By Holland Mowry 

IZZY-MORROW — Izzy Morrow, or IZZY, her DJ name, has been DJing for less than two years but has managed to climb her way through the Athens underground EDM scene. She’s signed with Nightshade Family Band, a local label, and has observed the scene and how it has changed since she first arrived on it. 

SEO: EDM, Athens Music, New Talent, DJ

Athens, GA – At LiveWire Athens, the Saturday night crowd begins to fill the room. Festivities for the multi-genre festival, EarthDay Everyday, have been going on all afternoon. But as day turns to night, the day’s earlier selection of alternative, rock and hip hop turns to EDM. 

Inside, the only sound is that of the overlapping conversations in the audience. Despite the wide array of people, ages, outfits and expressions, laughter and greetings seem to play on a loop. It feels as if everyone has already met; this is an environment of excitement and familiarity. 

The space is dark, other than the four LCD screen panels surrounding the DJ booth on stage. As their colorful movements illuminate the first few rows of the audience, fog begins to sprawl through the crowd.

Rainbow hues lightly outline silhouettes as pashminas, kaleidoscope sunglasses and fuzzy hats come to view. Rays of purple, blue and green lights descend upon the crowd and deep bass vibrations fill the room Instantaneously, the conversation ceases, and only one word reverberates as the DJ takes her position behind the booth: “Izzy! Izzy!” they chant.

Isabel Morrow, or IZZY, begins her set at Earth Day Everyday at LiveWire Athens.. (Photo/Holland Mowry)

Isabel Morrow, a 22-year-old Marketing major from Dunwoody, GA, didn’t know how to DJ a year and a half ago. Nonetheless, her come-up on the scene as ‘Izzy’ has been quick and today she is playing some of Athens’ biggest EDM events and pushing the local scene towards growth and good vibes.  

“It was kind of crazy because before I felt like I even had a chance to learn how to DJ, I was getting gigs,” she said.

Not only does she play these events, she plans them too. Co-founder of promoter brand Afterglo, she works to promote and throw local music events of various genres. On Valentines Day last year, they had their first event in a backyard. Local label Nightshade Family saw her play, and within a month, Morrow was one of their resident DJs. Now she plans and plays festivals like Earth Day Every Day, a 20-act, 12-hour festival presented by Afterglo, 9DK Presents and Nightshade Family. 

“My mission statement was to bring the music to the people, in whatever form that comes in. So whether it’s throwing events or promoting events or being the music. Just bringing people together through music, is like the most sublime thing,” she said, smiling. 

Morrow says her best performances are when she reaches a flow state, connecting with the music through movement and dance. Behind the booth, she spins primarily bass music, fluidly moving with the wobbles, turning up the lows with one hand and swirling around to the beat with the other. To her, “It’s just like an instant connection to absolutely everything.”  

Although the COVID-19 pandemic largely pushed Athens’ EDM scene underground, those who are part of it are determined to see it fully recover. However, with the loss of popular venue Caledonia and other venues less like to book EDM than before, it’s now harder than ever to make people outside the scene aware of its presence. Regardless, the community is still alive and breathing, and according to Morrow, it’s eagerly awaiting a “new revitalization, like a renaissance of the scene.” 

Immersing in this community and connecting with the people has been a large part of Morrow’s journey as Izzy. When talking about the relationships she’s made at local lounge and frequent EDM spot Mai Kai Kava, she said “It’s like I know they have my back and I have theirs.”

This mutual understanding extends to other DJs as well, Morrow citing her friend and fellow Nightshade resident Karezza as a huge help throughout her journey. “He’s such an amazing person in general, and I’ve definitely learned a lot from him,” she said. 

As Morrow continues to make strides on the Athens EDM scene, she hopes to see others push for positive development, too. “Athens has music and art and it’s such a beautiful culture. It’s up to us to make that happen.”