Indra Aziz
East London DJ and producer IZCO is at the forefront of a vibrant resurgence, injecting a much-needed dose of soul back into the contemporary dance music scene. His recently unveiled debut album, "Powerscroft," is not merely a collection of tracks but a testament to the power of collaboration and community, reflecting a creative process as rich and layered as its sonic output. This release marks a significant milestone for IZCO, cementing his position as a pivotal figure in a new wave of artists dedicated to revitalizing the dancefloor with genuine emotion and intricate musicality.
The Genesis of "Powerscroft"
The journey to "Powerscroft" has been one shaped by deep-rooted influences and a steadfast commitment to artistic integrity. IZCO’s musical palate is expansive, drawing from the kinetic energy of jungle, the intricate rhythms of broken beat, the raw power of grime, and the infectious grooves of garage. This encyclopedic knowledge serves as the foundation upon which he builds his sound, prioritizing his immediate circle of friends and fellow musicians. His creative process is intrinsically linked to his personal history and memories, making every opportunity to collaborate with a contemporary or friend a valued endeavor. This ethos of upliftment and shared creative energy is not just a byproduct of his music; it is the driving force behind his artistic output.
This dedication to nurturing talent has extended beyond his solo productions. IZCO has also found a profound sense of purpose in establishing his own record label, Brighter Days. This independent venture has quickly become synonymous with supporting and championing emerging artists who navigate diverse styles and genres. Brighter Days stands as a tangible embodiment of IZCO’s core principles: unity and collective progress within the music community. The label’s consistent output of innovative sounds and its commitment to artist development underscore IZCO’s broader mission to foster a more connected and supportive musical ecosystem.
A Deep Dive into the Creative Process
In an in-depth conversation, IZCO shared his insights into the challenges and triumphs of releasing his first full-length solo album. "It’s been different, you know?" he reflected. "Obviously, over the years, I’ve done a bit of this stuff every now and then, but now the focus is on myself. It’s taken a bit of getting used to. For a bit, it felt like I had a different job. Usually, I’m producing a track for someone else, and you have that reassurance of each other. At the same time, it’s been really liberating doing all this stuff on my own." This shift in focus, while demanding, has clearly unlocked new levels of creative freedom and personal expression for the artist.
The collaborative nature of "Powerscroft" is a key element of its appeal. IZCO emphasized the organic way in which these partnerships form. "Collaborating comes natural to me," he stated. "When I was first working with people, I was just engineering and producing for local rappers in my end. It took a while for me to get confident enough to progress to start more of a solo thing. That’s been a longer process. But I just enjoy the collaboration side, and I don’t really work with people outside of my circle. I always say my favourite thing to do is to produce people’s breakthrough projects." This commitment to fostering the careers of his peers highlights his role as a community builder as much as a solo artist.
The cohesive nature of "Powerscroft" was a deliberate artistic choice. IZCO explained his vision for the album: "I was torn between doing a collection of my biggest hits and a welcome to my world thing. Maybe one day we’ll do a greatest hits completion or something but until then, I want all the albums I do to be like different worlds and experiences. I want them to be themed and each one textured. With my music, I always try to include all sorts of different genres, but I want you to know it’s my stuff. I want you to be able to tell that it’s me." This approach ensures that each album offers a unique narrative and sonic landscape, inviting listeners into distinct artistic universes crafted by IZCO.
Spotlight on "Longest Road"
One of the standout tracks on "Powerscroft" is "Longest Road," featuring PK. The genesis of this collaboration is a story deeply intertwined with IZCO’s appreciation for grime’s formative artists. "PK was one of my favourite grime rappers growing up," IZCO recalled. "I met him through Capo Lee, who’s like my big brother. I’d always listen to PK’s sets then years ago, maybe, 2019, 2020 we ended up doing two-tracks together. It was wicked. It was a dream come true for me. Then with this project I always knew I wanted PK. He’d been away for a while, and then he came fresh home. It’d literally been a long road. We’ve been through a lot, and we wanted to make some tunes. He did a little one-take, quick and then he went. He probably won’t even remember doing it. Then I got to go and work on it. And that’s how I work with a lot of these tracks." The track’s minimalist production, a hallmark of IZCO’s style, underscores the raw emotion of PK’s lyrics, creating a powerful and resonant listening experience.
The question of knowing when a track is complete is a perennial challenge for producers. IZCO approaches this with a blend of technical skill and intuitive understanding. "It’s tough because I’m a producer first, but I’m down for keeping it simple. I respect the artists. You can go and redo their vocal and, you know, try everything, remake the track 100 times, but when you listen to it, you want it to feel how it is in the room. That’s the best bit, finding the energy. It’s also an attention span thing. I’m always jumping between different projects and different songs. It’s rare that I’ll sit there all-night working on one song. I try not to produce in the nighttime anymore. It’s been a conscious change; there’s so much more to life than music." This conscious effort to maintain balance and perspective reflects a mature approach to his craft, ensuring that his creative drive remains sustainable and healthy.
The Impact of Brighter Days
The influence of Brighter Days extends beyond its role as a record label; it has significantly shaped IZCO’s approach to his time and energy. "Yeah, Brighter Days takes up a lot of my time, to be honest," he admitted. "Me and Samtheman, he’s like my right-hand guy, we’re putting a lot of our time into it, just running it independently. It’s been my calling to do that. I’ve enjoyed it and found purpose from it. I’ve seen it change people’s lives around me, so it’s a lot of work, but it’s easy when it’s rewarding." The label’s success is a testament to IZCO’s vision for a supportive and collaborative music scene, demonstrating that a commitment to community can yield tangible positive outcomes for artists and the wider culture.
Early Influences and a Legendary "Mount Rushmore"
IZCO’s journey into production began at a young age, influenced by his family and the media landscape of his youth. "I always I thought production was cool," he stated. "My dad produced in the ‘80s and a bit of the ‘90s and had some reggae tunes. There was a couple of old bits of equipment in the house that he hadn’t touched for years. I also used to watch music channels after school. You end up watching loads of shit, but then you look back, and it’s formed you as a person. You’re getting exposed to certain sounds and you’re not choosing what you’re getting exposed too either. Then in secondary school, we got a computer and I’d play on GarageBand. I was on that all the time. My friend’s dad, Darren Price, was also a producer, and he showed me Logic. That led me to producing for local rappers." This early exposure to diverse musical forms and the practical application of music-making software laid the groundwork for his multifaceted career.
When asked to name his "Mount Rushmore" of producers, IZCO focused on individuals who have had a direct and profound impact on his musical development and the broader sonic landscape he inhabits. He nominated:
- Mad Professor: Revered for his pioneering work in dub music, Lovers Rock, and his distinctive approach to sound manipulation.
- M-Beat: Celebrated for his soulful and melodic contributions to jungle music, notably his collaboration with Jamiroquai.
- IG Culture: An artist whose innovative soundscapes IZCO discovered later in his career but immediately recognized as the sonic territory he had long sought to explore.
- Wookie: A prominent garage producer known for crafting infectious hits that often sampled soul music, demonstrating a keen ear for crossover appeal.
- Wiley: A singular figure in UK urban music, recognized for his boundless creativity and his instrumental role in the genesis of grime, creating music with an uninhibited spirit.
This selection reflects a deep appreciation for innovation, soulfulness, and boundary-pushing artistry across various genres that have shaped UK music.
A Nod to Reggae and Dancehall’s Future
IZCO’s affection for dancehall and reggae music is well-documented, prompting speculation about a future album dedicated to these genres. While a full reggae album is not immediately on the horizon, his engagement with these sounds is evident. "I haven’t really released too much of my stuff in that sound," he noted. "Me and my friend JKarri did a Lovers Rock seven-inch with Nia Archives. That was really special. I’ve obviously done The Glade Dome at Glastonbury a couple of years in a row with Liam Haley as well. We all link up before and spend a couple of weeks just making dubs, just for that, so we’ve got all the tunes from that. I got to work with Bob Andy as well when he came to London. It was the last time he came to London, I believe, before he passed away. He came to my house on Powerscroft Road. My mate Mo is an Uber driver, and his daughter got in his Uber, and then he got chatting to her and they convinced him to come to my house. That was cool for me and my dad, that music’s just so pure." This anecdote highlights the serendipitous nature of creative encounters and IZCO’s deep connection to the roots of Jamaican music, a connection that continues to inform his artistic identity.
The release of "Powerscroft" marks a significant chapter in IZCO’s career, solidifying his reputation as a producer and DJ capable of crafting emotionally resonant and sonically rich music. His commitment to community, his deep understanding of musical history, and his forward-thinking approach to production suggest that this debut album is just the beginning of a promising and impactful trajectory within the global electronic music landscape. The album is currently available on Brownswood Recordings.
Words: Alex Nuttall // @alexxnuttall
Photo Credit: Melissa Gardner
