Meet Three Rising Artists Destined For Music Gold

The music scene is saturated. This is both amazing and frustrating because it's easy to miss out on finding a new artist you might adore amidst all that noise. It feels impossible to keep up with every new thing and to know what's worth paying attention to. Listen closely, though, because the following three musicians stand out in more ways than one. They've got the range, for sure, but they've also got personalities and style that radiate their own light instead of taking from others. (You could say they shine like Burton and L.A.M.B.'s Alice Insulator Jacket, a winter fave over here at NYLON.) So stop searching for that diamond in the rough; these three girls are certified gold, and they shine bright. If you're going to keep tabs on anyone next year, it should be them.  

Sevyn Streeter

Singer-songwriter and all-around superstar Sevyn Streeter is at the top of her game. After stints in two girl groups, Streeter is gearing up to release her debut LP, Girl Disrupted, in 2017. She's got the makings of a pop star, but don't expect her to sit pretty at the top. Streeter's can't stop, won't stop attitude means never resting on her laurels. Kindly allow your world to be interrupted by the girl disrupted.

How has performing helped you find your identity?

Well, performing in front of people forces you to be vulnerable. It forces you to face your fears. If you need to be more comfortable with yourself, there’s no better way to do it than to throw yourself out onto the stage with a billion people out there watching you. It forces you to say, “Okay, this is me. This is who I am.” It’s a really great form of therapy. It forced me to see the great things in myself and love those things because I have to be comfortable with myself in order to go up there and perform and give my all to my fans.

L.A.M.B. x Burton, The Alice Insulator Jacket in Gold, $349.95, available at Burton.

How does your style inform your music and vice versa?

I don’t go to the studio unless I’m dressed in the vibe of what I think I want to create that day. It helps me get into the character I’m trying to portray. For me, music and style and clothing and wardrobe and all that stuff go literally hand in hand because it’s all creative.

What is one influence that not many people may realize you look up to?

I have so many, but I’m really just influenced by life, like real-life stories and emotions. Human stories have always been and will always be my biggest influence.

L.A.M.B. x Burton, The Alice Insulator Jacket in Gold, $349.95, available at Burton.

How did making Girl Disrupted challenge you?

In so many different ways. I felt like I was working on myself while writing the songs. Like, I was fixing things within myself. The songs, they’re lessons for people to learn because I definitely learned from them. “My Love For You” talks about this really awesome love where it’s just you and your partner and the two of you are just against the world; it’s mutual, and that’s how love should be. You shouldn’t have to beg someone to call you back. You shouldn't have to beg someone to spend time with you. It shouldn’t feel like you’re pulling teeth for certain things if someone says that they love you and that’s a lesson I learned while writing those songs. I know what I feel. All of these songs taught me and forced me to ask myself all of these questions about myself in relationships. That’s what created this album.

What songs off the album fit the following wintery situations:

Hitting the slopes?

I feel like any time you think about winter, people always think cuffing season. You want to be warm and cozy and in love—that whole vibe. I’d definitely say “My Love For You.” “Before I Do” is another one. If you need to give yourself a little energy, go with “Prolly.”

Après-ski?

I feel like by the time you get in there, you're probably sipping on some eggnog, or something a little stronger. I would have to say “Falling.” It’s with me and Ty Dolla $ign. It’s just real cool and vibey. “I Know,” too, because it’s like a little party. It has a Biggie sample in it. “Old School” is going to make you break out and play some old-school records that will get everybody in the mood.

Winding down?

I would say a song called “Peace Sign.” It’s very, very sexy. It’s a sexy little number. Also, “Everything And Me” is different than anything else on the album. It’s a little more sing-y. It’s more of a ballad. “Present Situation” is pretty mellow.

L.A.M.B. x Burton, The Alice Insulator Jacket in Gold, $349.95, available at Burton.

What about the next coming months, aside from dropping your debut, excites you?

Tour, tour, tour! I’m extremely excited. The Girl Disrupted tour is gonna be such an experience. My fans and I, we have all of the other music from my EPs, but now we have all this new music and new songs that they haven’t seen me perform, so, it’s new energy. I can’t wait to go out.

L.A.M.B. x Burton, The Alice Insulator Jacket in Gold, $349.95, available at Burton.

Izzy Bizu

The world needs Izzy Bizu. Her jazz-inflected songs are something to savor in a world coated in sugary pop. A Moment of Madness, her debut album, fills the void left by the likes of Amy Winehouse—if Winehouse only released her bright, delightful LP Frank.

How has performing helped you discover your identity?

Performing helped me discover my identity by making me; it forces you to be present and be okay with being at ease while you’re expressing yourself. It helped me express myself more as a person.

How does your style inform your music and vice versa?

The music informs the style more. If I’m feeling quite soulful, I like nice little boots and a lot of high-waisted stuff and cute tops. If I wear something, it’s got to be comfortable, so I can bounce and breathe because if I wear something too tight or too short, I don’t feel comfortable. I’ll be cute, but not too revealing.

L.A.M.B. x Burton, The Alice Insulator Jacket in Gold, $349.95, available at Burton.

Was there ever a moment in your past or that kind of convinced you that music was it... that it was what you wanted to do?

One time I was in the car with my dad and I looked out the window, and I saw the beautiful landscapes and everything, and I started singing to myself. I think that was the moment where I was like, “Oh, I really love something that’s so personal to me.” It’s something that’s with me wherever I go.” Then I did an open mic night, and that’s when I really thought I can really do this, like for real.

What does jazz do to you?

It makes me feel really calm and peaceful, which is really nice—especially with my hectic lifestyle.

L.A.M.B. x Burton, The Alice Insulator Jacket in Gold, $349.95, available at Burton.

What is one thing that influences you that someone may be surprised to hear about?

I went to a really, really academic boarding school for a bit. I was in a beautiful countryside with a lot of very academic people. The minute I could find a piano or anything, I just needed to be creative. It’s like the more contrived my surroundings are, the more I want to create something. I was influenced by homesickness.

Speaking to A Moment of Madness, how did that album challenge you?

Picking the songs for the album forced me to write about a lot of things that were really personal for me and I just had to make that decision to be open. I wanted to write about something personal. I chose to write about something personal and I was faced with the truth a lot of the time, which was cool. It was quite a nice release to do that as well.

L.A.M.B. x Burton, The Alice Insulator Jacket in Gold, $349.95, available at Burton.

What song off of the album would be perfect for a snowboarding or skiing situation?

“White Tiger.” Definitely.

What about an après-ski moment?

“I Know” is kind of a celebration.

How about a quiet time at the end of the day?

“Diamond.” Hands down.

Will you be touring throughout the start of 2017 or can we expect a new EP?

I’m on tour right now. It's so cool. We have a gig in Japan in January, which I’m really excited about.

L.A.M.B. x Burton, The Alice Insulator Jacket in Gold, $349.95, available at Burton.

Grace Sewell

What a year it's been for Grace Sewell, better known as Grace. Her 2015 cover of "You Don't Own Me" skyrocketed to heights most new artists can only dream of. (She also managed to get Quincy Jones, the song's original producer, to work with her on it. Casual.) The song would go on to be included on this year's Grammy-nominated soundtrack for Suicide Squad. All this and only one debut album under her belt, FMA. This Aussie is a wunderkind.

How has performing helped you discover, or rediscover, more of your identity?

I think it's been a really pretty important part of me discovering who I am as an artist because that moment of taking what you create in the studio and giving it a life on stage and performing it to an audience gives you a perspective on the music in a whole different way. You get to see who connects with it, who's smiling or crying or dancing or whatever the emotion that you pull out of them is. That's the most amazing moment for an artist; that's why we do what we do, I think. It's definitely helped shape what I want to talk about. I've always said, “I want to make music that moves people. I want to be a voice.” I can talk about whatever I'm going through and hopefully help other people heal, or make them happy, or affect them in some kind of way.

Would you say there's a difference between the Grace on stage and the Grace that's off stage? Or are they similar?

There's definitely a difference. I don't really think when I'm on stage. There's definitely a little sassiness that comes out. It’s pretty empowering to stand up on a stage in front of an audience. I used to get nervous, but now it's an adrenalin thing. I definitely feel confident and powerful on stage. I'm pretty shy most of the time.

L.A.M.B. x Burton, The Alice Insulator Jacket in Gold, $349.95, available at Burton.

How would you say your style informs your music and vice versa?

I like to keep things casual and simple. I think there are beauty and brilliance in simplicity. When I'm on stage, I like to feel free and comfortable, so I usually wear something I can do my thing in. My personal style is about having pieces and having a clean aesthetic, but having one thing that pops out—whether it's a dope jacket or cool shoes or whatever.

What would you say is an influence that not many people would be able to pick on by listening to your music?

My influences are all pretty much dead giveaways. My mom had incredible taste, and I was very fortunate to grow up listening to a lot of great musicians, like Sarah Vaughan and Etta James, Shirley Bassey—that definitely has influenced me and the type of artist I want to be, right down to the way I pronounce things. I really love Fleetwood Mac. Maybe that's not such an obvious one. Stevie Nicks’ lyrics really just get me. It hits a different, it's just like crazy. Stevie Nicks is incredible.

L.A.M.B. x Burton, The Alice Insulator Jacket in Gold, $349.95, available at Burton.

What song of yours fits the following wintry scenarios:

Hitting the slopes?

“You Don't Own Me." Easy.

Après-ski?

“Hope You Understand.” It's a fun upbeat record. You want to have fun when you're off the slopes, and this song is definitely good fun.

Quiet time?

Definitely “New Orleans” or “Feel Your Love.”

L.A.M.B. x Burton, The Alice Insulator Jacket in Gold, $349.95, available at Burton.

What about the next coming months excites you?

Nothing really work-wise. I am going home to Australia for the first time in three years. I'm excited to have a couple weeks to just take a breather and see my family and my friends. I’m going to reground and regroup and get ready for what’s to come.

Will that time be like a sabbatical, getting material for the new album?

Yes, yes. I need to go out and party a little bit and live a little bit. I’ll hopefully come back and have some good stories to tell.

L.A.M.B. x Burton, The Alice Insulator Jacket in Gold, $349.95, available at Burton.