Iris Copperman Finds Strength in Vulnerability on New Single “Struggle Bus”

There’s an honesty to “Struggle Bus” that feels instinctive rather than rehearsed. On her new single, Nashville-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Iris Copperman leans into uncertainty, confusion, and self-doubt—not to dramatize them, but to sit with them. Released today, the track marks her first single with Interscope Records, and it arrives with a quiet confidence that feels well beyond her years.

At just 14 years old, Copperman writes with emotional clarity that doesn’t try to sound older than it is. “Struggle Bus” unfolds like a personal conversation, tracing the push-and-pull of conflicting feelings before landing somewhere steadier. It’s a song about learning to live with your thoughts instead of running from them, and about choosing self-acceptance even when things feel messy.

Music has always been Copperman’s safe place. She began writing songs at five years old, teaching herself how to translate everyday moments—conversations, phrases from books, fleeting feelings—into melodies and lyrics. Nearly a decade later, that instinct remains at the core of her process. Whether she’s at the piano or sitting alone with her guitar, songwriting is where everything clicks.

For Copperman, “Struggle Bus” isn’t about having answers. It’s about recognizing the weight of emotions as they come and trusting that working through them is enough. That perspective gives the song its strength. Nothing is overstated. Nothing feels rushed. It’s simply honest.

As her first release under a major label, “Struggle Bus” feels less like a debut moment and more like a natural next step—one that introduces an artist who already knows why she’s creating, even as she continues to grow into who she’s becoming.

“Struggle Bus” is available now on all streaming platforms.