Last updated: 9th March, 2012
Latest news appears first.

I WILL FOLLOW-UP

Whilst it's taken much longer than anticipated to complete the follow-up album to 'I Would Throw My Arms Around You', at last the new pieces are starting to take shape. Earlier this week, I played back all of the main contenders for the new disk (lets be old-fashoined), side-by-side, and it's really sounding like a coherent set of songs and instrumentals. Whilst there's some continuity from IWTMAAY, I'd describe the latest tracks as edgier, more musically accomplished, perhaps darker, too. I'm not revealing the title just yet, and there's still some way to go before it's finally "in the can" and available from the web shop, iTunes etc.

Thanks for your support and staying with me.

BREAKING CAMP

I'm reviewing the number of sites where you can stream the album for free. For now, this means I no longer have any music on bandcamp, though you can still listen in full at spotify and gogoyoko. Plese see the shop link for further details, links etc. Of course, I still want you to be able to check my music out, and your subsequent support by purchasing downloads - and when available, physical product -  is extremely appreciated.

GOGOYOKO IS GO!

Happy to announce my album, 'I Would Throw My Arms Around You' is available as a digital download (MP3 320kbps) from gogoyoko. Please checkout their website. They've a great ethos - being  committed to fair play, and have a growing, switched-on community of artists and listeners. They're also cool and definitely worth supporting! Incidentally, 10% of the proceeds from sales of my album goes to Médecins Sans Frontières. Click here to go to my album page.

JOE'S NEW PLACE

Self-confessed culture-junkie and damn fine musician, Joe Wiseman, a.k.a. Electro A Go-Go, has a new website, which is definitely worth checking out. It's here. 

GONE, GONE GONE....

The limited edition, CD digipack version of 'I Would throw My Arms Around You' has now SOLD OUT! Thanks to everyone who purchased a copy. Please keep checking this page for details of future releases. The digital version is available for download at the following stores:

Apple iTunes (digital - AAC format)

Visit your local iTunes store, incl. UK US FR

gogoyoko (MP3 320kbps)

CD Baby (MP3 200kbps variable bit-rate)

Stream the album in full at:

Spotify

gogoyoko

The single edit of 'newyorkcitygirl' is available exclusively at Bandcamp (various digital formats)

Thanks for supporting independent music.

RED LIGHT IS 'ON'

Work on new album is progressing well. Having shelved much of the work I'd already done, in favour of taking the music in a new direction, I'm happy with how the new songs are sounding. No point making the same album twice. Will keep you updated. On that note, I'm also considering setting a mailing list for news items, the occasional newsletter, etc. Promise not to bombard. If this sounds like something you'd be interested in subscribing to, please send an email to the address at the top of this page, and I'll move it from an idea to something on my to-do list.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

'I Would Throw my Arms Around You' became available exactly 12 months ago today (12th March). Thanks for all the support - it's meant a lot. There are still a few copies of the digipack CD album left, which you can purchase from the shop. See 'Ways To Listen...' announcement below.

STREAMTIME, BABY

'I Would Throw My Arms Around You' is now featured on Spotify, which means anyone with access to the service can listen to the full album (free-of-charge), save tracks to playlists, share them with friends etc. So, when assembling your 21st century equivalent of the C90 mixtape, don't forget to add one or two of mine. Of course, if you like what you hear, please consider buying a physical copy of the album from the shop page.

Go straight to album page on Spotify.

iTUNES A GO-GO

Happy to announce my album's now available on iTunes. Pease visit you local country's Apple iTunes store and look-up 'John Izzard'. Ratings, reviews and comments would be most helpful. (And downloads, of course!)

IT'S A GENERATION THING

Originally intended for the album, I Would Throw My Arms Around You, the piano-based, textured, ambient-with-vocals piece, She Became A Generation, is now available to purchase from my bandcamp store.




BANDCAMPING



My music's now available at bandcamp. One feature I espcially like is that bandcamp allows the listener to preview the entire album in full (i.e. non-compressed) stereo before (hopefully) deciding to purchase. What's more, if you buy the CD album, you get to immediately download a digital version, including the option of 24 bit FLAC format!
(You can still purchase directly from my shop link, here on johnizzard.com.)
 

SEVEN FLOORS UP

I'm currently recording a new album with a working title of Seven Floors Up and aiming for a spring release. It's going to be a busy winter, though I'm already enjoying trying to make a better album than the last one.

NEW REVIEW IN

Stephen Weis who lives in in Missouri, USA, has written this concise, yet generously worded, review of my latest album. You can read his comments over on the shop page. Stephen's an extremely talented illustrator and designer. Samples of his work can be found at www.stephenweis.com

TUNE IN, TURN ON, SHELL OUT

KAOS Community Radio, based in Olympia, Washington State (USA) have been great supporters of my music - i.e. courtesy of presenter Richard Sinclair who hosts the weekly show, Dancing in Circles. This week (commencing 18th October) sees the launch of the station's bi-yearly membership drive.

Please pop over to their website to take a look, a listen and also pledge some financial support, if you can.

DOWNLOAD, BABY!

My album, 'I Would Throw My Arms Around You is now available to download via CD Baby. You'll find it here. Also, expect it to be available on iTunes, Amazon etc. in the very near future. The CD version is available from this website, in the shop.

RE-VAMP INTO STYLE



Finally have my new, re-vamped website online. So a fresh welcome! Before opting for the current look, I went through quite a few design ideas, including a funky 70s-styled theme and a panoramic beach-meets-sky scene. One of the more fun try-outs featured some retro-influenced typography, borrowed straight from painter, film director and photographer, William Klein (see above). As much as I quite liked it, where Klein got it absolutely right for his book New York 1954-55, my take just looked kinda kooky, as if you were expecting to see "starring Peter Sellers and Natalie Wood" somewhere near the top, which in any other context would have been worth seeing.


LE BLOGGING



French artists' and writers' blog, 'Les Z'Ateliers de la Tête de Bois' have featured a short write-up about my music-making activities and life in France.


CROSSES ON THE CONTACT SHEET




I've now started sending out promo-only copies of the single Neworkcitygirl to radio stations, music-related blogs and other industry contacts. I've used a new kind of vinyl-look CD for these, which I personally think look great. (Though I'm glad to use them now, because invariably, in 6 months time any "wow factor" will be used-up.) I'll report back here on any reaction. From feedback I've received from listeners, it's definitely one of the favourite songs on I Would Throw My Arms Around You.


GOTTA GET A MESSSAGE TO YOU

I now have a new 'facebook' page. Please pop over and make yourself known. Be noisy.

TEMPORARY CD PRICE REDUCTION

To celebrate my website re-launch, until 31st October you can buy my current album, I Would Throw My Arms Around You, for just €9.99 (plus €2,50 p+p). That's a handcrafted digipack CD album for the price of a download. What's more, the shipping charge not only covers anywhere in the world, but also stays the same for any quantity ordered, so why not buy a few for gifts? Plus, I could use a haircut.