Today we’d like to introduce you to Eden Iris.
Hi Eden, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Auckland, New Zealand. I did a fair amount of traveling and couch-surfing when I left school. I went to places such as Austin, Texas, Jakarta, Indonesia, and Los Angeles. I took my guitar with me, so I was always writing songs and playing wherever I could (dive bars, cafes, busking on the street). I met my wife in Los Angeles and moved my life to California where I have been living for the past six years. I now work out of my home-studio where I have recorded and produced my EP, Demons (2018) my album The Fuchsia & the Grey (2021) and various singles. I’ve been fortunate enough to collaborate with some incredibly talented songwriters/producers out here who have had a big impact on my songwriting and the way I approach making music. To name a few, Alex Ellsworth, Maia Sharp, Jess Harlen, Geoff Maddock. I recently signed to Music Alternatives publishing company, and I am managed by Jeremy Hammond and signed to his label, Western Front Music (Management). I try to write and collaborate as much as I can.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have always felt very supported, so I think that has made a big difference to my pursuit in the music industry. I wouldn’t say it’s been a smooth road but I consider myself to be really lucky in that sense.
The biggest obstacle I’ve had to face has been an overuse injury in my hands from playing the guitar. This has flared up every few years and at the moment, I’m currently on a hiatus from playing – it’s been around eight months. I’m still learning how to work around this injury, and I have noticed that it has forced me to be more creative with my writing and production. As hard as it has been sometimes, I think there are definitely some blessings and lessons that I can derive from it. For one, I think it has made me have more empathy for others who are suffering.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
There is a lot that I am passionate about, but I think first and foremost, I am a songwriter. I have engineered, produced, and mixed records and directed music videos, but these are other things I learned how to do because I wanted to bring a song that I wrote to life. I also love singing/performing my songs.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
During a fair amount of lockdown, I was in chronic pain and unemployed, and I fell into a dark space. I think I attribute hiking and a new job I started working with children that helped me get out of a really dark mindset. I normally turn to the guitar for comfort so I had to discover some new things to help me move forward, which I am grateful for.
I have learned how important it is to feel like we have a purpose. This can be something small, but I think we crave something meaningful in our lives. Because denied meaning and purpose, we are lost. I’ve also learned that it is essential to keep moving. If you’re in a rut, change your space, do whatever you can do to keep going and put one foot in front of the other.
Pricing:
- 10.00 Compact Disc – The Fuchsia & the Grey (Bandcamp)
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://edeniris.bandcamp.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edenirismusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edenirismusic?fref=ts
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/edenirismusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCywhPprD2rvr_BTSH3xBHBg?view_as=subscriber
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/edeniris/tracks
Image Credits:
1. Brandi Spence 2 and 3. Jess Harlen 4. Ko Zushi
