The 19-year-old singer made the most of her second shot in the NBC singing competition, moving on to the Battle Rounds. Learn more about Herrera in this Local Spins interview.
‘You Are My Sunshine’: Iris Herrera’s unique take on the classic song impressed judges. (NBC/The Voice)
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Call it a fierce return to NBC’s “The Voice.”
Brandishing refined techniques, a renewed sense of confidence and a reimagined rendition of “You Are My Sunshine,” Newaygo teen Iris Herrera landed a spot on first-time coach Kelsea Ballerini’s team earlier this month in Season 27 of the popular TV singing competition.
When Herrera was sent home during auditions during Season 26, the 19-year-old singer saw it as a challenge and a chance to prove herself, not a defeat.
“The thing I’m looking for the most are artists that don’t want to be boxed in,” Ballerini said in her pitch to Herrera, after two other coaches — John Legend and Michael Bublé — turned their chairs around in a bid to land Herrera on their respective teams.
That sentiment — not wanting to limit herself or confine her music to any specific genre — won Herrera over, joining Ballerini’s team for the show’s “Battle Rounds” beginning in March.
“Just the way Kelsea speaks and the vibe that she brings to the table is so different, and personable, and unique,” Herrera said of her coach. “I think that she has a good understanding of what it means to be an underdog. It was the best decision I could have made. … She’s wonderful.”
Trusting in Her Artistry: Herrera (Courtesy Photo/NBC)
Described as a “comeback queen” on Instagram, her recent success on “The Voice” came after her audition performance of Fleetwood Mac’s “Gypsy” during Season 26 drew some advice from celebrity judges Gwen Stefani and Michael Bublé. Stefani suggested Herrera record herself singing and watch it back to find ways to improve her technique, while Bublé encouraged Herrera to work on developing her own unique style after sounding strikingly similar to Stevie Nicks during the audition.
“It was a bummer at first,” Herrera conceded in a Local Spins interview, “but then it kind of lit a little fire inside me. I came home, put in the work, I developed some new vocal warm-ups. I was also diving into how important it is to take care of your vocal cords and how much that can really play a role in your vocal control and breath work.”
Herrera selected the classic and timeless “You Are My Sunshine,” a song that nearly everyone has heard many times over, and focused on bringing out the unique elements of her voice rather than imitating any past version of the song. Herrera’s raspy vocals, soulful delivery and impressive vocal control made for a winning combination. (View the video below.)
Before big on-screen moments on “The Voice,” Herrera first honed her skills by playing gigs with friends in West Michigan bars where she learned how to perform and connect with audiences. From school talent shows to local bars, Herrera has been surrounded by supportive friends and family from the beginning, even before she considered music as a career.
“Even if it is at little bars, learning how to engage with the crowd, learning to open your eyes, learning to make things enticing and hook people in are things I’ve learned from gigging,” Herrera explained.
As for future plans and original music, Herrera is content to go “wherever the wind blows her.”
Growing up, she was influenced by everything from Latin music that makes her feel connected to her Hispanic heritage to rock ’n’ roll icons such as The Beatles and Fleetwood Mac.
“I think artists sometimes like to put themselves in boxes, or feel as if they have to be in a box in order to be successful. I’m just excited and ready for the future wherever and however that looks,” Herrera sa.
“Trusting myself in my artistry and in my music has been a big learning experience and learning curve. It’s something that I strive to do going forward.”
Speaking of that future, Herrera plans to play more local gigs and continue to strengthen her bond with the Michigan music community.
She also left Local Spins readers and aspiring young musicians with this message:
“It doesn’t matter where you come from. My biggest message is that I really am a nobody who just loves music so much and is so passionate, but I really genuinely believe in myself, and that can get you a really long way.”
For now, that has meant getting to the Battle Rounds in March, the next phase of the competition. “The Voice” airs at 8 p.m. Mondays on NBC.
VIDEO: Iris Herrara on “The Voice” (Blind Auditions)
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