Izzy Heltai makes music in western Massachusetts, in a town called Easthampton. He lives alone, and is not in a relationship, so he spends his time biking and making drum loops in his bedroom. "Day Plan" explores the process of moving into a one-bedroom apartment, during a global pandemic, and the isolation imposed by a looming New England winter.

With an aesthetic that combines a love of pop, analog electronic sounds, and roots music, Izzy has moved from a straight folk vibe to a more complex and varied mix of influences. "Day Plan" revolves around the sonic chemistry between acoustic guitar, piano, and live drums, creating a melodic palette of yearning and introspection that brings to mind the acoustic magic of Jackson Browne, combined with the intimate song-craft of Mick Flannery.

The child of two mathematicians, Izzy showed little interest in numbers, science, or academia—so his parents made some adjustments. Instead, his mother took him to lilac festivals, ballets, and the Newport Folk Festival. Izzy has tattoos, a pierced ear, a flawed mustache, and bleached hair. His music lifts up the human experience, and apologizes for nothing. "Day Plan" lays out the complicated self-contradiction inherent in a life inspired by art, and delivers a moment of blissful, creative escape from a world that can sometimes feel as lonely as it is prescriptive.

If you ask me to tell you why I
Don't believe in goddamn religion
All that might mean, well, I'm learning that
Deep down, I don't trust myself
So what good would a God do now?

I’m not used to monotony, to daily routines. I was mostly on the road before all of this and I love change. This song is part of coming to terms with what it means to be in one place for so long. — Izzy Heltai

Izzy is joined by Garrett Salazar on drums, Andy Cass on bass, and Micah Katz-Zeiger on everything else.

Produced by Max Shakun.

Visit Izzy Heltai on Instagram.