Welcome to another edition of our monthly music feature, where we highlight a local artist and upcoming shows from local acts. The beginning of spring marks all things new and refreshed, so we are focusing on a rising indie pop star who just so happens to be from the DMV.
🎙️ Spotlight: BIZZY
Self-Described Sound:
Indie Pop
Background:
Music wasn’t BIZZY’s first choice. The Bethesda native was on the Olympic track for swimming from childhood to high school. But at 17, she injured her back and couldn’t compete at the same level. In search of another path, she found her catalyst at an Ed Sheeran concert at Merriweather Pavillion.
“Before he sang ‘The A Team,’ he told the whole place this song was a ‘quiet one,’” BIZZY recalled from the concert she attended with three of her friends. “The whole place went dead silent. He starts singing, and all you can hear is his voice.”
BIZZY was moved at watching the crowd’s varying silent reaction to the song, from crying to staring in awe.
“It was so insane to me that you could touch that many people with one song, and everybody's reliving a different memory in their head. It was that moment I knew what I wanted to do. I remember coming home and being like, ‘Mom, I'm gonna be a singer.’”
Now 25, BIZZY has kept to her word. After moving to Nashville, Tennessee for school, she began to write songs for other artists before taking the chance on herself. With her first single, “Anybody” going viral on TikTok in 2022, she began to pursue her solo career under the stage name BIZZY (a nod to a childhood nickname). With a brand new music out and an upcoming national tour opening for British indie-pop star Rachel Chinouriri, BIZZY chatted with us about her journey, her connection to the DMV, and what she hopes people get from her music.
Get To Know the Artist:
Your lyrics are brutally honest and unfiltered in the best way. Are you a direct person or is your songwriting more of an outlet?
I was a people pleaser out of necessity. When growing up, songwriting was my outlet to say what I really think and be my truest self. Now, as I have become more confident, I actually am a very direct, honest person.
What do you hope listeners gain from your music?
Whether you are going through a break-up, having the worst day ever, or having the best day ever, I want to give people a soundtrack to live through their moments. It may sound cheesy, but when growing up I wished my life was narrated by music. I would think of a certain song and pretend I was in a movie or music video. I hope people can use my songs in similar ways.
Do you have a song right now that is a soundtrack to your life?
Maybe “Taste” by Sabrina Carpenter.
A lot of your songs center around the frustrations of our current dating culture. Do you have any relationship insight or advice?
Girl, we’re not doing anything wrong. I think it's this weird generation we're in. No one wants to put a label or commit. My mom's so confused by our generation. She was saying, ‘Everybody just dated in my generation. If you like each other, you date, and if you don't like each other, you break up.’ I don't know where that line of casualness came from.
Congratulations on opening for Rachel Chinouriri for her North American tour. What are you looking forward to about the tour kicking off in D.C. in May?
I’m so excited. I’m figuring out my set list and want to make it a special experience for fans that aren't necessarily there for me, but hopefully will like my music. My favorite part of being an artist is touring and seeing everything come to life. People are in the moment, enjoying your music, and hopefully turning into fans. Getting to meet them after and having a human connection is everything for me.
Any must have tour snacks or something you need to have with you?
I stay pretty healthy on tour because I get sick so easily, which sucks. I'm knocking back those vitamin C packets.
Which artists influence you the most?
Taylor Swift has always been a massive inspiration for me, how she carries herself, how she writes — everything about her. Julia Michaels has been a huge songwriting inspiration for me. I love the way she writes outside the box, yet still is pulling everybody in by being so vulnerable and honest. In high school my hyper-fixation was Kodaline. And Sabrina Carpenter has been a new obsession.
Favorite local venue to attend when growing up?
Merriweather Post Pavilion, Jiffy Lube, and 9:30 Club.
What’s your go-to place to dine in the DMV?
It’s a lot of Cava and Sweetgreen because it is easy, but when I am going out to a restaurant I love Mon Ami Gabi in Bethesda. Their steak frites are so good.
Last song you listened to?
“Delete Ya” by Djo
Next Local Show:
Follow:
Song to Check Out:
🎟️ Other Upcoming Local Shows To See
- Tasia, HASANI, Rayonté (R&B) | April 12| 8 p.m. | $20+ | The Pocket
- VOSH (Synth Metal) | April 12| 8 p.m. | $18+ | Songbyrd
- Oh He Dead (Soul Rock) | April 19 | 6 p.m. | $25 | 9:30 Club
- Dante’ Pope, Jean Francis, Wes Felton, Trinomial (Soul, Hip Hop, Rap, Alt-Jazz) | April 24 | 8 p.m. | $17+ | The Pocket
- Wes Parker, ViRG, Cal Rifkin (Indie Pop Rock) | April 26 | 8 p.m. | $15 | Pie Shop
🎵 New Local Music Mentions
Frenetic and addictive, this song will get stuck in your head in the best way. Parker jumps from calm croons during the verses to gritty wails during the chorus. The dichotomy of the composition is backed with a hypnotic melody that ties it together.
🎧 Your April Local Music Playlist
Check out this Spotify playlist we made, featuring BIZZY’s songs and inspirations, plus music by the other local bands above.
