For years, singer/songwriter Alan Schaefer has tried to deliver music that is positive but not preachy, while clearly coming from the heart. His efforts can be heard on the past four releases by Five Star Iris, the band name under which he records and performs. Often described as a modern version of classic rock, Five Star Iris’ appeals to a wide variety of music fans. Honest songwriting that refreshingly touches on relatable themes such as personal accountability, social commentary and communication has attracted a uniquely supportive and loyal fan base for the band.
Five Star Iris takes great pride in the connection that they make on and off stage. “It’s all about people,” says Schaefer. “To have the chance to make such a profound difference in other’s lives by simply doing what I love makes me luckier than most. It’s certainly something I try hard not to take for granted,” he adds. This theme is expanded on in the beautifully orchestrated song “Luckiest Man” which is a song near and dear to Schaefer’s heart and was written after his father underwent quintuple bypass surgery. “While in recovery, my father told me that he spoke to a voice and asked why he was so lucky. Why was he still here? That experience had a profound emotional affect on me and in dealing with those emotions the song practically wrote itself,” says Schaefer.
As an independent band 5si has had the opportunity to do some pretty major things. Recent years have produced a number of milestones including multiple appearances on national television, articles in both Spin and Billboard Magazines and music features on well known television shows. Additionally, 5si has traveled the globe entertaining U.S. servicemen and women in more than 15 countries including places like Iraq, Japan and Australia.
Look for new music to be released in 2010.
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