Formula Indie Sessions – Interview with Izzy

Izzy is a music producer, DJ and creative soul who has played festivals & parties in multiple countries in Asia & Europe, showcasing a unique sound to a diverse range of fans. While pushing the boundaries of sound, she’s always aiming to deliver a unique experience to the listeners and crowd.

In 2025 she founded ‘Mystic Escape’. A visionary platform and label that empowers artists to grow freely and authentically. Through Mystic Escape, Izzy channels her belief that music isn’t just something we hear; it’s something we become. Her vision is simple: bring people closer to themselves and each other through sound and feeling.

Whether on stage or behind the scenes, her enthusiasm and authenticity shines through, inviting listeners and creators alike to escape the ordinary and step into the mystic. As she continues to evolve and refine her artistry, she’s committed to keep creating immersive experiences that inspire and uplift.

What is your earliest memory connected to music?

I think that should be the music lessons at primary school. At least that’s my earliest active memory. I liked music, but I never paid close attention. I think unconsiously I always pushed it back a bit. I wanted to do something with music, I liked singing and dancing, but because I didn’t come from a musical family or an envirment where big artists come from I think I decided unconciously quite early for myself already that I wouldn’t be able to do something in music. So without actually knowing it I treated music as something that was just there. Made by other people in big cities and English speaking. I had no idea yet of electronic music at that time so for me music always had a singer and of course I could have thought of making Dutch music, but from a young age I never wanted to limit myself by just the Netherlands.

How did your passion for creating music begin?

When I was about 12, I first downloaded software where I could mix music. It was like a DJ software. I could just play around with two tracks, change the pitch, use effects, etc. Really building DJ sets is not something I did, mainly because I didn’t understand how it worked and I didn’t think of looking for a YouTube video, if that even already existed by that time. During that time I also got more advanced music lessons at school. I liked playing around with instruments. And I mean that literaly. Just playing around. I could do a few chord progressions on the keyboard if I practiced and with the drums I sometimes could made a 4-bar loop, but it was nothing outstanding. I just loved playing around. I wanted to do more with it, but I also didn’t know which instrument then and was also not sure if I could really set myself to properly learning an instrument, studying the notes, practicing… I just wanted to create without rules. It was school though so I had to pass exams and follow instructions, which I did, but it felt like I couldn’t develop in how I felt like it and I didn’t push through. Only 8 years later I deep dived into creating music again. Covid19 lockdown was there and I had been a raver for a few years and when I couldn’t go out to dance I danced at home. I was dating someone at the time who started Djing and producing himself not long before so I learned through him to use the DJ decks. Another friend of mine also is a DJ so I basically had two places where I could blast tunes and create DJ sets. I was enjoying it and started uploading some sets on SoundCloud and so other people started to enjoy it as well. In 2021 during a party I thought I would just bring my USB, because “you never know”. It’s what they always say and first time I did this, another DJ couldn’t come and I got asked if I brought my USB. I think the promotor and I were both as surprised, but I had my USB and an hour later I stood on stage. After that I knew for sure that I wanted to do more with music. I had been having this feeling for while that when I was Djing at home I sometimes had the idea that a certain type of track would be nice to play next, but then there was not really a track exact as what I had in my mind, so I had thought of creating music myself before, but I was limited by my own beliefs. I thought it would be too difficult, too technical and I didn’t really had any musical background. But when I left that stage and really wanted to do more with music, I felt this is the next logical step and I will just approach this as I do with everyting.. Just play around and see where it leads.

What’s the story behind your current music project?

I’m working on different projects at the moment. I don’t like working on one project because I have a lot of ideas and fitting them in one track simply not possible. I’m working a few collabs, including one with a vocalist, and am working a few solo tracks. First half a year I’ve also been live testing a lot of new music, second half of the year I’ll taking inspiration from that back into the studio.

How would you describe your sound to someone who hasnever heard your music before?

I would say it’s “trancy”, not just trance, not just techno, not just psy. It’s “trancy”, dark and emotional, yet uplifting. I always aim to not make my music sound uplifting, but to make it feel uplifting.

What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changedthe way you make music?

You can’t force creativity and creativity will always find it’s way back. When I had my first few writer blocks I was always stressed out that I didn’t push myself enough. I got upset when I didn’t open Ableton for a week and thought I was getting behind with everything. Then a week later I made 3 tracks in one week. This had to happen a few times before I realised that having a writers block doesn’t mean your creativity is gone forever. Trying to force yourself in the studio is not gonna help, being upset about it is also not gonna help, trust in that it will find it way back to you, that’s a game changer! Now when I feel like nothing good iscoming out in the studio, I leave my Ableton unopend for a week, 2 weeks, for as long as I don’t get into that flow of creating and it’s okay. Because I know that creativity comes back and will hit 10 times harder.

What tools, instruments, or software are essential in yourcreative process?

I use Ableton as my DAW and use syntheziser plugins as Diva, Serum, Spire and Sylenth.

Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?

Schrotthagen! They are a German film composer duo and they make cinematic techno. There music is really unique and good danceable. Exactly as how I like it. There reach is amazing and very inspiring since they released all there big hits as an independent artist.

How have your personal experiences influenced yourmusic and artistic vision?

I always wanted to just create what I wanted. I didn’t want to fit in certrain genre or label boxes. Labels would not sign my music, but promotors would book me and I would play my music live. It’s contradicting how I see how my music is being loved, but I couldn’t get in available on streaming platforms because labels were saying it doesn’t work. I got a few tracks signed, but some of them I never played live or maybe 1 time. I didn’t gave the same excitment as some of my other tracks. So after a while I decided to start my own label. If there’s really not a label that think my music fits with them, then I can create a place for my music itself so the the crowd is able to listen to them when and wherever they want.  I’ve been told multiple times that I should make music for the labels so I could get signed, but to be honest, those tracks I signed I don’t think they gave me that much more followers and/or gigs. I’m wondering what a difference they made at all. I’m grateful for the opportunity, don’t get me wrong, but my own label has a much success as some other established labels. Now I have full control over the whole narrative of my music and I always have a place to release my music. If the crowd loves it, there is no need to let it sit on my computer just because labels don’t see the reactions of the crowd. I still sometimes send music to other labels, but it’s their loss now if they don’t hop on on the hype.

What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?

“I build sound to make people feel seen in the dark” is what I always say. I hope my music connects, not just with the people around you, but also with the soul inside of you. If my music can make you feel connected and seen, even when alone or in the dark, my work is done. It should feel like a warm comforting blanket. A safe space.

What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far? 

That music is a language on it’s own. Just like English, Dutch, Spanish or any other language, music is a language. But a universal one. Everyone can hear music, certain types of music a just different dialects. One you resonate more with than another. You might even understand it a bit better, but the others, you know it’s the same language.  We communicate, connect and build culture with music.

What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?

Tomorrowland is a dream for sure. So many people that come together to share their love and passion for music and dancing is just really special.

If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?

There are a few actually. I love John Askew’s work and I think our styles really fit as well, but I would like to spend a day with Astrix in the studio. I think that would be fun and I could learn a lot from him. 

Where can our listeners follow and support your music?

https://linktr.ee/TrancewithIzzy

Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?

Earlier this year I had an Asia tour. I hope to have a Central/South America tour next. It will be my first one. 

What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?

That my music comes straight from the heart, always. And that the listeners keep the music alive & are part of the journey. I’m just facilitator.