By Leasia Korbel
I’m not sure any of the artists on board FiXT love Halloween quite as much as Izzy Reign. After releasing two thrilling covers, Rob Zombie’s “Living Dead Girl” on October 11th and “Spooky Scary Skeletons” on October 25th the Scream Queen herself took the time to answer some questions about her start in music and her love of all things spooky.
Can you tell us a bit about your musical background and how you got started in the industry?
I got started in music as a child actually. My mom used to play Alanis Morrissette on this tape deck karaoke machine and that’s when I started to sing. But my dad is a drummer, a pretty great one actually, so I was always surrounded by the music scene, whether I liked it or not! Haha!, However, it wasn’t until I was about 15 that I started to genuinely take interest in the ALT scene. The “ Sorry you’re not a winner” music video from Enter Shikari came out and as I was watching the video for the first time, I knew that’s what I wanted to do with my life. It blew 15 year old Izzy’s brain. Haha. Further on down the line and a few bands later, I started working with Nick Matzkows and Jon Eberhard. Which led to where I am now. Learning from them both has been a pleasure and the friends /fellow musicians I’ve come to know along the way have all been incredible, and these experiences have helped me grow exponentially.
What first drew you to horror films, and how have they influenced your music?
Honestly, I had no choice in it. I blame my parents. Haha! I started watching horror films , probably a bit too young, but they have grown to be some of my favorite movies till this day. They have for sure influenced my music by being able to simulate fear and extreme emotion through sound. If there is any genre of film that uses sound to induce emotion…. It’s horror.
Are there specific horror films or directors that have had a significant impact on your music? How?
I wouldn’t say specific films or directors per say, but genres for sure. Sometimes I’ll see certain movies, thrillers really, that make you feel such an immense emotion that it trails with you well after the movie is over, and that’s what I try and aim to do with my music.
How do you incorporate the eerie, unsettling aspects of horror with music or music videos to create a compelling piece?
For me personally, I love to keep people on the edge of their seats. Like what’s going to come next? And then BAM a jump scare! Chaotic, but also relatable. Visually confusing but also appealing, making people stuck in interest whether they want to be or not.
Do you find that certain sub-genres of horror inspire your music more than others? If so, which ones and why?
I would say it’s quite the mix to be honest. Sci-fi gore horror and Paranormal seem to be my biggest influences. I guess I connect with them better and I feel that I write from perspectives that most of those directors are also writing from.
How do you use musical techniques (like dissonance, unusual time signatures, etc.) to evoke a sense of fear or unease?
Oh man, I love this one, I absolutely love to make your heart rate rise without you even realizing it. Small intricate almost unnoticeable tempo changes to make you feel more anxious. Spatial hearing so you feel fully immersed in the song. Hearing certain sounds travel in your ears from left to right disappear and come back. Using “unfit” or “unusual” melodies to make you feel perfectly in that headspace of unease. I aim to make my songs a relatable mental nightmare that you fully feel and can relate to. I aim to make you feel, EVERYTHING, that I feel.
What are your five all-time favorite horror films and why?
1. Annihilation.
Reason being, it is visually beautiful and takes horror in such a unique unsettling direction. So many memorable scenes. Ranging from some that are at peace and relatable to jump scare and gore all the way over to psychological unease and confusion. Also has one of the most iconic “sounds” in any horror film when they introduce the alien entity at the end.
2.The Haunting.
This movie holds a weird special place in my heart. For some reason it’s been burned in my brain for the rest of eternity. From the story line, to the unsettling hidden carousel scene that induces fear but peace simultaneously. Not to mention, I can’t go anywhere where there is a cherub and not think of that movie, thinking, it’s going to turn its head and talk to me i KNOW IT! Haha. Also, KILLER cast. The movie is iconic, and still holds up today.
3.The Ring.
I know, I know, How common. BUT, what an fantastically written film. Scared the crap out of me as a kid and set the tone for eternity to feel nervous when you hear a standard house or corporate phone ring. Now that’s an impact. Visually perfect, not too much, not too little. Left you confused with the plot twist and a chase against time. Also ending it with knowing you kind of have to be a crappy person to save your life or the ones you love. Haha. I appreciated that.
4.13 Ghosts.
I loved this movie and still do for a few reasons.
One being, it was the first horror movie I watched alone and I’ll NEVER forget that. I thought the entire time the Jackal, was behind me while watching the movie.
Two is because of how they introduced so many unique characters as the feared points with such a cool twist. Each one having their own story and how it played into their purpose was also super cool intertwining with the black zodiac book. And lastly, again, The cast. Some of my favorites. Mathew Dillard is by far one of the best and played this part perfectly. They did a great job conjuring up a ton of emotions and I loved that.
5. This is incredibly tough, But I’m going to have to say for creativity and uniqueness, Event Horizon. This movie is for sure one of a kind. Ranging from the psychological thrill, to the 10/10 gore. I loved this movie. Such a unique idea, and for the time it came out, they did a great job. Another one of those movies that lives rent free in my soul.
And if I could have a 6th.
Silent hill all the way. For so many reasons. 10/10 movie. Heavily the stance in which I share with religion and irrational people. Pure chaos and a solid story. And gore wise , some of the coolest scenes ever made. The characters as well. There is not a single moment of that film that is not perfect. Honestly would be in my top 3. But this list is incredibly difficult to choose just 5. Haha
Can you talk about the inspiration for the “Sandman” music video and single?
So, visually wanted to take a few angles from some movies but first and foremost wanted to give that, 80s-90s- sci-fi horror that is set to be in the future vibe. So what they thought the future would look like. Honestly it stemmed a lot from the movie Event Horizon. Really wanted to make you feel like your brain is tweaking out a bit and also hit you with the alluring visuals, with a random punch of gore. Raising your heart rate and making you experience chaos. Also, I wanted to visually bring a TINY bit of Evil Dead in there with the creepy demonic vibes that feel like they are chasing you.
The song is heavily about fear of time running out so I wanted to induce the feeling of anxiety and fear as much as possible.
Do you ever use horror-inspired music as a way to confront or process your own fears and anxieties?
I Personally love to fully FEEL things and experience them to the max that I can.
So even though something makes me nervous or uncomfortable knowing I’m going to be terrified, I love to indulge in it and connect with what the directors were aiming to make me feel. Movies serve a major purpose, as does music. To make you connect. To feel. Sometimes to make you experience something , just to keep you more alive instead of fading into the everyday norm of life. Like taking a cold shower. I think it’s necessary for people to be able to have these things. And horror films do exactly that.
Check out Izzy Reign’s merch at the FiXT Store. O𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘳 now!
