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Diane Izzo’s debut album One was released in Chicago, 1999. Diane toured throughout the states in assorted venues opening for artists such as, Mercury Rev & Sparklehorse, to the legendary American songwriter, Townes Van Zandt. She has been featured on the popular program “Morning Becomes Eclectic” on KCRW, Santa Monica, CA, WBEZ, NPR Chicago, along with national college & independent radio rotation.
After many years of looking out at the Chicago urban horizon, Izzo opted for an exodus & found herself in the northern mountains of New Mexico, where light burns gold upon the open sky. From many trips out west to the natural world, sprang the inspiration behind the most recent song cycle, tentatively titled, AGE OF HONEY. Recorded and co-produced over a year back in Chicago, with multi-instrumentalist Jim Becker of Chicago’s, Paulina Hollers & currently an integral facet in Chicago’s native collective, Califone. The record also received contributions from the varied members of Califone as well as Eric Johnson, singer/songwriter of the Fruitbats. The open sounds offer a quieter dream landscape, with the CD set for upcoming release on Freefolk Records in the fall of 2007.
Press Quotes:
Rolling Stone review, Greg Kot, music critic:
“Chicago native singer & songwriter offers a promise of transcendence. Izzo sings in a dusky contralto that sometimes sounds like it arrived via Appalachia or the Middle East. Though echoes of the literate rock fringe are everywhere, Patti Smith to Bob Dylan’s dreamscapes, or Leonard Cohen’s lacerating introspection. Produced by Brad Wood, known for his earlier work with Liz Phair & Smashing Pumpkins.”
New York Times, Ann Powers, music critic:
“This Chicago based songwriter influences, Patti Smith or PJ. Harvey, this vivid debut suggests that she may be rock’s next prophetess.”
Puncture Magazine, Fred Mills, writer:
“(Izzo’s debut), One, signals an arrival that should come to be well remembered.”
(AP) Alternative Press, Clifford J. Corcoran, writer:
“Izzo’s voice is her most potent weapon.”
CMJ magazine, Steve Ciabattoni, writer:
“Chicago singer & songwriter Diane Izzo’s debut is a complex and dark little argument of a record.”
Amazon.com review: Mitch Meyers, music critic:
“Diane Izzo's debut is the complex expression of a modern woman that is both a musical and visceral experience. Recorded in Chicago under producer Brad Wood's watchful eye (he's worked with Liz Phair, among others), Izzo's dramatic compositions are alternately emotionally direct and poetically abstract. She sings in a passionate voice vaguely reminiscent of PJ Harvey and Patti Smith, but her florid songwriting is distinctly her own. Ably supported by guitarist Jim Becker, bassist Eddie Carlson, and drummer Ned Folkerth, Izzo tends to powerful topics like desperate love and painful addictions. Her particularly heady wordplay may take a few listenings to completely unravel, but the concise musical backdrop makes One an extremely compelling package. One of the year's more formidable female artists.”
Counterpunch, Executioner’s Last Songs: Bloodshot Records, Jeffery St. Clair, writer:
“Chicagoan Diane Izzo contributes a defiant version of the sinister ballad, Oh Death. Her exquisitely eroded voice reclaims the old Dock Boggs song.”
Pop Matters, Executioner’s Last Songs, Volumes 2 & 3, Bloodshot Records, Mitch Pugh writer:
“Diane Izzo's cover of (Billie Holiday’s standard), "Strange Fruit", is spare and elegiac, the contrast of burning flesh and fruit is another that takes on new meaning in the shadow of the record's mission.”
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