The annual Smokefreerockquest has helped to give a voice to some of New Zealand’s brightest and most promising talent. And this year is no exception – make way for Auckland singer-songwriter, Iris G.
 
The Avondale College student was named Smokefreerockquest’s solo-duo section winner for 2016, with judges highlighting the 18-year-old’s unique sound and ability to take risks with her music.
 
Now, Iris G is making her official debut with her ode to young love, ‘Supernova’.

‘Supernova’ is a sweet and enchanting song that treads the fine line between joy and heartbreak. Produced by Ruby Frost and Djeisan Suskov (LEISURE), Iris G masterfully weaves the complexities of a bright burning relationship into an honest and beautifully crafted tune that peaks with a catchy hook that will leave you humming long after it’s ended.
 
“The song is about a conversation I had one night with an old love, where I told them that we were both as bright as the sun, but we’d be even brighter if we were together. They answered, ‘Like a supernova!’” says Iris G. “Ironically, we burnt out as quickly as a supernova and I struggled to deal with the heartbreak. This song was a way for me to stop the memory of our conversation from haunting me.
 
On winning Smokefreerockquest’s solo-duo section, Iris G was awarded a $10,000 NZ on Air recording and promo package, which was put towards the making of the video for ‘Supernova’.

Made by Imaginary Friends and directed by Dave Thomson, Iris G says, “Dave and I were completely on the same wavelength throughout the whole process. I knew that I wanted the video to have an 80s style, to tell a story and to have a big twist at the end.”
 
Iris G, who is in her final year of high school, has been singing her entire life. “Music and karaoke is very big in the Filipino culture,” she explains.
 
Now, with the release of ‘Supernova’, the talented young singer-songwriter from Auckland has one main goal, and that’s to share her music with as many people as possible. “My plan is to just keep challenging myself to be better – with songwriting, performing and just generally as a person!”