We recently sat down with Izzy the Gent, the prolific Bay Area indie-rock producer behind Everything But The Everything. Izzy is known for his signature bass-driven production and his knack for collaborating with unique guest vocalists. His new double-single, A&B Sides Volume 3, is out worldwide on all major streaming platforms. Enjoy!
Hey Izzy, thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. How have you been?
Izzy The Gent: I’m well, thank you. Like everyone else, I’m trying to find the time and balance in life to do all the things I want to do and need to do.
For those who might be discovering you for the first time, how would you best describe the sound and mission of your solo project, Everything But The Everything?
Izzy The Gent: Our sound is somewhere between post punk, pop punk and alternative. I guess it depends on who you ask. I like to use the term “dark alternative” since it makes it less cringy for me.
A&B Sides Volume 3 is your first release of 2025. Could you briefly walk us through the idea that sparked this particular double-single featuring “Never Said Goodbye” and “Horse Bit”?
Izzy The Gent: A & B Sides was originally intended to feature two different singers like a split 7. When I released Volume One, Adam Brookes got two songs done so it made sense to release them together. With Volume Two, I figured we would stay with that formula since Sophia was on a roll. Volume Three, I finally get what I wanted.
Your process is all about finding the right voice. What was it about Rykarda Parasol’s distinctive style that made her the perfect match for the atmosphere you created in “Never Said Goodbye”?
Izzy The Gent: I had that idea on the back burner for a while, stuck in neutral. The direction we are heading in now is different, so I wanted a different perspective. That idea is three years old but when our new guitarist Andy Lund came on board, his take popped it out of neutral and into drive.
You’ve also reunited with Sophia Prise for “Horse Bit.” What is it about your long-standing creative dynamic that keeps you two coming back together, and how does her ethereal sound complement the track?
Izzy The Gent: Once we started to do live shows, Sophia has been fronting the band along with our other vocalist Tobias Hawkins. I try to split all new material with them but they have begun writing together which will give us another new wrinkle.
You co-wrote the music with your core bandmates, Ian Dowd, Andrew Lund, and Chad Roxxit. How does the initial songwriting session with your instrumental team typically work, and how does that inform the later stages of production?
Izzy The Gent: I’ll get the ball rolling with Andy and Ian via wav files, but lately we’ve been working on new ideas at the rehearsal studio. That will give us a structure that we reevaluate when recording. It’s been really great to get input from everyone in real time.
Whether you wrote the lyrics or worked with the vocalists, what is the central emotional core or thematic idea that ties the stories of “Never Said Goodbye” and “Horse Bit” together?
Izzy The Gent: You’ll have to talk to the ladies about that. I always ask the singers where the inspiration came from. Rykarda said the song is about ghosting someone. Sophia mentioned the track being about an ending relationship and the struggle of moving on (if I remember correctly).
Both tracks carry a strong indie and new wave vibe. Are there any specific bands or key records from those genres that you feel were playing on repeat, either literally or figuratively, while you were composing this volume?
Izzy The Gent: On Rykarda’s song the build in the second part of the verse has always been my favorite, as the organ melody blazes in the background. Sophia’s track, it’s what I refer to as the “No Doubt” beat Chad lays down that really makes it groove.
Having released a few of these A&B Sides now, what is the main difference or evolution in the sound and approach of Volume 3 compared to your earlier releases?
Izzy The Gent: The approach is the same, I suppose the biggest difference is now we have an actual band as opposed to mercenary musicians who help out when they can.
Looking back at the process, writing, composing, or producing, was there a particularly challenging moment or creative hurdle you had to overcome to get these two songs finalized?
Izzy The Gent: I thought I had a good grasp of what “Never Said Goodbye” was supposed to be. I got the guitars there, but when the drums and vocals came, my suggestions were not landing. We leaned on our producer Rex Shelverton and his input. My favorite moment was asking Chad to lay into the drums in the chorus (as I apoplectically waved my hands in the air) and Rex said, “what is this Foo Fighters? No, think more along the lines of simple driving drums”. He was right.
Now that A&B Sides Volume 3 is out, what’s next for Everything But The Everything? Should fans be looking out for more collaborations or perhaps live shows with your band?
Izzy The Gent: The main focus now is our next single “Hollowed Heart” where Tobias and Sophia sing a duet like they did in the 80’s. We’ll be filming a music video and going the distance for that release!
Before we wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to say directly to the readers and listeners who are supporting your project?
Izzy The Gent: As always, thank you to everyone who gives us a listen. There’s lots of great music out there, I appreciate every play, every follower we get.
Thoughts Words Action 