Eventually, it doesn't really matter why.' Her lyrics reflect much of that journey. Upon discovering her own quantum of happiness, she allowed a sense of personal expression to reign free: ' I didn't know why I felt so much better when I was allowed to be trans. Slowly but surely, with confidence gradually increasing, Furman found it offering a new sense of self-worth. I didn't know it meant anything, but I knew it made me feel more.' When, in 2011, I first wore a dress in front of anyone else. These little milestones are markers on the path to freedom. Some are in my showbiz life and others in my personal life. I'm just an inch closer to freedom every day. Just little sideways steps with my back against the wall until I got to the door. Now I don't give a damn about that.' With a newfound love of all things sonic, Ezra began a journey of self-discovery. I felt like I had a problem with forgetting who I was around other people. I went to my room, listened to records, and realised I had my own perspective. ' From a young age, I needed to be alone to understand myself. The whole thing would just steamroll me.' It was in discovering music that a true measure of solace was found. I would lose myself in every social situation. ' I had lots of problems with my social life. Growing up in Chicago, dodging and weaving social anxieties, Furman felt adrift in a sea of adolescence. It gave me a sense of the preciousness of the time I was able to spend working.'Įzra Furman unveils February UK tour dates - tickets ' There was so little time and space I just had to build a little sanctuary, which ended up being my car where I wrote. That made me work harder to make time that was sacred for just writing.' B ut not all hope was lost a refuge for creativity, fortunately, presented itself when it was most required. I had no time anymore because we had been sending our kid to daycare, and our friend moved into our house. ' For me, it had a counterintuitive effect. Contrary to what several musicians found, Ezra became busier than ever - but frustratingly uninspired musically. 'The thing is, I know other artists where it created empty space for them to fill.' Like many, when the pandemic hit in 2020, Ezra was confronted with the conundrum of staying creative. Her conversational manner is sincerely humble, introspective, quiet, yet gracefully enchanting.

Speaking to Gigwise on a sunny London afternoon, Furman chats breezily but thoughfully. Like Lou Reed, a hero of Furman's, her no-nonsense lyricism and brash acoustic charm have resonated with many, earning her rave reviews and acclaim. Dealing with topics such as loss, love and life as an outcast, her capability of cutting to the core is notable and impressive.

Known to many as the folk-punk composer of the soundtrack for Netflix's hit show Sex Education, Ezra Furman's knack for spinning a heart-wrenching yarn is earnestly unique.

A sea of roses lyrics