IRIS AERIA

Iris Aeria joined us for special performance of her songs WESHSIDE x LATE NIGHT DRIVE. We asked her a few questions ahead of the release.

Tell me a bit about your background, where you're from etc, anything from your background that defines you as an artist or your music

I am from the south-east suburbs of Paris, I lived there until coming to London 3 years ago.

I grew up with a mixed heritage, my dad is a musician, he plays bass and I inherited his love for music, specifically jazz, bossa nova and soul. Many artists was played in the house, Herbie Hancock, Erykah Badu, Sade, Joao Gilberto... I honestly was exposed to many different genre and bathed myself in all these different sounds. My mum is also very creative and she gave me her love for fashion and drawing.

I grew up in a rough area, but where the community is strong and united. From young I already had a strong rebellious spirit and so much to say! Though I wasn't really writing music, I would write a lot of poem or just journaling my thoughts.

I'd say my childhood influenced me a lot in term of what my sound is today.

Tell us a bit about your songwriting process, do you get inspiration for your songs from lived experiences or ?

I write from experience most of the time. I am not comfortable with explaining and communicating how I feel, I tend to internalise a lot so writing always been my go to.

I also write to raise certain topics that I care about, or dreams that I have.

What is your goal as an artist? And who would be an ideal collaboration for you?

I see my art as therapeutic and experimental, and I deeply want to connect with people and their story as well, make them feel less alone or heard. I guess my ultimate goal in my music, for now, is to help people make better decision, make them feel loved.

So many artists!! But I would love to collaborate with Jhene Aiko, Erykah Badu, Cleo Sol. It doesn't even have to be a featuring, I want to see them create because their art is beautiful and meaningful.

Name me some artist you grew up listening to? Did they in any way inspire your style of artistry?

D Angelo, Floetry, Jill Scott, Amy Winhouse, Erykah Badu, Sade, Robert Glasper, Joao Gilberto, Lauryn Hill, 2Pac, Kanye West, New Edition, Donell Jones, so many...!

What are you most grateful for on this journey so far?

God honestly.

Every artist could tell you how resilient you need to be in this industry. As an independent artist I took a lot of "No", went through emotional roller coaster, demotivational seasons, but I learned so many things and God always helped me to keep my feet on the ground, wise and patient. And I am so grateful for that. I met amazing artists and producers, connected with so many people, it's been a crazy journey so far.

Iris Aeria’s Monochrome Session, Out Sunday 25th June 7PM

GBNGA

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