Mustard had the pleasure of speaking with Izzii Grace about their EP “Just So Unluckily Me”, mental health, the role music and social media has played in her life, and so much more. Check out the interview below!
1. Mustard learned a lot about the importance of confronting your mental health, good or bad, on your EP – Just So Unluckily Me. How has this helped you as an artist? Do you have any advice for those struggling with their mental health?
I think creating this EP has helped me in many ways as I got to deal with many aspects of my life, not totally fix or heal but vent a little haha.
But mainly as I am a very open and honest person about my emotions, mental health and body issues because I believe it’s important to be. Not everyone needs to be but if at least a few of us are, people will feel less alone with what they are going through. So hopefully, there’s something on my EP that someone will hear and be like ‘YES that’s how I feel too’. Advice wise it’s hard to say something that would benefit everyone as mental health is very personal but I think take it one day at a time, really learn how to understand your emotions and use boundaries!!!
Your headspace is your home, you spend 24/7 with yourself, so make it a safe and happier place to be because the world is better with you in it. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, I am guilty of that myself… you don’t have to do things alone, I promise!!
2. If you could have your music on any program or film, what would it be? Why?
Ooo I love this, so I think if I could have my music on any program I think currently Heartstopper would be the one!! The main reason is how important the show is, a lot of people within the LGBTQ community never really saw anything like this growing up and I would love to be a part of showing future generations that they can truly love whoever they want, love/be themselves and be actually happy with their lives! Life isn’t perfect but we deserve to be supported and happy!!
3. On “All About You” you talk about embracing the positive aspects of life. How can I, a condiment, and other humans do this?
I think for me embracing the positive sides of life means embracing the awful parts too, it’s a package deal. I’ve become very much the person that thinks when I embarrass myself or maybe make a stupid decision I try to flip it to see the other side, you can learn from everything you do. It’s just about learning about yourself, not fearing being embarrassed and taking things as they come… easier said than done and I still have moments where it’s not easy to see any positives!!
4. Do you have a favorite place to perform? What sets this place apart from others?
I don’t really have a favourite place as of yet but venues I’ve really loved has been 26 Leake Street and The Spice of Life, just because the venues were so homely and cool. Leake Street has stunning lighting and a lush atmosphere.
5. How has TikTok (and other social media platforms) helped you as an artist?
Tiktok has weirdly helped me a lot, it allowed me to become confident and not take myself too seriously!! Also the amount of friends and musicians I’ve met because of it, is crazy!! It opened up a whole new world… there are some cons to social media but I am grateful for it!!
6. Mustard wonders what role music played in the early years of your life?
When I was growing up, music played a different kind of role in my life. I used to have singing lessons when I was 9 and sang a lot for fun with friends in primary school but then when I took singing exams, it became a little more serious! From music festivals, musical theatre shows and a tonne of classical pieces. I was never really the child that put on shows for their family in their living room… think it took me awhile to come out of my shell in that way. I guess performing to basically strangers rather than people I know was always easier. BUT I did always imagine (and practiced to myself) going on Stars in their Eyes to sing 9-5 as Dolly Parton… not what you’d expect! Luckily I did become a lot more confident in college and started writing my own songs and would perform more without caring about what people thought!! Wish it didn’t take me long to get there but music has always been so important either way!!
7. Your friend surprised you and signed you up for karaoke. What song are you singing?
At this point, I’m the one signing myself up haha. It’s so hard to pick a song to sing but I will always be going for something belty and powerful such as I Have Nothing by Whitney Houston or I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor.. or maybe Paramore just to live my teenage years again. I just love belting along to absolutely powerful tracks, maybe its the show off in me haha!!!
8. If you could open for any artist, who would it be?
This is a difficult one, but I honestly would love to open for Lizzo. She is honestly so empowering and absolutely flawless. It would be an insane honour to even be in the same room as her, let alone on the same stage!!
9. What do you consider to be a successful performance? Do you have a pre-show routine?
A successful performance has two things for me… 1) I remember 90% of my words and 2) I make the audience laugh… There’s something so satisfying and serotonin inducing when the audience laughs. My pre-show routine is pretty much, turn up, mingle with the other artists/team and then urgently find some food!! I try to just relax before a gig, make’s it easier to just go on and not worry about anything that happens. I also try to not get caught up in the small stuff and just enjoy it!
10. Do you have any upcoming projects or work you would like readers to know about?
Got a lot of new songs coming your way, its still a little work in progress but expect more music, more gigs and just more chaotic Izzii Grace energy!!!
Music Shelf With Mustard 