Lucky Iris maybe i'm too much

Lucky Iris Talks New Candid EP ‘Maybe I’m Too Much’

The dynamic pop duo from Leeds, U.K., Lucky Iris, releases maybe i’m too much, the group’s most recent EP.  Lucky Iris is Maeve Florsheim and Jasper Exley, forming their group just before the height of the pandemic in 2020.  POETRY DANS LA RUE has followed Lucky Iris since the release of “Get Ready With Me,” an addicting pop track that can pair with any Reel or TikTok. 

On maybe i’m too much, the group follows a reflective journey with candid lyrics juxtaposed by energetic pop music. Lucky Iris comes into their sound and pushes the limits, especially with tracks like “23” and “blowing kisses.” Recently, the group had their songs featured on BBCR1, Love Island, and BBC Introducing…which mark major career highs for the duo.

We catch up with Lucky Iris to gush over the release of maybe i’m too much and chat about all things behind the scenes.

Lucky Iris maybe i'm too much

Interview ft. Lucky Iris

POETRY DANS LA RUE: It’s so wild to reflect on when we first connected in 2020 for the release of “Get Ready With Me.” I love seeing how you guys have evolved in the past few years!

LUCKY IRIS: “We wrote those first tracks just before the pandemic. The lockdown was pretty quick here in the U.K., so it was a lot of calling between the two of us trying to release the songs. It was nice to have people like you pick up on it early. It reassured us that people were enjoying the music.”

‘maybe i’m too much’ EP

PDLR: So, your EP, maybe i’m too much, is out now! I remember listening to “23” when it came out. I noticed the production and was enamored by how it captivates the listener. Then I dove into the lyrics and the meaning of the track. I felt like this one set the bar!

LUCKY IRIS: “Since lockdown, the production has been self-taught by both of us, and we’ve been able to craft and produce our own music for the first time. We’ve had so much more time to sit with the tracks and sounds to make it feel how we want. I’m glad to hear you picked up on it.

When we first started and made “Get Ready With Me,” we wanted to make music that we wanted to listen to. The kind of music and the soundscapes have changed in a couple of years, but we still like that concept. We’ve grown into this sound, and this is the first time we’ve put our spin on all of it.”

PDLR: That’s awesome, and it shows on the tracks! Did you work with anyone else in the making of this EP?

LUCKY IRIS: “So it’s produced by just us, doing everything ourselves. We sent it off for the final production to be mixed by Richard Wilkinson, who has worked with Adele. Then it went to mastering in Denmark by Antony Ryan, who works with Oh Wonder.

We love writing songs, and we love producing, but it’s nice to have more ears to hear it in different spaces. It also helps to raise the sound quality and elevate the tracks. Our aspiration for this EP was to do what we’re doing but take it to the next level.”

“I think “23” will still resonate when I’m turning 53 because it’s the same retrospective idea of where you are at the time.”

PDLR: Can you provide more insight into the writing process of the EP and discuss what you were pulling from for the material?

LUCKY IRIS: “We were in a better headspace after lockdown and getting back into a normal routine. It was exploring the ways that we’ve grown. So with “23,” it was the idea of where we are now after these last couple of years. It feels like we blinked and woke up in 2023.

Now, I’m in my twenties, and I’m trying to be present, but you have all of these pressures. I realized that some of the things I want have changed since 2020. It comes with getting older in general; the ideas of what I want for my life are changing. The song is about that and how it’s not necessarily a good or bad thing.

I think “23” will still resonate when I’m 52, turning 53, because it’s the same retrospective idea of where you are at that time. You’re always reflecting.”

PDLR: I think the idea you explore on “23” is relatable to many different generations. People could be going through significant life changes and reflecting on where they are at any given time.

LUCKY IRIS: “Out of all the tracks, “23” is quite emotional because it perfectly captures the feeling of us coming out of lockdown and feeling a bit lost. Our entire EP is like this growth period, and “maybe i’m too much” is also a special track because it’s one of the first we wrote as a backdrop to the EP.

I think it started as quite a sad track about taking in all the impressions other people have of us. It has since grown as we’ve changed it into a rather joyful track. It’s about realizing those things don’t matter, and you shouldn’t give time to people who want to change you. The lyrics stayed the same, but the meaning was different. It’s saying, well, ‘maybe I’m too much, but maybe that doesn’t matter at all.’

“oh no (i guess i did it again)” worked similarly because it started as a trivial argument in a pub. It ended with this idea that I won’t allow people to tell me where I belong, and their opinion doesn’t matter. I didn’t necessarily write it expecting those feelings, but it’s very cathartic.”

“Having our songs be on the main radio station we listened to growing up was a huge pinch-me moment.”

PDLR: I’ve had “blowing kisses” in my head for the past few weeks; it’s definitely an earworm! I also saw that you recently had both of your latest singles on BBC Radio 1.

LUCKY IRIS: “We were so excited about that. It’s something we always dreamed about. Having our songs be on the main radio station we listened to growing up was a huge pinch-me moment. It was nice to have validation and achieve a longtime goal. After hearing “oh no (i guess i did it again)” and soaking it all in, they played “blowing kisses” the following week. To have that kind of reassurance meant a lot.”

PDLR: That’s exciting to have traction with the EP coming out!

“We like the juxtaposition of the lyrics being more melancholy and the feeling more energetic.”

PDLR: Any specific influences or something you were listening to while you were making maybe i’m too much?

LUCKY IRIS: “We listened to a lot of hyper-pop music because it brought us a lot of joy and put us in the mindset. We fell in love with more and more artists in that niche, and now we’ve kind of created our version of that. So, there may be some more surprises along the lines of that style to come. Some of the artists we had on rotation were Rina Sawayama, Tove Lo, Caroline Polachek, Charli XCX, and Kim Petras. We like the juxtaposition of the lyrics being more melancholy and the feeling more energetic.”

Upcoming Events for Lucky Iris

PDLR: Do you have any special events or shows coming up?

LUCKY IRIS: “We’re doing an intimate record store show on August 11th when the EP comes out. We’ll play the EP in full live and celebrate with friends. Then we’ve got a tour booked TBA soon, touring most of the U.K. We are eager to get the music out there and perform it for everyone.”

Listen to the brand new EP, ‘maybe i’m too much,’ from Lucky Iris below, and follow them on social media to keep up with their latest news.

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new music weekend playlist

New Music Weekend Playlist Summer 2022

This week PDLR is bringing new music from previously featured fan-favorite artists as well as some brand-new names to us and many of you. We have a short list of stand-out tracks from Dermot Kennedy, FABER, Pale Waves, The Lucky, & more. Our New Music Weekend Playlist is short and sweet, give it a listen, and we bet you’ll save at least one song! Cheers to the weekend, and happy New Music Friday!

*POETRY DANS LA RUE strives to promote new and upcoming artists in the music scene all over the world. Our goal is to provide a platform for ‘on the rise’ artists and encourage fans to discover new music.

// SPOTIFY PLAYLIST // APPLE MUSIC PLAYLIST //

new music weekend playlist

New Music Weekend Playlist

// “Too Little Too Late” by The Lucky //-Pop rock

You may recognize the smooth catchy sound of The Lucky (formerly known as Handmade House) if you followed along with our IGTV music festival a few years back. The trio, composed of Tucker Click (vocals), Maison Thomas (as in, Rob Thomas’s son)-Eudy (guitar), and Josh Nardine (drums), dropped “Too Little Too Late,” the second single under their new moniker last Friday. The Lucky liken themselves to a pop rock band similar to The Band CAMINO or VALLEY; however, we have always found their songs to be more effortlessly captivating. We love how “Too Little Too Late” starts out soft, focuses on the vocals, and builds through the bridge to chorus to more of an alternative rock anthem. Check it out, and be sure to add them to your ‘bands-to-watch’ list.

// “Jealousy” by Pale Waves //-Indie-rock

Indie-rock band Pale Waves (Dirty Hit) released track three of album three, Unwanted, earlier this week. “Jealousy” stays true to Pale Waves’ signature sound of pop-punk style and angsty vocals. In our opinion, they are one of the few female-led bands that never disappoint their genre track-for-track (see also MUNA & Wolf Alice), while also evolving for long-time fans. However, there is something unapologetic about the honesty that “Jealousy” adds to their discography. Heather Baron-Gracie’s easily recognizable voice fits perfectly into this emo-inspired track about wanting your partner all to yourself. Avril Lavigne fans…don’t sleep on this band!

// “Dreamer” by Dermot Kennedy //-Singer-songwriter

WOW!! Dermot stays true to his goosebump-inducing, troubadour style, clear-cut raspy vocals. “Ain’t got a song to sing without your loving, yeah, isn’t that worth something?” Um, okay, hello, Dermot, King of writing the most heartfelt lyrics alongside the most beautiful melodies. Swoooon!! For fans that were worried Dermot’s sophomore album would be more on the side of pop radio, “Dreamer” can be likened to his infamous crowd-silencing ballads such as “An Evening I Will Not Forget” and “After Rain.” If you haven’t caught on yet, those tend to be fan favorites. Sidenote, Dermot is ALSO currently on tour in the US with…SHAWN MENDES!

// “I Just Want You Around” by Marc Scibilia //-Singer-songwriter

Long-time Buffalo singer-songwriter Marc Scibilia always has the perfect tracks to enjoy a sunset or romantic dinner for two. “I Just Want You Around” reminds us of a cool bluesy track with a John Mayer guitar solo. We must give credit where credit is due, though; that’s Marc on guitar, vocals, lyrics, production, and, well, everything on this track. You can check out behind-the-scenes of his songwriting on Instagram.

// “Keep On” by Michael Sanderson //-Rock

Germany-based singer-songwriter Michael Sanderson reflects on life in quarantine in new track “Keep On.” Sanderson pays an ode to friends and family who get each other through difficult times. If we could pinpoint a similar sounding vocal, we would probably lean toward Ben Folds. “Keep On” is Sanderson’s first song he ever composed on the piano. It’s a feel-good early Friday evening kind of tune.

// “Rage” by FABER //-Rock

Our London queen FABER! FABER is another artist that we were lucky to have on our IGTV festival lineup in 2020. “Rage” is the perfect song title for her newest release this past May. The song is just the right combination of capturing the feeling of rage and showcasing FABER’s soft vocals contrasted with amplified screams. She’s been out and about doing amazing things, including features for BBC introducing…and playing live shows. Keep an eye on her!

// SPOTIFY PLAYLIST // APPLE MUSIC PLAYLIST //