Iris (American band)

Iris is an American synthpop[1] band, formed by Reagan Jones and Mat Morris in 1993. After the release of their first album Disconnect, Matthew Morris was replaced with Andrew Sega, who pushed the band's sound in a more experimental electronic direction. Their latest album, Six, was released in September 2019.

Iris
Reagan Jones and Andrew Sega
Background information
OriginUnited States
GenresSynth-pop, electronic rock, indietronica
Years active1993 - present
LabelsDiffusion Records
Infacted Recordings
A Different Drum
Dependent Records
Associated actsThe Alpha Conspiracy, Stromkern, Low Technicians, CTRL
Websitehttp://www.irismusic.com
MembersReagan Jones
Andrew Sega
Past membersMatthew Morris

History
Andrew Sega joined Iris in 2002

The band was initiated in 1993 as Forgiving Iris, with members Reagan Jones (vocals/keyboards), Matt Morris (keyboards/programming).[1] The two had met in college and, influenced by 1980s artists such as Erasure and Depeche Mode, began playing covers locally in Austin, Texas. In 1999 they changed their name to Iris and released their debut full-length, Disconnect, which netted them "Best Band" and "Best Album" awards at the American Synthpop Awards in 2000.[1] Its single "Annie, Would I Lie To You?" was one of the best-selling records in label A Different Drum’s history.

After several shows that followed, Reagan Jones and Matthew Morris started having arguments about their musical direction. Morris became focused on his personal life, and wasn't interested into going back to the studio for the second album. He met Andrew Sega through the original singer of CTRL Joel Willard in 2001, and told him that Jones was looking for someone new to work with.[2] Sega and Jones started working on some test tracks, the first of which would later become "Unknown". They felt that the chemistry between the two worked out so well that they started working on the new record that would become Awakening.[3] Sega added guitars and pushed the band's sound into a more experimental electronic direction. They released their second album Awakening throughout Sega's new label, Diffusion Records. Their next record, Wrath (2005) took a more aggressive approach. Its first single, "Appetite" went No. 1 on mainstream radio in Poland. A European tour followed, including festivals in Moscow and London.

In 2008, Iris released their first CD/DVD combo, Hydra. It featured 3 brand new tracks, as well as remixes from bands like Mesh, Alpinestars, Datguy, Benz & MD, plus a 40 minute "behind the scenes" tour diary DVD.

In 2010, Iris released Blacklight through Infacted Recordings. After finishing its supporting tour in the U.S., the duo parted ways due to a tour argument. There was more than a year of silence between the band members, which ended when Jones sent Sega three demo songs.[4][5] In 2014, Iris signed with Dependent Records and released Radiant through the label,[6] followed by Six in 2019.[7]

Members

Current members

Former members
  • Matthew Morris - keyboards, programming, production
  • Marc Schultz - keyboards

Additional touring members

Discography

Studio albums

Singles & EPs
  • Danger Is The Shame (1999)
  • Saving Time (1999)
  • Annie, Would I Lie To You (1999)
  • Lose In Wanting (2000)
  • Unknown (2002)
  • Hell's Coming With Me / Appetite (Remixes) (2006)
  • Closer To Real (2010)
  • Radiant Turbulence (2014) (joint EP with Seabound)

Other albums
  • Reconnect (2003) - Remix album, covering tracks from Disconnect
  • Hydra (2008) - Remix album (covering tracks from Wrath and Awakening), plus three new tracks ("New Invaders", "Stop Breaking Your Own Heart", "Nobody Wins") and a DVD with interviews, live show cuts, etc.

References
  1. Iris at Allmusic
  2. Augustini, Petrit (July 19, 2011). "Andrew "Necros" Sega Interview". Necros.gibdon.com. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
  3. "Iris - The future of synthpop is assured". Side-line.com. 16 Jan 2004. Retrieved 20 May 2014.
  4. "IRIS have just finished their new album: RADIANT, a manifest of intense electronic craftmanship". Dependent Records. August 9, 2014. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
  5. "Radiant". Dependent Records. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  6. "Dependent sign Iris: new album "Radiant" almost completed!". Peek a Boo. April 23, 2014. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
  7. "Dependent Records". Facebook.com.
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