in one flash, I am returned again
it's just something you can't see

* * * *

Iris is an on-again/off-again [synth-pop|synthpop]¹ band from [Austin, Texas]. They first came into being in [1993], when they were known as [Forgiving Iris]. Members at the time of the band's formation included [Reagan Jones] (all vocals, synths) and [Matt Morris] (synths and everything else). As far as synthpop goes (and the relative ease with which one can produce it), Iris took a long, long time to get off the ground. This can be blamed on America's disinterest in synthpop as a whole (it's infinitely more popular in Europe), and on the fact that the band members required [Don't quit your day job|day job]s to keep themselves financially solvent. As a result, their releases have been sporadic, and when they do release new material, it's often years after a previous release. The long production times lead to an extremely polished sound. Unlike a lot of other synthpop bands, Iris sounds crisp and clear, and doesn't rely on lead vocal effects other than various [noise reduction] filters and the occasional [reverb] or [delay]. Reagan has a lofty voice that wouldn't be out of place in a [Backstreet Boys|boy band], but he uses it to good effect and sings with an earnesty that is hard to ignore.

From the band's formation in 1993, it took them three years to produce a single song called "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nqiMIu91Fo|Annie, would I lie to you?]" The song was released as a [CD5|single] and was featured on an obscure genre compilation CD called [Electronic Fields] in [1996]. Other than a few [Goth club|club] [DJ]s and genre [afficionato]s, nobody noticed. The band, however, was undeterred, and after another three years, released their first full-length album, [Disconnect], with "Annie, would I lie to you?" as its centerpiece. With it came the current form of their name after they dropped the word "Forgiving" to become simply Iris. Released on the [A Different Drum|Different Drum] record label, it was a smash hit -- as far as American synthpop goes. "Annie" became a heavily played dancefloor staple and remained so for a couple of years (after which it seemed everyone got sick of it due to [How to get someone to stop playing that one song over and over|overexposure]). Three other songs on Disconnect were released as singles, "[Saving time]," "[Lose in wanting]" and "[Danger is the shame]," which pushed the album to its greatest success -- #8 on the [Deutsch Alternative Chart] in [Germany]. As a result of all this, the band went on a tour of the USA and Europe in 1999, which did pretty well. I saw them at the [Limelight] in [New York, New York|New York City], and they seemed quite enthusiastic to have finally "made it," with Reagan bouncing around the stage as he sang, Matt bopping to the infectious beats even as he was creating them. It was a fun show to see, something you wouldn't normally expect at music that is largely aimed at [goth]s.

After the spotlight had faded a bit, Matt left the band, leaving only Reagan. He promptly brought in [Andrew Sega], whom anyone familiar with the [demoscene] would know as [Necros], world-famous module tracker and maker of [Five Musicians|music disc]s. He's also a member of [Stromkern], as part of their live line-up. After a further three years of no new material, [Awakening], Iris's second LP, was released in [2002]. Andy's production was immediately noticeable and really tight; the sound was better than ever. The album's lead single, "[Unknown]," was a minor success and got a bit of club play, but not much else. After its release, the band disappeared from the radar again, although Andy has kept busy with his side project, [Alphaconspiracy|Alpha Conspiracy], and also as a [remix]er and a composer of video game music -- the best known of which is probably his work on [Unreal] and [Unreal Tournament].

In summary, Iris makes highly accessible synthpop, the kind of songs that could be played on the radio if only [Clear Channel|people] were more interested in beeps and beats. When they inevitably pop up from the shadows with a new album or single, it's guaranteed to be worth a listen. Die-hard fans are plentiful among lovers of synthpop, despite having a few Iris songs hammered into their heads by overeager DJs, and if you're curious about the genre but don't know where to start, this band is a highly listenable place to begin.

Discography:

Annie, Would I Lie To You? / CD single / 1999 / A Different Drum
Disconnect / album / 1999 / A Different Drum
Saving Time / MCD / 1999 / A Different Drum
Danger Is The Shame / MCD / 2000 / A Different Drum
Lose In Wanting / MCD / 2000 / A Different Drum
Reconnect / remix disc / 2000 / A Different Drum
Unknown / CD single / 2002 / A Different Drum
Awakening / album / 2002 / A Different Drum
Wrath / album / 2005 / A Different Drum
Disconnect 2.0 / album (re-release) / 2005 / A Different Drum
It Generates / CD single / 2006 / Vision Music
Hydra / remix disc + DVD / 2008 / Diffusion Records
Lands of Fire 2008 / CD single / 2008 / Vision Music
Closer To Real / MCD / 2010 / Infacted Recordings
Blacklight / CD / 2010 / Infacted Recordings
Radiant / CD / 2014 / Dependent Records
Six / CD / 2019 / Dependent Records

Footnotes:

1. Using the modern (post-1980s) definition of the [synth-pop|genre].

I've seen this band live once: ([Limelight|New York City], July 1999)

Iris (thing)