Asbury Park hums with music year-round, and the electricity of the holiday season is no exception. This season, the Wonder Bar will host its annual What A Wonderful Year festival on Saturday, December 27, and Sunday, December 28, showcasing artists both established and up-and-coming.
Among Sunday’s performers is Izzy Miz, returning to the event with a fresh setlist featuring newly released tracks from their debut EP, False Deities. I had the chance to speak with Izzy about their upcoming performance and debut project, as well as the inspirations behind their music and love for the Garden State.
How does it feel coming back to Jersey to perform at What A Wonderful Year since you grew up here?
I actually live in Jersey still; I had been in LA for a little while. But yeah, I’m really excited. I had played at this festival in 2023, and I am really excited to be back. I am going to be playing with a full-ish band. Last time I performed, I played solo, so I am excited for that.
Has New Jersey or the Jersey Shore shaped your sound at all?
It totally has. I grew up in Ocean County by the shore, and I went to a performing arts high school, so I have been doing music for a while. I grew up in the music scene in Asbury Park, Toms River, and Belmar, just performing at coffee shops around there since I was like 14. I definitely have been influenced by the live music scene.
So, in addition to the full band, what can fans expect at this performance?
I will be playing my new EP False Deities, which I just released on October 18. I will be performing that as well as some other songs.
How has the reception been since you released your EP?
I have been so grateful. It is my first cohesive project. I have released singles, but never an EP or an album, so it just feels amazing to have that body of work just out in the atmosphere. People have been really receptive. I had an EP release show on October 18 in Asbury Park, and that was amazing; a lot of people came out. I felt so much like a superstar. I am just so grateful for all the love and support I received.
Do you have any favorite tracks from that EP? Maybe any tracks that you feel perfectly define what you are trying to go after with your career?
Not really that, because this EP is pretty depressing, but my favorite song is definitely “RUN, MY LOVE.” It’s one of my favorite songs I have written, and I am really proud of it. I did the production, the drums are me banging on my desk; it’s really raw and rugged. I’d recommend listening to that; that is my favorite.
What inspired you to write for this EP?
The EP is based on my experience with alcoholism and escapism. I have been sober for six and a half years now, but this EP reflects back to when I was not sober and living this really fast and chaotic life. I think the EP reflects a lot of pain, but in this sort of catchy way. It sort of resonates with anyone who has ever given themselves over to a false deity. Whether it be getting lost in a person, or drugs or alcohol, or sex, or whatever else.
Would you say this EP was healing for you to make?
Yes, totally. I am really excited to have it out and now see what comes out of me musically because I feel like my music is inspired by the phases of my life, and that chapter is closed, so to speak. I’m curious what will be next. I need some more traumatic experiences to happen to write about them.
How do you like to perform these songs live?
I’m a pretty authentic performer. I typically lay guitar when I perform, so I don’t move around as much, but I won’t be playing guitar at What A Wonderful Year, probably. But yeah, definitely a classic singer-songwriter performer with the guitar. Vocals are really important to me in my lyrics when I perform music, so it is really important to me that the vocals are the focus. I also like to talk a bit about the songs and share my experience. That is just the most authentic to who I am.
Do you have any upcoming stuff people can look forward to?
Probably for 2026, I am looking to release a few singles and then definitely want to do an album. I will definitely be spending a lot of time in 2026 writing, so I am looking forward to that.
So, for one last question, why should people come visit your set?
Come see my set because it is going to be so fun. I am going to be performing alongside some amazing musicians. My friend Vin will be on vocal harmonies and the cajon, my friend Timmy on bass, and my friend James on electric guitar. They are such a talented bunch. I don’t think you will regret it. The EP resonates with everyone, so definitely come by and stay because there will be so many amazing artists throughout the whole night.
