Diane Izzo

Diane Izzo Diane began playing and writing music in her twenties . She started recording four tracks and playing solo acoustic material at the Lunar Cabaret. Her big inspiration for really honing her craft and making music her life's focus was opening for Townes VanZandt at the Lunar. After months of solo shows Diane began to start incorporating other musicians Paul Leisen on cello and Colm O'Reilly on farfissa organ. Wanting to perform more regularly and begin recording Diane teamed up with Jim Becker on guitar added Ned Folkerth on drums and LeRoy Bach on bass. This band recorded several cassette tapes of material and played clubs like Lounge Ax. Eventually Diane got a month long residency at Schuba's and LeRoy who had played with Liz Phair and worked with Brad Wood invited Brad to see Diane. SugarFree a local independent label signed Diane based on her live shows and early cassettes and Brad agreed to produce her first record. Her album One was produced by Brad Wood and featured: Eddie Carlson,Ned Folkerth,Jim Becker & guests Fareed Haque & Oliver Steck. The album was well received and critically acclaimed. She toured and subsequently recorded a follow up record titled Monarca on the second floor of the Metro as well as Clava studios and Mayfair. Monarca featured the same core of musicians additional vocals by Leah Tschilds,musicians:Mark Messing,Glenn Kotche,Rob Cruz & Jen Paulson,Nathaniel Braddock & Jim Newberry. Monarca featured Mellotron,strings,horns. It was engineered and produced by Jeff Hammand and mixed by Brian Deck. The album was never released. Later she toured solo opening for Mercury Rev and Sparklehorse. Ned Folkerth the drummer of the band moved to Portland Diane went back to basics and played solo or as a duo with Jim Becker. She went back into the studio this time at North Branch with Jeff Hammand engineering and help from Califone's Tim Rutili,Ben Masserella, & Joe Adamik, Eric Johnson of the Fruit bats added vocals as well. This album was recorded over a year and offers a quieter dreamscape inspired by her many experiences and visits throughout the Southwest. In 2007 Diane moved to San Cristobal,New Mexico, but always remained close with her friends and musicians in Chicago and recorded 4-tracks upon her visits back. She began work on a song cycle and film project titled Black & Gold. Loosely based on her experiences in New Mexico and the search for truth and beauty through self exploration and artistic inspiration. She suffered a seizure in 2009 and was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor. She underwent surgery,radiation treatment and six months of chemotherapy. After two years she had a recurrence of the tumor she had surgery to remove the tumor,unfortunately the cancer had morphed and was affecting her spine and nervous system. It was very rare and untreatable. Diane passed away on February 25th due to complications following the surgery. Even knowing she did not have long to live her final wishes were to record and finish Black & Gold. She had a lot to share. Please enjoy the beauty and personal vision that were so important to her.

Arroyo Hondo, NM