IRYS' new release, "Borderline", keeps the listener hooked from the first notes until the outro. With a more lo-fi character than in previous releases, IRYS shows a new facette that seems like a perfect match. The versatile artist keeps advancing her style with every release and doesn't fail to impress. IRYS' addictive, whispery vocals, the beautiful guitar lines, and a catchy hook make this track a true gem. IRYS about her new release: "I created 'Borderline' in my bedroom, which lately also serves as my home studio. I started with a guitar riff that was originally part of an older song that had been sitting on my hard disc forever!
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Kamil: Hey IRYS, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. How has the time gone for you since our last interview?
Hey there, and thanks so much for having me again! Time has honestly flown by, as I've been super busy preparing my new releases. I’ve also worked a lot on my production skills, so I’ve been very much in my zone.
What role does the artist have in society?
The world needs art and music to make existence more bearable! Art delivers hope, helps people feel understood, and catches them in their feelings. It has the power to turn ugly experiences into something beautiful - and the power to make beautiful experiences even better! I mean, we all have these songs that we deeply associate with important events in our life. Music, for me, is the language of the soul, and it can't lie. My songs always tell me how I REALLY feel! So there is something very genuine about music, even if you don’t directly verbalize what you're feeling.
Your latest track is 'Borderline'. Can you share with us the background of its creation and did any unusual things happen during its creation?
This one went pretty smoothly, luckily! It's not always like that, and every song requires individual treatment. I started with a guitar riff that was originally part of an older song that had been sitting on my hard disc forever! So I finally wanted to finish this song, but then I built a whole new track around that guitar riff. It just happened in the process, and I liked the new version better. My aim was to create a dark, chill, and sexy tune that is easy to listen to but, at the same time, has a deeper meaning.
What's your strongest memory of your childhood?
Some of my strongest childhood memories are located in my grandparents’ house! We often spent the holidays there when I was little. They had a huge garden with a small forest connected to it, and this old villa, built in the early 1900s. It was so idyllic and a great place for my sister and me to explore and be creative! We dressed up in my grandmother's clothes and played outside the whole day. We just felt very free there, and I guess this played a huge role in my development. Also, I very much looked up to my grandfather, who was an entrepreneur with a very big personality. I didn't know it back then, but he became one of my role models!
What's your most embarrassing moment?
Quite far up on the list is this one: When I learned producing, I finally invested in a good microphone and really looked forward to recording with it. When it arrived, I was super excited! I recorded vocals on various songs and put in quite some effort. But after listening to the recordings, I noticed it all sounded somehow so dull! I was disappointed and nearly returned the mic when I realized I had just screwed it in the wrong way – and had been using the backside of the microphone all along! The recording experience when I finally turned it around was incredible, haha! When I told my production teacher back then, had had a good laugh and said: „One day, you’ll gonna tell the story!“ So here we are!
Is the artistic life lonely? What do you do to counteract it?
For sure, it can be very lonely! I seriously underestimated this when I started my journey. Just how much time you spend in your room, creating music, making content, and planning everything around it. Also, it disconnects you a bit from the people in your life who aren't artists, as it is hard to relate to their lives, and vice versa. Luckily, I have a couple of very close people in my life who are also artists, and we exchange thoughts about our journey. So, having a partner in crime is good for the mind! It’s also important to allow yourself not to be productive all the time and do something nice, be in nature, explore the city and not think. Ironically these are also the moments when I get my best song ideas - simply by letting go and not trying.
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of music?
I am really hyper-focused on my project at the moment! But when I find the time, I love being in nature, hiking, eating good food, hanging out with good people. I also do a lot of Yoga. Basically, everything that keeps my hyperactive mind in balance.
What is your dream project?
Actually, my dream project is what I do now! I always wanted to be able to produce my songs independently and be free to create what and whenever I want! But something I wish for the future is to find a producer/beatmaker who understands my style and can help me elevate my sound further; just someone who I vibe with and who is more experienced in making beats. I'm working on finding that person!
What advice do you have for beginning artists?
Don't let anyone tell you who you should be. You're the only one defining that! Even if you're just starting out, your artistic vision counts. Be conscious about who you take feedback from! Does this person know what they're talking about? Have they accomplished what you wanna accomplish, or do they just come from an ego-based place? Also, don't wait for others to come around; make things happen yourself. Good connections are great, but you should also be able to keep going if a project fails or a collaborator jumps ship. So don't get too dependent. I had to learn those lessons the hard way! Also: Protect your mental health at all costs. And most importantly: Always trust your instincts!
What can we expect from IRYS in the near future?
My next single will drop mid of December! And there's lots more music in the making, plus I'm preparing for the first live shows. I wanted ten songs out before playing shows, so it's getting there!