Izy Riff was born in 2000 into a family of musicians and artists. Both her father and mother were musically active, playing in bands and performing on stage.

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Influenced by her family, Izy developed a love for rock, blues, Latin, and funk early in childhood, listening to artists such as Guns N' Roses, Aerosmith, Jimi Hendrix, and Carlos Santana. She picked up the guitar for the first time at the age of seven and hasn't put it down since.

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Through guitar lessons, she learned classical and Spanish guitar, which shaped her unique fingerpicking style.

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"I could hardly wait for my weekly guitar lessons... after every session, I would immediately unpack my guitar and practice until my fingers couldn't take it anymore."

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Izy soon abandoned the classical Spanish guitar posture and stood out at music school recitals thanks to her choice of songs. Her rendition of the Scorpions' "Wind of Change" marked a pivotal moment in her childhood.

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Izy switched to electric guitar lessons. Although several teachers tried to instruct her in specific playing techniques and music theory, she stuck to her own individual style, relying instead on her intuition and ear.

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"When I started writing songs, I would piece chords together based solely on the sound of the individual notes. People often asked me exactly what I was playing, but I couldn't give them an answer. Music theory always made me feel restricted."

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Vocal melodies soon followed the melodies she created on the guitar. Izy took vocal coaching for several years during high school, learning various singing and breathing techniques.

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Over the years, Izy Riff has continued to develop her unique guitar style and has increasingly dedicated herself to composing her own songs. Izy naturally accompanies the melodies with English lyrics, allowing her vocal voice to unfold.

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Her first stage experiences soon followed. At the age of 16, Izy landed a monthly gig at a Viennese pub—performing about 30 minutes before the evening's headline act.

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"The experience I gained there shaped my entire career path. I paid my dues and learned to hold my own. It made me strong!"

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From that point on, Izy played regular concerts in and around Vienna, and various groups and bands were formed. See the section ABOUT THE PROJECTS.

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Following the many concerts where she performed primarily original compositions, the desire to record her music grew. In 2022, Izy released her debut album, "something of the acoustic kind".

This was followed by the singles "high life - acoustic version" and "let the sun shine again" in 2023 and 2024.

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With her second album, "behind the black curtain", released in 2026, Izy Riff captures her current sound: a full band lineup, a rock style, and profound lyrical themes.

See the section ABOUT THE MUSIC.

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After completing her twelve years of schooling, Izy Riff began studying musicology at the University of Vienna, successfully graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2023.

That same month, Izy began working at a private retirement and nursing home, where she remains employed to this day.

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"Alongside music, a steady job provides a nice balance. Working with the elderly is very close to my heart—it gives me strength and inspiration, and allows me to make a contribution to our society."