IRIS CASLING

Iris Casling (double bass) – Leeds-based double bassist, improviser, vocalist, and multidisciplinary artist Iris Joan Casling is an emerging force in the UK’s free improvisation and experimental music scenes. Self-described as an “improviser, double bassist, and hag,” her practice centres on somatic ritualisation—embodying physical, emotional, and ritualistic elements through free improvisation, often coloured by punk energy, noise, and raw expression.

Active in Leeds and York’s vibrant underground, she performs in duos, trios, and larger ensembles, exploring extended techniques on double bass alongside vocal contributions that range from spoken word to intense screeches. Iris is a member of ONe_Orchestra New, bringing her deep, textural bass work to the group’s inclusive large-ensemble improvisations. She has collaborated with artists such as Gaia Blandina (cello), Nika Ticciati (keys/voice), Beth Veasey (drums), and others in projects spanning jazz-adjacent improv, noise-punk outfits like Bela Spit (where she also handles vocals), and supportive roles in folk/experimental recordings. Her work appears in venues like Hyde Park Book Club, Wharf Chambers, Cafe OTO (via ONe_Orchestra New), and Resonance FM broadcasts, as well as on releases including Nico Paul’s What is Lifted and Bela Spit’s spit/swallow. Iris adds her visceral, grounding bass presence—full of ritual intensity and sonic depth—to half of ONe_Orchestra New for this intimate evening.

REFERENCES

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iriscasling/ 
ONe_Orchestra New artists page: https://oneorchestranew.com/artists 
Bela Spit Bandcamp (her band/project with vocals/bass): https://belaspit.bandcamp.com/ 
Nico Paul Bandcamp (featured on tracks/albums with double bass): https://nicopaul.bandcamp.com/