5 Songs I Love w/ Kay Iris

On the back of their stunning and country rock-infused Americana single 'The Other Side', rising UK outfit Kay Iris are getting better with each release, and building a solid following whilst doing so. We sat down with them to learn the 5 songs they love right now, here at FLEX!

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1. Laycee Kay Booth - Daddy's Mugshot

Kay: I love the grittiness and honesty of this song. Laycee is so good at creating and  immersive, 3D world that pulls you into her songs. I've recently discovered her and she  has fast become my favourite country singer. Her tone is sultry, soulful and her lyrics  play with serious subject matters in a poetically beautiful way. Daddy’s Mugshot pulls you  in to a dark western soundscape, with reverb drenched guitars and haunting pedal steel  motifs. There’s a gorgeous contrast between her soaring vocals and the brooding  instrumentation that gives me chills. 

2. Stephen Wilson Jr. - Year To Be Young 1994

Kay: Stephen Wilson Jr has fast become one of my favourite songwriters. We’ve seen him  twice now. He is unapologetically authentic to his roots and this translates into his lyrics.  A perfect mix of grungy instrumentation with Cajun storytelling and turn of phrase has  made him one of my new favourite artists. Live, he uses a stomp box soaked in reverb to  create thunderous kick sounds adding a dark pulse to contrast his acoustic parts. This  has influenced us to incorporate similar sounds to our acoustic sets and experiment with  drum machines and kick pedals.  

3. Aerosmith - Get the Lead Out

Matt: I've been going through all the Aerosmith albums my parents had which I grew up  on listening to. I'm really inspired by Joe Perry's parts, they really are quintessential Rock  and Roll riffs, but all of them swing so hard too. I'm trying to channel some of that in  the new songs we're working on. I’ve always been a fan of the Rocks album and I’m giving  Toys In The Attic a few spins for inspiration now.

4. Glen Campbell - Witchita Lineman

Matt: Jimmy Webb is one of our favourite songwriters and inspirations. Witchita Lineman  is such a perfect meeting of top tier songwriting and incredible talent. Glen Campbell will  always be one of the greats, such amazing singing and playing, he's one of my  G.O.A.Ts. The arrangement is forlorn and hopeful at the same time and the vocals are so  heartfelt. The unique sound of signals passing through a telephone wire in this tune were  made by Jimmy Webb experimenting with an electric organ sequencer, this is one of my  favourite and imaginative uses of foley. 

5. The Doobie Brothers - Black Water

Kay: The Doobie Brothers' sound is always one we are inspired by, we’ve always loved  the production on their records and they’ve stood the test of time. Their nostalgic sound  is instantly recognisable. This is a tune that is surprisingly complex, in its tuning, its travis  picked rhythm and its effortless swing. The magic being you don’t notice its complexities  until you look under the hood. Michael McDonald’s already incredible, low and soulful  voice, is lifted by the chorus of harmonies provided by the rest of the band, inviting you to  join in yourself. It feels like the ultimate campfire tune. 

Don't forget to stream Kay Iris' new single 'The Other Side' now: