Today we’d like to introduce you to Iress.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Iress. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
We started Iress in 2010 at a park in Covina, CA. After many late night AIM conversations, we finally picked the name Iris which was later changed to Iress.

Since then, we have played countless Los Angeles venues and have toured around the midwest and pacific northwest.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Iress has defintely been through some periods that were a challenge to navigate. We have had five drummers and a lot of shifts in how we approach the writing process.

Our advice to young female musicians would be to find your passion, hone your craft, and know your worth.

Please tell us about Iress.
We are a 4 piece band that plays what has been described as “doom-gaze” or just heavy sad music.

We have always stuck to our style of music even when it hasn’t been the most popular genre in the scene and in doing that, we have accrued a very loyal fan base here in Los Angeles.

Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well positioned for?
All of them.

We have all been waiting for it…the band that makes your heart stop and think ‘what the hell is this?’ But in a good way! The band that makes you realize that the universe has so much more in store for music, we just haven’t discovered it yet. MUSE readers, you are in luck, that band is now more alive than ever and their name is Iris.

I would like you to meet Michelle Malley 
on vocals/guitar, Alex Moreno
 on lead guitar, Michael Maldonado
 on bass guitar, and Glenn Chu on drums. They are the Nirvana to your Florence and The Machine. Your Pixies meets Smashing Pumpkins. The 90’s are back with an entire new sound and Iris is the next big thing. Their hypnotizing sound leaves the audience falling in love and lifting your spirits. The band recently played at The Glasshouse in Pomona and I got to catch up with them to hear all about their recent album, Prey, and how the epic band came into formation.

The Glasshouse’s crowd had all eyes fixated on Iris. Michelle’s voice echoes through the waves of people in the audience. Shouts for an encore ricochets from guest to guest. The energy from the room ignites an awakening.

Guitarist Alex: I can tell when people are really engaged, when they are just watching. You might look up and they seem very serious and they might not look like they are into it, but they are watching your fingers move across the strings and they are watching Michelle sing and they are just very locked in on her. They are not talking to their friends, they are not on their phones, they are not looking around, and they are just looking at what you are doing, which I think is a positive thing. So just seeing their faces and just watching everything, makes me know that they are into it.

The Glasshouse venue was a huge accomplishment for the band and a brought forth a vision for their future. Since Iris usually plays at smaller venues that only accommodate around 100 people, Iris got a taste of what a full house of 600 plus people feels like. And after hearing from them, I can tell you the feeling is beautiful.

Drummer Glenn: People seemed really welcoming especially at a show with mostly metalish bands. It was pretty cool.

It is hard to categorize Iris because their sound is so unique. Their new album Prey features an array of captivating musical lyrics that will bring you back to past remembrances. Iris explains how they draw their inspiration from their memories and the same memories that might be shared with their fans.

Guitarist Alex: We write our songs with a teenage mentality in our head. The way we felt when we were young and the way everything made us feel like shit. We are writing for everyone that feels like that. I mean, our songs are very emotional, the lyrics are. So basically everyone who feels that, we are writing for them. We are not ever writing lyrics for us, we are writing for them. And for anyone to relate to us and for anyone to hear a lyric or a song that can make them feel better about themselves because of it, that’s why we play music and that why we write songs. For someone else to feel better in that situation.

Bass Guitarist Michael: I came from a very classic rock, bluesie, even metal background. Those are all of my influences. And when I joined Iris, it kinda brought something else out of me and made me play bass very differently. It made me like the sound that we created. It is very 90’s influenced, but I think we have created something that is entirely our own.

Iris came together with Michelle and Alex’s mutual friendship. They knew they both played music, but never had played together. One day, they decided to meet for a jam sesh and a light bulb was formed.

Guitarist Alex: When me and Michelle first met up, we met up at a park with 2 acoustic guitars, never played together ever. We knew each other but we had never played music together and we just hit it off. And then after we went to Del Taco and got chicken soft tacos, we would drive around all night talking until 5 A.M. and that continued to happen for days.

Then Michael came along.

Bass Guitarist Michael: We played a show together. I was playing at the same place with another band I was in. And then we met through friends of friends. They invited me to come over and audition as a bass player for Iris, and I’ve been the bass player ever since. And I love saying that because I am very proud.

And then Glenn.

Drummer Glenn: I have been drumming for about 16 years now. A little over a year ago, I was playing with another band that played with Iris and that’s when I first heard of them. They broke up and it was through mutual friends bands that introduced me to Iris.

The formation of this extraordinary, up and coming, band is something to record in the books. Gazing into Iris’ future, I want to thank Del Taco and a long list of friends who brought them all together.

Singer Michelle: This year is the year that we are going to shine. I feel really happy. The four of us are solid. I am nervous about our next album, but excited! I love our recent hit song, Wolves. We just wrote a new song and we are excited to play it. I really like the direction we are going in. I like a heavy sound and that’s just how Wolves is. This new song is really heavy too. I think it’s a little heavier than wolves actually.

Go check them out yourself and listen to Iris’ album, Prey, available on iTunes or on the band’s website weareiris.bandcamp.com. Personally, I cannot wait for their next new album and upcoming shows.

If Shirley Manson and The Cranberries were somehow able to bless us with a musical child, it would be Iris. Los Angeles natives, and Covina locals, Michelle Malley (Vocals/ Guitar), Alex Moreno (Lead guitar), Michael Maldonado (bass guitar) and Trevor Wallace (drums), fuse alternative and grunge without falling into the line of generic. Nectar (2014), being their third album, displays the band’s haunting and dreamy approach, while branching from alternative rock roots. The album combines slower-tempos, heavy guitar distortions, and a smoky vocal execution that ranges from a powerful punch to the face, to a sweet lull.

While only being an 8 track compliation, this is enough to properly display the story behind Nectar. A two minute introduction track begins the album, and opens up this haunting and dreamy sound. Following the ominous melodic tune, Stay away, a personal favorite, is an explosive ballad. Starting with a slow tempo, then a cleverly placed paused by 2:45, allows for a dramatization and angst, riding on the emotional driven vocal approach, that are pushed intently on this track by Malley.

As the album progresses, sweeter and sour flavors are added. Kissing the habit, would be that bitter sweet tune, primarily focused on two guitars, and the emotion told by the lyrics: “never thought it’d be like this.” This is a song that values the appreciation of each guitar, that holds great value to the song.  Picking up the feeling of the album, Blame, is a confrontational track that explodes with confident vocals during the chorus. Explosive on all musical aspects, there is a rise and fall to this track, reflecting the steps of a “blame.”

Ghost slows down the rhythm of the album, but not in its approach. This is another great alternative rock song that follows the template of rising and falling. Besides the notable distorted guitar, the second guitar adds balance, allowing the song to not be so heavy, giving way to pay focus on the lyrics: “and when your ghost comes / I will be there / I can’t say goodbye.” Following the feeling of Ghost, the next track makes a smooth transition, and the definition of “haunting” would be the song, Sleep. Exasperated and an eerie guitar, backs up the hoarse and seductive voice that seems fitting to put the listener in a trance, along with subtle background vocals. The cracking in the voice, is controlled, tugging at the emotional strings, which adds so much beauty to the track.

Another personal favorite would be, Good stuff. This is an amplified definition of the essence of love, lust, desire, and all other “good stuff,” Iris style. Every member provides a piece that is distinctly heard and felt. Malley’s  capability of singing with emotion is a notable feature throughout the album. Added to the intimate lyrics, her distinct way of holding notes, and at times scratching from within, holds more value to the words being said.  “Does desire have a name? / do I want it to fade?” is the beginning of honesty. “It’s the good stuff you know, / it’s the thought of you here (with me) / it’s the good stuff you know, that drives me wild,” sums up the story in one line. Distorted guitars, deep bass, steady but punchy drums, are the final ingredients for a great standout track. Wrapping up Nectar, is Delicate. A beautiful, simple 3 minute song, once again primarily focused on a slow-tempo and saddened guitar, following distinguished harmonics due to the layering of the vocals- holding true to the nature of its title.

Nectar showcased an album that contained darker thoughts and emotions to properly display the sounds of Iris. All tracks individually could stand alone, but work well together as intended to be told by Iris through their music. In the end, the feeling of wanting more is exemplified, and these are talented musicians whom reminded me how wonderful grunge, if executed properly, could be.