With a firebrand spirit and a blues-soaked backbone, rising UK Americana-rock band Kay Iris are closing out the year with purpose. Their latest single 'The Other Side' is a rallying cry for underdogs everywhere. Gritty, heartfelt, and laced with lyrical fire, the track digs deep into themes of class struggle, self-worth, and the ongoing fight to forge your own way in a world that often feels rigged.
Formed in 2024, the band have made waves across the UK’s festival circuit, all while gaining love from BBC Introducing, Radio X, and a growing grassroots fanbase. Led by the soulful and magnetic Kay, the group blend Country, Americana, and vintage rock ‘n’ roll with a cinematic flair and emotional weight that feels both classic and urgent.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with them to find out more about their origins and what has been inspiring them most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Kay & Matt: Guitar!
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
Kay: Cat Stevens, Nick Drake, John Martyn which has come full circle now as our drummer Aiden Purdy is John Martyn’s nephew!
Matt: Rock and Prog, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, the usual suspects.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Kay: Don McClean American Pie
Matt: Aerosmith - Toys in the Attic
What is one song you wish you could have written?
Kay: Glen Campbell - Wichita Lineman
Matt: Sting - Seven Days
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Kay: Journalling what’s been going on and how I’ve been feeling leading up to a writing session really helps my openness and flow when writing. I’m a big advocate for Pat Pattison’s methods of songwriting, so I usually keep his ideas in mind too.
Matt: I’m a fan of the Jimmy Webb school of writing which is little draconian at times, but I find its focus help us zero in on ideas and themes sometimes.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourselves listening to at the moment?
Kay: Stephen Wilson Jr, Laci Kaye Booth
Matt: Jerry Reed, Steely Dan
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Kay: Tedeschi Trucks Band
Matt: The Doobie Brothers
What do you find is the most rewarding part of being a musician?
Kay: I’m constantly growing and know there’s always more to learn, it’s an amazing journey to be on. I’m a big believer in being the change you want to see and being able to communicate that with audiences is inspiring. Being able to use your platform to promote ideas and topics that need addressing is very rewarding.
Matt: Knowing that the learning process has no end and you are always building on what you know. Being a musician and honing your craft is a deeply personal and rewarding lifelong pursuit and it never gets old.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Kay: As people who cherish their privacy, having a constant social media presence can be difficult to manage. The social media aspect of things also takes away precious time from developing as musicians.
Matt: It’s easy to be judgmental and hard on yourself. As Kay mentioned, so much of the music business has absolutely nothing to do with music.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Kay: Be nice to the sound engineers.
Matt: Serve the song.
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Kay Iris' new single 'The Other Side' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.