A LOCAL teenage singer has launched her debut album at the Pilot in Bowerhill.
Izzy Felstead performed all the tracks from her debut album at The Pilot, on Wednesday 19th November.
She was the headline event at the monthly Music Night, and the usual open mic slot. The local launch is the culmination of a year’s work with Beanacre-based producer Mel Austin, who works with many local teenagers and organises the Pilot Music Nights for them to be able to perform publicly.
Recent success has seen Izzy reach the final of the national TeenStar competition and perform at The NEC, Birmingham; win recording time at River Studios in Southampton, where several of the album’s cover tracks were recorded; perform at Melksham’s Party In The Par and appear at The Westfield Centre in London as the best vocalist in a national songwriting competition.
Beanacre music producer Mel Austin said, “When I was approached to work with Izzy, our main objective was to record an album of covers and originals, which could be used as evidence of her musical talent.
“The TeenStar success has been very welcome, but has been a bit of a distraction.”
Although Izzy attends the same school (Sheldon School, Chippenham) as the very successful Gabrielle Aplin, her closest inspiration is Courtney Buchanan, now in the sixth form at Melksham Oak School. Courtney went through exactly the same process a year earlier, producing a debut album at the age of 14 and performing in the 2013 TeenStar final at The O2 Arena, London
Izzy said, “I love her album and she encouraged me to enter TeenStar, helped me, and came to several of the rounds with her family.”
Izzy plays piano (and a little guitar and ukelele) and writes most of her original material, with Mel concentrating on arrangements and recording. Her most recent composition ‘Monster’ was written using GarageBand software on her mum’s i-Pad for the first time.
If you would like to order Izzy’s album contact Mel Austin on 01225 705866 or email melaustin100@gmail.com.
