Izzy Imamura is a rising star in New York’s indie pop scene, known for her talent as a songwriter and her compelling presence both on stage and on screen. Her acclaimed EP On the Playground (released in May 2024) showcases Izzy’s signature sound, shaped by her early passion for musical theatre and refined at NYU’s renowned Tisch School of the Arts, where she earned her BFA in Drama.
Her captivating singles — including Anything at All, If I Loved You, and her newest track Shade of Green (released on August 15, accompanied by an official music video) — have cemented her place as one of the most promising artists of her generation.
As an actress, Izzy starred in the feature film Strangers to Strangers and delivered a standout performance as Ilse in Spring Awakening produced by the Tisch New Theater.
Offstage, she is an active advocate for community causes, volunteering at the Bowery Mission Center in New York and co-producing the benefit concert Songs That Saved My Life at 54 Below, supporting mental health initiatives led by Aevidum.
Creative beyond music and acting, Izzy also loves painting, cooking, and playing ice hockey. With her engaging artistry and dedication to making a positive impact, Izzy Imamura is poised to leave a lasting mark on the worlds of music, film, and beyond.
Your EP On the Playground carries this beautiful mix of nostalgia and self-discovery. If you could choose one moment from your childhood that best defines who you are as an artist today, what would it be — and why?
I think a very defining moment for me as an artist was when I was 8 years old, trying out for Veruca Salt in my hometown’s community theater production of Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory. I was cast as Oompa Loompa number 3. I learned that you don’t always get what you want, and that casting is so political. Just kidding. In all seriousness, I think a real defining moment would be watching my older sister sing and wanting to follow in her footsteps. She always had a gorgeous voice since we were kids, and I absolutely loved to sing with her, even though it was mostly back up at the time. Now that we are both trying to pursue music as a career, we not only sing, but also write songs together!
You move effortlessly between music, musical theater and film. For you, what happens internally when a story “asks” to be sung, acted, or filmed? Do you have a creative compass that helps you decide?
I think that each process is very different. I’ve always been moved by music, first and foremost, which is why I grew up loving musical theater and then gradually went into songwriting. I have such a deep love for words and lyrics, which is why I love acting as well. Especially when the writing is good, it is such a unique feeling to be able to bring somebody else’s words to life. I am finding my own interpretation in telling a story that constantly changes throughout the process of learning and performing the art. It’s also why I love writing and performing my own scripts and songs. Because even though it’s my words, I’ll always find something new or some hidden meaning that I didn’t realize when I first wrote it.
Your new single Shade of Green comes with an official music video. What was the image, feeling, or memory that sparked the very first idea for this song?
I wrote the song about a true experience I had about someone I used to love. I think I wrote that song in about 10 minutes; it just flowed right out of me. It is difficult to think about people from your past that have affected you in such extreme ways, especially if that person is no longer part of your present. Moving on from someone you used to love is one of the hardest things to do, and yet, when you finally succeed in moving on, you don’t even realize until you’re once again reminded of that person. It’s a weird sort of feeling I wanted to capture in the song.
In Spring Awakening, your portrayal of Ilse was intense and unforgettable. What did this character teach you about vulnerability — both in life and in your art?
Ilse was such an incredible character to be able to play. I would absolutely love to play her again one day soon. I’ve always believed that different characters can teach you different things. Unfortunately with Ilse, her life was given to her and she didn’t have a choice in all the terrible things that happened to her, due to the time she was living in as a teenage girl in late 19th century Germany. So she reminded me that I do have a choice in the type of life that I get to live. As well as to be grateful for the life that I have, especially as a woman in this time period.
You’re deeply involved in community and mental-health initiatives like the Bowery Mission Center and the Songs That Saved My Life benefit concert. How do these experiences influence the way you write, create, and position your voice in the world?
I think it’s important for everyone to give back to their communities in some shape or form. I feel very grateful to be able to live in such an amazing city and I think that if you are able, you should give back to the community in whatever ways you can. I enjoy volunteering my time whenever I get the chance. I think it influences my writing in just learning more about my community and being around all kinds of people. There are so many untold stories out there. I find I can connect with people, whether they are also trying to make a difference, or going through a hardship, everyone has their own story going on. It helps me gain a lot of perspective.
From painting to cooking to playing ice hockey, your life offstage is full of energy and creativity. Which of these activities “rescues” you on difficult days — and how do they speak to your artistic process?
I honestly have found movement to be a huge part of my artistic process. Whether it be playing Ice Hockey with my friends, or going to take a yoga class, I find that moving my body, in any shape or form, helps fill me with energy and creativity. It is a huge part of my mental health journey as well, as I have found that moving really gets me out of my head and into my body. It grounds me, truly.
New York has become the center of your artistic life. What was the moment when you thought, “Okay, this city has really adopted me”? And how do you envision your evolution in the next few years — more music, more films, or perhaps a blend of everything?
I have a love-hate relationship with the city. It can be incredibly artistically fulfilling one moment and then terribly overwhelming the next. As much as I love the city, I definitely thrive when I am in different environments closer to nature and mountains. I hope that one day I can be in a place where I can live and travel wherever I please. I think that’s every struggling artist’s dream.
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