Izzy Imamura released her newest single shade of green with Nick Anton producing, and she released a music video alongside the single, and last year, she released her EP On the Playground. In January, Izzy co-produced a benefit concert at 54 Below with Max Bartos, raising money for the non-profit mental health organisation Aevidum, and this November, she will be performing with the New York Songwriters Circle at The Bitter End. On screen, Izzy played Chloe in the feature film Strangers to Strangers for her first lead in a feature film, which was written and directed by Lex Burger, with Max Cattana playing Dylan, and Izzy attended the film’s premiere at the Angelika Film Center in April. Recently, Izzy graduated from TISCH School of the Arts on their Drama course, with a focus on musical theatre, and whilst a student, she played Ilse in Spring Awakening: In Concert. This year, Izzy is hoping to finish her album for a 2026 release, and is working on a comedic web series. We chatted to Izzy about her newly-released single shade of green, her EP On the Playground and playing Chloe in the feature film Strangers to Strangers.
Can you tell us about your newly-released single shade of green, and where did the inspiration come from for the lyrics?
Thank you so much for having me!
I wrote this song about two years ago while I was going through the healing process of a break up. He was my first love, and someone who, at the time, I didn’t think I would ever get over. But, of course, time passed and I eventually was able to get to a place where I didn’t remember all of the little things I used to love so much about him. Like the exact shade of green in his eyes. A colour that I thought I would never forget. The process of getting over someone you really loved is such a weird and confusing feeling, so I really wanted to encapsulate that in the song.
How long had shade of green been in the making and how much had it changed from the start to the release?
We produced the song about a year ago, and I wanted to hold onto it because I knew I really wanted to make a music video to go along with it. It’s always been one of my favourite songs that I’ve written, so I wanted to make sure that I was able to give it everything I could. I’m really happy with how people have been connecting to this song! And it was really fun making a video because of my experience in film, so being able to put my two loves into one was really artistically fulfilling!
How was it working on the track with Nick Anton and hearing the completed song for the first time?
Nick has produced all of my music so far and every single time he helps me deliver exactly what’s inside my mind. I trust him completely with all of my songs, and I feel very fortunate to be able to work with him. He’s not only a fantastic music producer, but he’s a really genuine human being as well. shade of green is definitely my favourite that we’ve produced together! I got so many chills when he sent me the final mix, I will never forget that feeling.
What was it like filming the music video for shade of green?
It was incredible! Like I said, I have a true love for film as well as music, so it was so artistically fulfilling to be able to mix my two loves into one. I also got to work with some of the same crew members that were on set for a feature film that I starred in, so it was fun to collaborate with people I was already comfortable with and loved being around! It reminded me that I really do have an awesome network of people here in New York that I love collaborating with.
Is there anything you have enjoyed most about writing and recording the single and who do you think it will appeal to?
I always try to write from the heart, and I feel like this is a really relatable feeling that isn’t talked about too often. I love writing songs that I know people are going to be able to connect to. I think it’ll appeal to anyone who has been through any sort of break up and everything that comes with that.
Last year, you released your EP On the Playground, how did you feel on release day and how was it seeing the listeners’ response?
It was so liberating to finally have those songs out! The EP itself was very much about me finding my sound as a songwriter, which makes me even more excited about my next album because I feel like I know what I want now. I am so, so grateful for all those songs because it was all such a huge learning experience for me!
Can you tell us about some of your recent live events and do you have any shows coming up?
I just played a show at Arlene‘s Grocery, and it was so fun! My next show is actually New York Songwriters Circle at The Bitter End in November so stay tuned for that!
In January, you co-produced a benefit concert at 54 Below – Songs That Saved My Life – alongside Max Bartos, which saw you raise money for the non-profit mental health organisation Aevidum, what was the concert like to produce?
Yes! It was my first time producing a show like that and I absolutely loved it! I learned so much from it and realised that it’s something I want to do more of in the future. It felt really good having a cause to put the proceeds towards. Both Max and I are big advocates for mental health awareness, so it’s been one of my most fulfilling projects I’ve done.
As an actor, you play Chloe in the feature film Strangers to Strangers – written and directed by Lex Burger, can you tell us about the film and how would you describe your character?
It was my first leading role in a feature film! I had no idea what I was getting myself into honestly, but I had so much fun doing it! Lex had written such a beautiful film, so I just felt very lucky to be a part of it. Everyone on the set was just a joy to be around, and I made a lot of friends that I still collaborate with today from that experience. I really loved playing the character Chloe because I could relate to her in a lot of ways. Relationships have always fascinated me and I think we all did a good job at showing the complexities that come with falling in and out of love.
What was Chloe like to play and how was it filming opposite Max Cattana (who played Dylan)?
Max Cattana and I became really good friends during the filming process! We both were just goofballs and trusted each other enough to really have fun with these characters. I couldn’t have asked for a better co-star. He’s living it up in Australia currently and I really love seeing everything he’s doing now.
How was it attending the premiere at the Angelika Film Center in April and what was it like having Chloe as your first leading role in a feature film?
The premiere was fun! I got to bring my best friend and she cried and laughed throughout the whole movie, so we must’ve done something right. I’m just grateful that we got to celebrate the film altogether and that people finally got to see it.
You have recently graduated from Tisch School of the Arts in Drama, with a focus on musical theatre, can you tell us about your training?
My training was… very interesting! I started college in the midst of COVID, so it was a very confusing time. I was doing ballet in a tiny dorm room over Zoom, if that gives any context to what it was like. The first two years were rough for sure, however, I loved that NYU gives students the opportunity to transfer to different studios and try different techniques. I had only known musical theatre in a performing context, so my junior year I was able to practice film acting at Stonestreet Studios. And then I was able to train in practical aesthetics at Atlantic Theater Company for my senior year. So I learned a lot of different things in college and found a love in film that I never knew I had. I still loved doing musical theatre, but yeah, it was definitely a difficult time due to the circumstances.
Whilst a student, you performed as Ilse in Spring Awakening: In Concert, how was this?
I loved playing Ilse! She has always been one of my dream roles, and I hope that I can play her once more before I’m too old! The concert was my first time singing at The Cutting Room venue, which ended up being where I had my EP release concert nearly a year and a half later. It was a full circle moment for me.
How did you get into music and acting and did you always know you wanted a career in both?
I started doing musical theatre in seventh grade and knew that I wanted to go to school for it. I didn’t find my love for songwriting until the COVID years. It was my own way of getting out everything I was feeling at the time and writing about it. And then I got lucky and met Nick, who wanted to produce my first song Anything At All. So I never really knew I wanted to have a career in music until it actually started to happen. I love doing both because they fulfill me in different ways.
What are some of your favourite music artists to listen to and films, TV and theatre shows to watch?
Joni Mitchell and Lizzy McAlpine are probably my two favourite artists that I listen to the most. I just love that style of songwriting and I think both of them do such a great job at their craft. My favourite musical would have to be Waitress. My mom and I have an emotional tie to that show ever since we saw it together when it first opened in New York, and it’s always been my dream role to play Jenna. My favourite film will always be The Parent Trap because I’m very nostalgic (if you haven’t noticed by my songs). And currently my favourite TV series is Severance! It’s soooo good, I can’t wait for Season 3.
How do you like to spend your free time?
I honestly spend my free time writing! But other than that, I really love to paint random things. I’m not the best painter in the world, but it’s very therapeutic for me to put on a record and paint a random vase or something like that. I’m also a very athletic person so I’ve been on a quest to find an ice hockey club team, since I used to play in high school. I really miss it!
What are you hoping the rest of the year brings for you and do you have any music/acting projects coming up that you can talk about?
My goal is to finish my album by the end of this year so that I can release it in the spring! I am also working on a comedic web series, so we are hoping to start the filming process by the spring as well! A lot of very exciting things are happening, and I can’t wait to share everything I have up my sleeve!
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