New Orleans is a city where music is more than entertainment—it is a living, breathing culture, and for rising musician iranoldaurora, it has been the foundation of his artistic journey. Drawing inspiration from the rich tapestry of Jazz, Bounce, Soul, Brass band culture, and Funk, he has developed a philosophy of music that balances respect for tradition with fearless innovation. He shares, “I’m from New Orleans. The music here is deeply rooted in history but constantly evolving—jazz, bounce, soul, brass band culture, funk—it all lives in the same space. Growing up around that taught me that music isn’t just a genre, it’s a language. You’re expected to know where things come from, but you’re also encouraged to push it forward. That balance really shaped how I make music.”
For iranoldaurora, the ultimate goal in his music career is longevity and creative freedom. He states, “My main goal in my music career is to build a long, sustainable career where I can grow as an artist and musician without being boxed into one sound. I want to create music that feels honest, experimental when it needs to be, soulful when it needs to be, and impactful over time—not just trendy in the moment. Ultimately, I want my work to speak for itself and connect with people who really listen.”
Beyond his personal aspirations, iranoldaurora is thoughtful about the structure of the music industry itself. He shares, “If I could change one thing in the music industry, I’d change how early artists are pressured to fit into boxes. Too often people want to define your ‘lane’ before you’ve had the space to really evolve. I think the industry would be healthier if it invested more in long-term artist development instead of chasing fast results. The best music usually comes from artists who are given time to grow, experiment, and fail without being punished for it.” Through his reflections, iranoldaurora emphasizes the importance of artistic growth, authenticity, and patience in creating music that resonates. His approach is a reminder that true innovation in music comes from both honoring the past and daring to explore the future.