We got to know Izzy Heltai on episode 27 of Basic Folk where he talked about his supportive family, Western Mass community and for the first time spoke in an interview about being a trans man. He's released his debut album, Father, and is kind enough to return to the podcast to give us a track by track breakdown of the record. Izzy's new album centers around songs he wrote from ages 19 - 23, where he spent a lot of time on the road, so there are plenty of road themes. The opening track is the only song to directly address his experience as a trans person. He is still trying to figure out how to talk about himself without wrapping his entire identity in being trans, but it is an important part of his writing.

Izzy is really easy to talk to and is very open about his life-long struggle with depression. His joyful personality and positive energy wouldn't make you think he would have to deal with such frequent sadness, but he talks about how writing and honestly addressing it allows him to channel it through music. I take Izzy down some weird winding theories on this record and he does really well to answer all my ridiculous questions. Enjoy the conversation and then go buy Izzy's new album!

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