Iris Downey is one of Kaua‘i’s most beloved musicians. Her music has entertained and inspired the hearts of many. It is through her love of music that she’s been able to vividly express her deepest and truest feelings. On Oct.
Iris Downey is one of Kaua‘i’s most beloved musicians. Her music has entertained and inspired the hearts of many. It is through her love of music that she’s been able to vividly express her deepest and truest feelings. On Oct. 20, a concert benefiting Iris Downey will be held at Common Ground Kaua‘i in Kilauea from 2 to 9 p.m. Playing at the “We Love Iris” festival includes Paula Fuga, The Quake, Elijah and the Band of Light, Steve Dubey and much more. The event also includes keiki activities, prize drawings, a silent auction, food booths and a beer garden sponsored by Kona Brewing. Tickets are $30; children 12 and under attend for free. Iris took the time to conduct an interview with Kaua‘i Times. During the interview, she expressed the recent changes in her life, her medical condition, music and her thoughts on the upcoming concert that will support her.
Kaua‘i Times: Hi, Iris. How you doing?
Iris Downey: Pretty good.
KT: Are you still on the island?
Iris: No. I’m on the East Coast, staying with my mom. She’s in Vermont.
KT: How’s life for you over there?
Iris: It’s OK. I’m just kinda adjusting to what’s going on right now. I’m kinda taking it easy and getting well rested.
KT: Can you explain to me your medical condition?
Iris: Sure. I have lupus. I was diagnosed with lupus when I was 17. I was in remission for a few years, but it came back. I got a flare of it just recently, and because of that flare up my kidneys are really hurt. Now I need a kidney transplant.
KT: That’s terrible. Have you been able to write any songs or perform since your condition flared up?
Iris: I’ve been playing a lot of music. I haven’t been performing so much, but I’ve definitely been writing. I’ve also been learning new songs and playing on my own, but not so much performing like I was in the last couple of years. I can’t. I don’t have the energy to perform right now.
KT: Last year, you came in first performing at the Kaua‘i Music Festival Songwriters Conference. How has that changed your life?
Iris: Oh, wow. It changed my life quite a bit. It was there where I met my producer — the person I worked on my first album with. I just finished that album up, and that’s going to be released — when I’m feeling better — next summer. Winning at the KMF songwriters conference really put me on the track to making a lot of my music dreams come true. It has connected me with a lot of the right people. It also taught me a lot about the profession of songwriting. It really solidified the fact that that’s what I really want to do with my life. Be the person I wanna be.
KT: What’s music to you?
Iris: Music is my first language. It’s how I express myself, it’s how I talk with people and it’s how I say who I am. Music defines who we are: whether it’s what we listen to, what we write, what we perform or what we see as performers. First and foremost it’s a way of expressing ourselves.
KT: On Oct. 20 there will be a benefit concert for you. Will you be able to attend?
Iris: I’m not sure if I’ll be able to attend. It depends on how I’m feeling or if my doctor lets me go. There might be some travel restrictions. I just started dialysis. If I’m not able to go, I’ll be Skyped in. They’ll have me projected on the big screen, and they’ll also play some of my music, too.
KT: What do you want to say to the people helping out and performing at the event?
Iris: I wanna say big mahalos to everyone. This is what I’m all about. If I was able to help someone, I would be doing the same thing for them. I feel really blessed that people are coming together and performing and expressing themselves and doing it for a cause that benefits me.
I feel really blessed to see so many artists coming together and do such an amazing thing. It’s also really inspiring for me to keep going and know that on the other side there’s things to look forward to and people to thank.
When I’m better, I’ll be able to help them in the same way. It’s really inspiring, and I just have so much love and aloha for the people making it happen. I just wanna give each and every one of them a hug when the time is right.
