Izzy Rebel Connects About His Powerful New Single "Dancing Through My Tears" and the Raw Emotion Behind It
- STAFF
- Oct 30
- 14 min read
By: Staff
"Dancing Through My Tears” is an electrifying debut, blending raw vulnerability with infectious energy.
Izzy Rebel’s debut single “Dancing Through My Tears” has arrived, and it’s not what you’d expect. A collision of raw vulnerability and infectious energy, the track instantly captivates with its magnetic blend of upbeat pop and haunting, soul-searching themes. But there’s more to this song than meets the ear. With a voice that resonates like a storm brewing and lyrics that touch on some of the most personal and complex aspects of the human experience, Izzy Rebel is already proving to be an artist who isn’t afraid to bare it all.
We spoke with Izzy to dive into the heart of “Dancing Through My Tears” and discover what’s behind the power of his debut release. This isn’t just another pop song, it’s an exploration of the cyclical nature of self-destructive habits, a conversation on mental health, and a plea for both release and redemption. But despite the heavier themes, there’s an undeniable undercurrent of hope, drawing the listener in with a sense of emotional connection that lingers long after the final note.
As an independent artist, Izzy Rebel has made it clear that his path is one of total creative control, building something truly authentic. From the creative decisions behind the song’s vibrant yet melancholic vibe to the intimate stories that fuel his voice, this debut marks just the beginning of his journey. We get to hear firsthand about the studio collaborations that defined the sound, the way music has shaped his life since childhood, and how he protects his vulnerability while sharing his deepest emotions.
Want to know how a single song can both break and heal? Dive into our conversation with Izzy Rebel and discover the layers behind "Dancing Through My Tears."
Here’s how it went:
Begin Interview:
Hello, IZZY REBEL, we’re thrilled to have you here for this interview! We've had an amazing time exploring your music and diving into your creative journey. Now, we’re even more intrigued to get a deeper look into both your brand and your personal and professional inspirations.
Q. "Dancing Through My Tears" feels like a powerful emotional journey. Can you share what the heart of the song means to you personally and what you hope it conveys to listeners?
A. The heart of Dancing Through My Tears comes from my lived experience with mental health struggles. I’ve weathered some heavy things in my life - I grew up in a pretty broken family, and my dad wasn’t really a good person. He came from a very damaged background himself, and while I can now feel compassion for that, seeing your world collapse as a child leaves echoes that stay with you. By my teens, I was carrying all these sticky traumatic memories that clung like fog. So I searched for escape, ways to numb, and fell into some pretty self-destructive habits.
I wouldn’t change any of it though. Those experiences shaped me, helped me to grow, and somehow, out of all that heaviness, Dancing Through My Tears was born. It started as a personal outlet - a way to process what I’d lived through. Writing it helped me make sense of the pain and, somehow, find beauty in it. Turning more than a decade of something unbearably hard into something good and even joyful. That’s why I love music. I can say with certainty I wouldn’t be here answering these questions if it weren’t for it.
I’d say I just hope listeners get out of it whatever it is they need from it. If someone hears it and feels seen, or a little less isolated in their own struggle, then the song has done more than I could have asked for.
Q. The title "Dancing Through My Tears" is so evocative. What made you choose this specific image to capture the essence of the song?
A. I was actually just sitting at the piano when the phrase came to me. It was one of those cool moments where a line drops in and immediately rings true. I held onto it because it summed up exactly how I was living at the time. There was this striking contrast - I was carrying a lot of pain, but at the same time, I was determined to keep moving through it. That’s kind of what I aim to do with my writing, even if it’s subconscious: to take the ugly or hard parts of life and turn them into something beautiful, something softer. The pain then somehow looses its grip in the process for me.
So, the image of dancing through your tears is really about accepting that sometimes, all you can do is move through the pain - you can’t stop it or change it. As the old saying goes: the only way out is through.
Q. Your music carries both rawness and hope. When you wrote "Dancing Through My Tears," what kind of emotional release were you seeking—not just for yourself, but for the listener too?
A. I think it comes from this place of duality - a theme that really runs through the whole song. It’s about feeling these dense, debilitating emotions, but still finding a way to move through them. Life rarely lets you feel just one thing; it’s always a co‑conspiracy of emotions, at least for me. Life is full of coexisting, often contradictory feelings - it’s just being human. Very little is truly black and white, even when we try to convince ourselves it is, and I’ve been noticing that more and more as I get older.
So, in essence, the song is about embracing the complexity of feeling everything at once - the light and the dark, the ache and the release - and I hope it reminds listeners that even in our messiest moments, there’s still something worth dancing for.
Q. The upbeat vibe of the track is such an interesting contrast to its heavier themes. Was this juxtaposition intentional, or did it evolve during the production process?
A. Honestly, it wasn’t planned, I didn’t set out with that idea or intention - that’s just how the song wanted to be. I write pretty intuitively I’d say. That said, after writing it out I did love the contrast: an upbeat, bopping track that, if you really listen, is actually pretty melancholic. Things that shouldn’t go together, but somehow do.
MARINA’s Electra Heart has always stuck with me for that reason, especially “Teen Idle” and “Living Dead”. So many of the songs on that album balance bright, catchy pop melodies with darker, heavier themes which really resonated with me. I can see now how that push-and-pull theme on the album definitely influenced my choice to keep this track’s distinct upbeat-but-downer kind of energy.
Q. Vulnerability and authenticity seem to be central to your artistry. How do you balance being open with your emotions in your music while also protecting your personal space?
A. Yes, they definitely are core themes - I’d say mostly because the majority of my songs come straight from my lived experiences and personal stories. So, to not be authentic or truthful in telling them would just feel disingenuous or wrong to me.
I’ve learnt that if something doesn’t feel real or true to me, I just can’t do it - I’ve tried, and it never really works. Whether it’s a song I’m writing or something else, that instinct for honesty always wins out. And while that comes with its drawbacks, I genuinely wouldn’t change it. In an era where “real” is becoming harder to find - especially with so much that’s artificially or AI-created - being genuinely authentic, not in some Instagram or social media–curated way, feels more important than ever. Especially in art and music, which are such deeply human things.
Getting back to the question however - I think it comes down to intention: sharing the emotion and truth of an experience without necessarily revealing every personal detail behind it. My songs are I guess how I navigate that line. They capture all facets of my life, but through a lens I control. It’s storytelling that allows me to be open and honest, while still protecting the parts of myself that I feel need to stay sacred. The music is both the outlet and the boundary.
Q. Your voice is so captivating—it has a raw, emotional depth to it. Was there a moment when you realised that your voice was more than just an instrument, but a way to truly communicate your feelings?
A. Firstly, thank you - that really means heaps to me. Thinking about the question, it’s hard to point to a single “lightbulb” moment where I realised my voice was more than just an instrument. I don’t really think about it like that when I’m creating, playing, or singing - and I don’t mean that in an arrogant or detached way. Singing just feels like the most natural, most me thing I do. The impact of it usually only hits me when someone shares how it’s affected them, and that’s when I really grasp what it’s capable of.
It’s mind-blowingly beautiful to witness. Knowing my voice can be a space for someone’s healing, comfort, or joy is beyond anything I could ever fully articulate. That’s why I am always in awe of music and its power, and why I feel endlessly grateful for its existence in my life.
Q. Debuting with such a powerful song must feel like a big leap. What has surprised you the most about releasing your first single, and how has it shaped the artist you want to become?
A. Releasing Dancing Through My Tears honestly felt like the biggest accomplishment of my life so far. But what surprised me most was the wave of relief that came with it. During the recording process, there were many moments I doubted whether I could actually pull it off - but when it was finally done, I had this overwhelming wave of, “Wow… I actually did it.” It was emotional and surreal.
I’m still trying to let myself really soak it in. We live in a time where everything moves so fast - you release something and five seconds later, everyone’s already onto the next thing. I’ve been trying to actively slow down, to really be present with what this release means to me, and not just get swept up in the fast pace of modernity. It took eight years to reach this point, and taking the time to actually deeply feel grateful and proud of that is important to me.
It’s definitely shaped the artist I want to become. This experience proved to me that even through some of the hardest setbacks and disappointments, you can still carve your own path. And If there isn’t one there - make one. That’s the kind of artist I want to be: resilient, self-made, honest, and creating from a place of truth no matter how long it takes or how hard it is to get there.
Q. You've been immersed in music from an early age. Was there a specific moment or performance that made you realise this was your true calling, beyond just something you loved?
A. I don’t think there was ever a single moment that hit me like a real epiphany. For me, music has always just been - it never felt like a choice I had to make. It was simply what I did, what I wanted, from the very beginning. Even before I could consciously admit it to myself, I feel like I always carried this quiet certainty that music was my thing or path.
Q. Collaborating with Adrian Breakspear must have been an exciting experience. Was there a particular moment in the studio where you thought, “This is exactly the sound I’ve been looking for”?
A. I had this almost euphoric realisation the moment I heard the first rough demo Adrian sent through. He’d worked off a rough demo I’d recorded years earlier, and straight away I knew he’d captured exactly what I wanted. The song walks a fine line - it’s meaning-rich and pretty emotional, but it also carries this pop-rock energy above it. It could’ve easily tipped too far either way: the production overpowering the story, or the story drowning out the fun. But Adrian nailed that balance perfectly.
I’m truly so grateful our paths crossed when they did - working with him felt serendipitous. He helped me elevate the track while still respecting my original vision. I can’t imagine the song existing any other way now - it feels fully realised, exactly as it was meant to be.
Q. The independent path is a bold one in today’s music industry. What’s been the most exhilarating, and perhaps the most challenging, aspect of taking full creative control over your music?
A. Being independent has never really been a choice for me - it’s just been the only option. I think that’s true for a lot of artists starting out, apart from the lucky few who have access to connections, resources, or financial backing - none of which I’ve ever really had. I come from a very humble background, so choice and opportunity were never things handed to me. But in a way, that makes creating music feel even more powerful - building something from nothing, pulling life and expression out of places people might think are impossible.
I’ve had countless people say, “That must be so hard,” or “How are you ever going to do that?” And sure, it’s not easy. But for me, it’s necessity. Music isn’t something I do - it’s who I am.
There are definitely challenges without a label or substantial external support, there’s no safety net. When things go wrong, they really go wrong. But that’s also the exhilarating part of it. Being independent means your work enters the world exactly as you created it - in its most purest and potent form. And there’s something extraordinary about that.
Maybe one day I’ll choose to work with a label, I’m open to whatever feels right when the time comes. But for now, independence is my path.
Q. Do you have any plans to take your music out to local stages or fully get on the road?
A. I don’t really have many live shows or gigs lined up right now - not for lack of wanting to, but because life outside of music can be a lot to juggle. Being independent means wearing a hundred hats: juggling multiple jobs, managing everything behind the scenes, and keeping all the moving parts together. I’m not saying this as a pity plea - it’s just the reality, and I think a lot of artists quietly feel the same tug, chasing the dream while managing life outside it.
Frankly, I can’t do it all as seamlessly as some might expect, or as others make it look - and I’ve learned to be okay with that. I’m more on the gentle and sensitive side as a person, so it doesn’t take much to feel overwhelmed, but I don’t see that as a weakness. Grinding yourself into the ground for glory just isn’t how I want to live or make music. I want this career more than anything, but I also want to protect my peace along the way.
That said, performing is something I always miss when I’m not doing it. Next year, I hope to carve out more space to return to it - to give more of myself through live shows. At its core, that’s what IZZY REBEL is about: freedom, connection, and honesty. No matter how unpredictable things get, I’ll always show up for that - for the art, and for the people who find something in it.
Q. Outside of music, who or what has had the greatest impact on your personal growth or your artistic perspective?
A. Simply put - my life. It’s shaped who I am, both personally and creatively. I’ve always been a creative soul, completely taken by music and art from the start. There’s this old story of me in the pram still so young I couldn’t yet speak, but I was singing to myself. Music has always felt like the most natural part of me; my voice is me.
The heart of my songwriting comes from living - from everything I’ve been through. My childhood was pretty hectic. My dad, as I’ve mentioned was troubled. He was distant and neglectful, struggled with alcohol, and had a short temper that only worsened before he left when I was sixteen. That, alongside other turbulence in the rest of my family, shaped how I see the world and express myself through music.
My relationships have shaped me too. Growing up with a fractured blueprint, I realised later that I was unconsciously chasing versions of my dad in my partners. That realisation was very confronting, even shattering, but it forced me to face my own healing. While that work continues, I’m now in a much healthier, happier place.
Being queer has also definitely influenced my perspective. Like many queer people, I’ve had to navigate hardships just to exist authentically. It’s taught me empathy and an appreciation for our shared humanity - we’re often so focused on our differences that we forget how much we have in common.
Ultimately, my life remains my biggest influence. My songs are the stories of that life turned into something that lives beyond me. And when my albums arrive, they’ll be the chapters of that story.
Q. We love the name IZZY REBEL. How did you come to choose it, and what does it represent for you as an artist?
A. The name comes from a few things, but the overarching one is my mum. She’s always been a free thinker - a visionary. Growing up in the ’70s and ’80s in a very religious environment, people like her weren’t celebrated - especially not women. She was seen as an “off-the-rails rebel” just for having her own mind, her own thoughts, and dreams. Much of my name comes from deep respect and admiration for the incredible force of nature she is. I’ve never met anyone who’s faced so much adversity and turned it into such compassion and humanity. She inspires me endlessly, both as a person and as an artist.
Throughout my life, my femininity has often been criticised. I’ve always been “too sensitive” or “too feminine” (the all-too-common criticisms for boys) for what a man is “supposed” to be. My father used to give “certificates” to mark manhood, which I found misguided. When it came to me, I very bluntly said no. I’ll decide what being a man means for myself. To me, being a good person matters far more than rigid gender expectations. Those traditional standards have never interested me. I’m fully male-identifying, but I define masculinity in the way that feels right for me.
I’m at a place where I am very comfortable expressing femininity, and I know that can unsettle people who aren’t yet at a place of self-acceptance - but I also know now that’s not my burden to carry. IZZY REBEL has become a space of total freedom for me: a place to express all parts of myself, to create, play, and be honest. It’s freedom, compassion, and rebellion all in one.
Q. If there’s one thing you want listeners to take away from "Dancing Through My Tears," what is it? How do you hope they feel or think when the song ends?
A. All I’ll ever hope for is that Dancing Through My Tears finds the people it’s meant to find - and that it meets them wherever they are, whenever they need it most.
I want it to give listeners permission to just be - to cry if they need to, to dance like a crazy person, or to simply sit quietly and let their feelings wash over them. However it lands, I just hope it offers them something - a sense of release, a moment of connection, or even just a flicker of comfort.
I make art from a place of genuine, electric love for what I do - it’s the only way I know how. If I had to hope for a feeling when it ends, my wish would be that a little of that energy transfers - that someone out there feels even a spark of what I felt when creating it.
Q. Now that your debut single is out in the world, what’s driving you for the next chapter? What new musical or emotional territory are you excited to explore next?
A. What’s really driving me right now - and honestly, what always has - is the desire to get my albums out into the world. That’s the heartbeat of it all. But being still a small name in a very big pond, I’m focused on crafting the strongest singles I can. Each one feels like a teaser, a glimpse into the bigger stories that’ll eventually unfold across the full records.
The thought of finally sharing a complete body of work with people makes me smile so hard it hurts my face. It’s that mix of nerves and pure joy - like finally inviting everyone into this vast world I’ve been quietly building for years.
Looking ahead, my sights are already set on the next single. I like keeping a bit of mystery around what’s coming, so all I’ll say is I’m really excited to see how people connect with my next little song child once it’s out in the world.
Lastly, to everyone reading - thank you. You’re not just listening, you’re part of this journey, and because of you, I get to keep making and sharing my art.
IZZY REBEL, thank you so much, we appreciate you taking the time to talk to us!
End Interview
