No one is prepared for the sonic and emotional journey Los Angeles-based Doomgaze quartet Iress will take listeners on with their new album Sleep Now, In Reverse. Spearheaded by vocalist and guitarist Michelle Malley, along with guitarist Graham Walker, bassist Michael Maldonado, and drummer Glenn Chu, Sleep Now, In Reverse is a powerful juxtaposition between beautifully rich and ethereal soundscapes paired with pummeling and colossal heavy arrangements. Sleep Now, In Reverse, which was partially recorded live, shows Iress firing on all cylinders and, in essence, captures the band’s undeniably rich live sound and dynamic, further brought to life by Frontwoman Michelle Malley’s evocative vocal performances and lyricism that can only be described as chillingly vulnerable.
Released on July 26th via Dune Altar and Church Road Records, Sleep Now, In Reverse is already proving to be the band’s breakthrough album. With rave reviews from esteemed media outlets including Metal Injection, Decibel Magazine, and Flood Magazine — as well as successful tour dates across the pond in the UK, Iress may be heading into the most exciting era of their nearly fifteen-year career. In other words, Sleep Now, In Reverse is the definitive Iress album, a product of decades of hard work and creative evolution just waiting to be discovered.
We sat down with Iress frontwoman and guitarist Michelle Malley to discuss the band’s new album Sleep Now, In Reverse, their recent UK tour, musical influences, dream collaborations, and so much more.
Upon first listening to your brand new album Sleep Now, In Reverse, I was immediately intrigued by how warm and rich the recordings are. Not to mention, the songs have a very organic and "live" aspect. What was the recording process like for the album, and what did you want it to encapsulate sonically?
Michelle Malley: Well, first off, thank you so much. We actually tracked all the drums and bass live, including some of the guitars. It was a really cool process. Of course, we had a lot of fun layering on top of them with synths, more guitars, and vocal harmonies. Our process of recording was very instinctive, improvised, and collaborative. We had all the songs pieced together before recording them, but a lot of the writing happened in the studio together. We stayed at The Pale Moon Ranch for a week at a time, creating and writing, making it very special.
Another aspect of the album that really stands out is the juxtaposition of the ethereal tenderness of the vocal performances over such heavy arrangements. With your music incorporating everything from doom and metal to shoegaze and post-rock, what specific influences and artists inspired you this time around?
Malley: I've always loved how eclectic our band's personal music tastes are; I believe that's why our music is the way it is. We channeled a lot of our metal roots with chugging guitar riffs and mathy outros. Still, we also embraced our dreamy shoegaze-y side with lots of atmospheric layers and synths. This album specifically is the most collaborative one yet which is why every track is so different from the other. Beach House and Slowdive were high in our music rotation, along with bands such as Cocteau Twins, Windhand, and Holy Fawn. We are all influenced by so many bands, and it's hard to name only a few, so I will leave it there.
It feels like you are holding nothing back in terms of vulnerability. Leading into this album, what did you feel like you needed to get off your chest lyrically?
Malley: Well, that's definitely a loaded question. My lyrics are highly influenced by my emotions and what I'm going through. I have been my most vulnerable self the past two releases, especially lyrically. There has been a lot of change and heartbreak in the air over the years, and making music is definitely how I release it all. I actually invited Graham into my lyrical world, and he had a hand in the lyrics for Sleep Now, In Reverse, which made them even more vulnerable. He helped me bring them to life.
If you had to choose, what is your favorite song from Sleep Now, In Reverse, and why?
Malley: That is so hard! I think they have all been a favorite at some point while we were writing them. “Falling” is currently my favorite to play live. I think today I am going to choose “Leviathan (The Fog).” It's the softer one on the record and quite different from the rest, and I absolutely love how it came together.
At the beginning of August, you played your album release show at the legendary Los Angeles venue, The Echo. How did it feel to celebrate the release of this album in your hometown, and how has the city of Los Angeles shaped your music in general?
Malley: That night was incredible. The amount of love and support we felt was surreal. It was the perfect way to send us off on tour. Being at The Echo, with our community, where we have so many memories, and the lineup was all friends we've known for years, including our label Dune Altar as the DJ. It was simply a beautiful evening, to say the least.
You are currently on tour in the UK at the time of this interview. How has the reception of the new songs been in a live setting, and what are some of your highlights from this run?
Malley: This tour is magical. A reminder that I want to do this forever. People are singing the lyrics to our songs; we are meeting fans for the first time who have been listening to our music for years. We packed a venue in London, a place we've never been before. This was the most amazing thing we have ever experienced. The highlight was definitely performing at the Arctangent Festival. It was an emotional day and by far the coolest thing we have all ever done. I hope to play many more just like it next year.
What would be your dream tour lineup and dream musical collaboration?
Malley: The guys and I have talked about this many times. I think we could answer this in a lot of different ways because there are so many amazing bands we all love and feel like we would mesh well with. Deftones would obviously be life-changing. Loathe, Nothing, or Deafheaven would be fun. We could also go the more shoegaze-y route and tour with Slowdive…just to name a few. As for a musical collaboration, I would love to work with an instrumental band like Explosions in the Sky, or This Will Destroy You and add some melodies to their beautiful music. I think it would be pretty epic and magical if you ask me.
With Sleep Now, In Reverse being your first new full-length album in nearly four years, it seems like critical reception has been very strong already. This album could very well change the entire trajectory of your career. With that being said, what do you hope the future holds for Iress?
Malley: I hope you are right. We are very proud of our creation and thrilled that people like it. More festivals, more touring, and even bigger shows, please. That is what I want for us. We feel more inspired than ever, so more music is coming for you soon enough.