Singer/songwriter Izzy Escobar shares her thoughts on creating “what feels real and what cuts deep” in her ‘Sunny in London’ EP—an authenticity she brought with her to the Oceans Calling stage for her first festival performance this summer.
Stream: “Vendetta” – Izzy Escobar
Ocean City, Maryland. As the sun struggled to break through the clouds on the opening day of the Oceans Calling Festival 2025, it might have foreshadowed a challenging weekend ahead, especially considering the festival's history with adverse weather. The atmosphere was thick, with rain looming, putting pressure on the first artist of the weekend.
Izzy Escobar faced the challenge and met it successfully, establishing herself and her music as undeniable. As the opening act for what has become one of the East Coast's leading festivals, this was her inaugural performance before a festival audience, further intensified by the fact that she had only released three songs by that time.
“I’m past the fear. I have no fear,” she revealed during our backstage interview, describing her experience preparing for her first festival crowd. This was clearly evident, as Escobar displayed the confidence and flair of an experienced performer, combined with her own authentic humility.
Her cover of Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain” had fans singing and swaying, while other nostalgic tributes included “Jolene” and Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams.” With a rich history of nostalgic performances, Oceans Calling benefited from her selection of crowd-pleasing classics.
However, the highlight of her set was the live debut of tracks from her new EP, Sunny in London, released on October 24. This six-track collection resonates with the emotional depth typically associated with a full-length album.
The EP’s lead single “Vendetta” attracted significant attention upon its September release, and the crowd’s enthusiastic singalong demonstrated its appeal. The song is a thoughtfully crafted confrontation with betrayal, presenting a tone of deliberate emotional consequences. Lines like “Life’s a train, get on and off / I only knew you for a couple stops” beautifully encapsulate the fragility of brief connections with striking maturity.
“White Horse” combines dreamy guitar strumming with rock-infused rhythms, as airy textures transition into lively percussion. The title track, “Sunny in London,” narrates an emotional journey born from Escobar’s solo experience following a painful breakup. “Jackie O” showcases her impressive vocal range accompanied by a consistent rhythm. Throughout the track, her performance ensures that pain serves as a catalyst for creativity rather than being overpowering.
“When I’m writing these songs, I’m not thinking, oh, I’m going to have to perform these. I’m just writing what feels real and what cuts deep,” she said.
Escobar is currently on a tour supporting Sunny in London, embarking on a short pop-up tour across the US and Europe. Having recently concluded her shows in LA and NY, 2026 is set to be a remarkable year of growth for this distinct and musically cinematic young artist.
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an EP by Izzy Escobar
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Singer-songwriter Izzy Escobar shares her thoughts on crafting music that reflects "what feels authentic and resonates profoundly" on her EP 'Sunny in London'—a genuine approach she brought with her to the Oceans Calling stage for her debut festival performance this summer.