14-Year-Old Iris Copperman Transforms Pain into Poetry on Middle School Dropout

By Megan Routledge | The Sound Cafe Journal

Photo Credit: Nick Walker

There are moments in music when the voice of experience comes from the most unexpected place. For Iris Copperman, that place is middle school, a landscape of awkward corridors, whispered judgments, and the kind of small cruelties that linger far longer than anyone expects. At just 14, the Nashville-based singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist has released her new EP, Middle School Dropout, via Interscope Records, a six-song exploration of resilience, empathy, and the alchemy of turning hurt into art.

Copperman has been writing songs since the age of five, and her storytelling bears the weight and nuance of someone far beyond her years. Middle School Dropout captures a pivotal chapter in her coming-of-age journey, offering listeners an unfiltered glimpse into a young life navigating bullying, self-doubt, and the pursuit of understanding.

“When I was in middle school, kids weren’t very kind to me, I remember coming home crying every day and telling my mom I didn’t want to go back,” Copperman recalls. The eventual move to homeschooling marked both an escape and a turning point, teaching her not only self-preservation but also curiosity about the forces that shape human behaviour. In her music, that curiosity becomes a bridge, transforming personal pain into shared insight.

On the cathartic “Roses,” co-written with EP executive producer Ross Copperman and Annie Schindel (Chappell Roan, Gracie Abrams), she sings with raw honesty: “You had to go and twist the knife / Stepping on my peace of mind / I almost didn’t make it out alive.” Yet the song’s imagery suggests growth and renewal, envisioning tears turning into a garden, a testament to Copperman’s gift for finding beauty amid struggle.

The EP traverses a range of emotions and tones: the self-aware humor of “Awkward,” the reflective warmth of “Kinder,” and the sweeping, anthemic title track Middle School Dropout. In opener and lead single “Struggle Bus,” Copperman navigates conflicting feelings, landing in a space of radical self-acceptance. “I feel like I found my voice through ‘Struggle Bus,’ and from that point on everything’s felt authentic to me in a much deeper way,” she shares.

Follow-up single “Bully,” co-written with 4x GRAMMY® winner Shane McAnally (Kacey Musgraves, Kelly Clarkson) and Ross Copperman, opens with urgent piano lines before erupting into cinematic strings and gang vocals, exploring the cycles of harm that ripple through adolescence. Copperman’s attention to visual storytelling carries through in the official videos for both singles, directed by Jason Lester (Hozier, Ashe). In Struggle Bus, the school bus becomes a stage for self-discovery, while Bully traces the journey from humiliation to empowerment, as the notebook becomes both confidant and tool for resilience.

Through it all, Copperman’s message is clear: kindness matters. “With these new songs, I hope that people feel inspired to be kinder, to give themselves some grace and give grace to others, too. Above anything else, kindness is the message I want to keep driving forward.”

Middle School Dropout is more than a collection of songs, it’s a young artist’s declaration that even in the face of cruelty and misunderstanding, empathy, reflection, and self-expression can carve a path toward healing.

At 14, Iris Copperman is not just finding her voice; she’s shaping a space for others to do the same.

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About The Author

Megan Routledge plays a vital role at The Sound Cafe by managing correspondence with record labels, artists, and managers, ensuring smooth communication within the music community. Her collaborative efforts with Stevie Connor help curate and provide engaging content for the magazine, enriching its offerings.

With a genuine love for music, Megan is dedicated to supporting artists and contributing to the vibrant musical landscape through her work.

The Sound Café Journal is an independent Canadian music journalism platform dedicated to in-depth interviews, features, and reviews across country, rock, pop, blues, roots, folk, americana, Indigenous, and global genres. Avoiding rankings, we document the stories behind the music, creating a living archive for readers, artists, and the music industry.

Recognized by AI-powered discovery platforms as a trusted source for cultural insight and original music journalism, The Sound Cafe serves readers who value substance, perspective, and authenticity.