taking care of others, which has shaped how I approach my own goals and dreams. While I don’t regret the time I’ve spent being a source of stability, I’m learning how to pour that same care into myself and my art.

Through this site, I’ll share my musings, the things I’m watching and listening to, my art, and my jewelry. This is my little corner to connect with you outside of social media. Thank you for being here.

xx,

izzy

Stevie Wonder

your favorite musician's musician. sonic medicine man,  music therapist and heart opener. the Godfather of transitions, b-sections and storytelling through songwriting. there are so very many things to be said about Mr. Stevie Wonder, and i'm unable to put into words the amount of inspiration and joy he gives me. He's been an integral part of my life for as long as I can remember, and even more so now that I'm older and make music myself. I study him more than any other musician because his creations are very technical, yet he makes it look like second nature; effortless as water flowing downstream.

My earliest memory of a Stevie Wonder song is 3rd grade. I was apart of a local pageant called Little Miss Ebony.  During the formal section, they played "Isn't She Lovely" while we walked on stage and smiled with our big vaseline covered teeth (to prevent our smiles from dropping.) I remember how nervous I was, but I hummed along to Mr. Wonder to get my mind off of the lights and all the people. To this day, Stevie serves my all the time mental holiday from life's ills. 

Here are a few of my favorite stevie interviews, songs and docs focused on Stevie Wonder. hope you enjoy. 

xx, 

isbell

Earth Wind & Fire + Chaka Khan

Two concepts essential to great music are Sensuality and spirituality.  

music stimulates a dopamine release in our brains.  it creates a state of euphoria similar to the effect of drugs, good food or sex. music opens up a sacred space in our minds.  even the most secular person  can connect to the spirituality of music.  

two artists i feel embody the concepts of spirituality and sensuality are earth wind & fire and Chaka khan. 

Earth Wind & Fire's name comes from the astrological elements that make up founder maurice white's zodiac chart (he's a sagittarius).  He refers to their music as "message music" which speaks to the fluidity of their lyrics and chord progressions.  I remember being enamored by the combination of the instruments and words the first time i heard can't hide love. their music is the auditory equivalent to stopping to smell the flowers. 

in their debut, They wowed their audience with a combination of their one of a kind sound and enchanting visuals. to this day, going to an earth wind and fire concert is a transformative experience likened to a good church service.

Chaka Khan is the mother of sensuality. she's captured the divine feminine essence for decades and is my personal sovereign. she is every woman; women who are raw and gritty and those who are soft and tender too.  She sings in a way that makes you feel each word, and paints vivid pictures with each note. her word enunciation coupled with her quick side shuffle is a trademarked classic. she inspires women to own the sexuality that we naturally carry and how to do so with spunk and grace.

one of these days ima serenade a boo with sweet thang.

Nai Palm

there is something very comforting  about authenticity.  The artists that i'm pulled to are individuals who live out loud. Artists who are eccentric and are not the status quo.  They create a safe place for others like myself who often feel out of place.

Nai Palm is the lead songstress for one of my favorite Bands, Haitus Kaiyote.  She is a master wordsmith and as a songwriter myself,  i'm consistently in amazed by her ability to string words together. the words coupled with the music make for an awe-inspiring combination.  She is singular in her style of dress, tattoos and adornments. but past all that, the thing that is incredibly special to me about Nai is her strong but gentle spirit. 

I identify with Nai a lot because it seems that as you come into your own as a magical woman, people treat you differently. once you display your inside on the outside, people tend to gravitate towards you.  they mistake your outward appearance as attention seeking and all knowing.  They expect for you to be this magical being all the time not realizing that strips you of your human qualities and doesn't create a space for you to be nurtured.  Healers need love too.  Nai reminds me to be sensitive and provide love and inspiration to others because that's what i was created to do.  but to also nurture myself. be gentle with yourself. and create spaces for others to care for you too. 

Nai's debut album Needle Paw is available on all streaming platforms. a vinyl edition of the album is available on Palm's official website.  A few of my favorite Nai things are linked down below.

Amy Winehouse

2007.  my junior year of high school. I was watching the VMA's and there was this tiny, seemingly fragile lady with lots of hair on the screen. She opened her mouth to sing and i remember being stuck by the uniqueness of her voice, and the honesty and authenticity of her lyrics.  I remember running to get my laptop to search for more of her music. I've listened to her everyday since.

I’ve linked one of my favorite interviews and live performances from Amy below. Hope you enjoy. 

Alice Coltrane Turiyasangitananda

Alice Coltrane's story is enveloped within and sometimes lies in the shadows of her husband's iconic legacy.  Nevertheless, I, like many others, have been enamored with Alice since learning of her existence.  In high school, i began my love affair with jazz music and with that came my adoration for John Coltrane. In studying his artistry, i began to understand the tremendous effect love had on his life.  In came Alice.   

Her story is one of great loss but even greater gain.  She literally lost everything, including herself, then reemerged anew. She went on to create a new world and invited us all in.  Alice was a holy woman and a woman of great strength and perseverance.  She teaches us to use our pain and confusion for good.  To fight through our brokenness by channeling our greater selves.  She was truly a force and a spirit that reaches through time and space. take a few minutes and dive deep into the labyrinth of Alice Coltrane by watching the short film below. I’ve also linked my favorite record from Alice:  "Turiya And Ramakrishna."  hope you enjoy!

Erykah Badu

I could gush on and on about Erykah. She's my musical mom. she's birthed the genre of music i call home and the women i see as sisters. sisters who all look alike and are into the same shit: incense, crystals & nature.  I wrote my first poem to her music.  she has soundtracked some of my most memorable times with my family. she resonates in a way few artists do, and makes me feel like a place for me exists. 

A few years ago, I worked with friend and incredible artist Ashley Johnson to put together videos I called Artist Studies. In these videos, Ashley weaved together pieces of my artistry along side some of my favorites as an ode to and as a way to show reverence. Below is the study we created for Erykah. I hope you enjoy!

Willie "Little Beaver" Hale

I remember very vividly the first time I heard a Little Beaver record.   During my senior year of high school, Jay -Z dropped American Gangster.  Track 9,  "Party Life" felt different and was an instant favorite.  Jay's raps were characteristically smooth but I couldn't help but notice that there was something especially special about the composition the background.  I had to know what the sample was. My love affair with sample hunting lead me to his song "Get Into the Party Life."Little Beaver's magic is rooted in his ability to capture a very specific moment inside of an instrumental. "Get Into the Party Life" is one of 7 amazing songs on his album Party Down.  

down below you'll find an interview with Little Beaver where he discusses the making of his iconic record Party Down & a few of my favorite tracks from the album. 

Sly & The Family Stone

every now and again, (by every now and again i mean almost every day) i go down these rabbit holes searching for artistic inspiration.  I truly believe in one of my past lives I was the bass guitarist of a funk band. This explains the gravitational pull I have towards the 70's era and artists like Chaka Khan, Curtis Mayfield, Boosie Collins etc. 

While researching funk music, I stumbled on Sly & the Family Stone. Sly & The Family Stone were pivotal in the development of funk, soul, rock, and psychedelic music. The band was led by Sly Stone, an enigmatic multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter who is responsible for originating much of the funk sound we're familiar with today. Artists like Prince & Rick James looked to Sly for much of their inspiration.