MIZU (f.k.a. Issei Herr) uses the vast sound-world of the cello to expose openness, vulnerability, and a sense of wonder in her intricately looped and layered compositions. On her debut album Distant Intervals, released in Spring 2023 on NNA Tapes, MIZU distills her musical memories as a classically-trained performer and weaves together bold new narratives, centered on themes of possibility, becoming, and transformation.
Upon its release, the album received critical praise and attention from platforms such as Bandcamp Daily (as Album of the Day), Stereogum, Our Culture, New Sounds, I Care If You Listen, Foxy Digitalis, and Them, and landed in the Top 10 of the Billboard Classical Crossover charts. Her performance highlights include a feature on New Sounds Soundcheck, a solo performance at the Noguchi Museum, opening for Geotic at Public Records NYC, and shows in Tokyo, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Boston.
Trained as a classical cellist at Juilliard, MIZU began her performance career as a collaborator - featuring as a solo cellist in live performances of Rachika Nayar’s Our Hands Against the Dusk, and premiering a solo cello work by Nico Muhly, amongst many other collaborations. She was also featured on the album let’s play pretend by experimental hip-hop producer and rapper Decuma, and will be featured on the upcoming album Spike Field by Maria BC (Sacred Bones Records). Issei recently completed a music residency at Pioneer Works.