Two More From the Floor

Check out our Myspace today, we'll have two new demos with the new vocals on them. The groundbreaking pair are 'This is Home', and the new 'Hero' previously 'Achilles'. Roughly mixed so we could get them on the net, check the new stuff out at:

www.myspace.com/icarusinitiative

In other news, we should be starting to gig in late January, so check the Myspace for listings, or maybe here on the world of blogness. There'll be some new photos up too, of the snappy recording of some hands and a shaker for the end of 'This is Home'. Genius writer Charlie Elwess provided the palms, as well as the Chris 'The Duke' Ellington and that weirdo vocalist Emily Ormiston. These aren't the final mixes so please excuse any low quality on the 'space.

Check out BBC iPlayer for the documentary on Acrassicauda, the only heavy metal band in Iraq. Its a compelling story about the troubles of a band who are forced to live in the turmoil of central Baghdad during and after the second Gulf War. They face their rehearsal space being bombed, not being able to walk down the road for fear of being shot, and being split apart for years due to exile. MTV follow the band through the whole thing, meeting secretly under civil war conditions in the centre of Baghdad, where speaking English can you get killed on the spot. Due to their harsh lifestyle in the last 5 years, the band have played only two or three gigs at small venues in the city adn Turkey. Their passion and drive to play and learn music despite the war is absolutely inspiring, and conveys a powerful message to all. Well

worth watching, the documentary makes you wonder how you yourself would handle living in war-torn places like Iraq.

Enjoy ;)

Peace

The Icarus Initiative

Tuesday in the Studio

Today was another recording day for Emily and Ben. They've both taken the week off work to try and finish all the vocals from the debut album, 'Star Factory'. And it is going so well you wouldnt believe

The song on our Myspace 'Friction' has now been renamed 'Cold Outside', remixed and given the new ethereal vocals of the lovely Emily Ormiston. Since Monday the two have been writing lyrics with the fervor of mad squirrels. The song 'Hero' is to be recorded tomorrow, as well as one of the three singles, 'Epsilon'. 'Cold Outside' will hopefully be up on the Myspace, and we're considering it as a free download! Its an addictive song with a powerful subject, featuring epic piano and synth soundscapes, chased by relentless drums.

Meanwhile 'This is Home' has been finished with the lyrics from a few weeks ago, and with Ben putting down his final rap parts, the song can be finally mixed sometime in the next 48 hours :)

Please stay in touch with us, you can email the band at any time, with any subject at:

icarus-initiative@live.co.uk

Feel free to check out this weeks next few posts as well, there'll be another recording marathon tomorrow as well.

Peace
The Icarus Initiative

Memory Sticks

There's a new song...yes there is, we like it, you should too. Its called 'Memory Sticks', and should be up on the Myspace in a day or so! Enjoy this fine Wednesday evening!

Peace
The Icarus Initiative

Recession and the Ros

There's a new logo on the way this week, we've commissioned a very good designer friend of Ben's to make us a new one, so that should be up soon! These last few days have been very slow for us, too much work or Uni to get a lot of things done, but Emily's been on the lyricising so we're still going! We've got an epic schedule of recording to follow from the 1st of December, hoping to have all the vocals down by the 7th! Its going to be fun, and a lot of work, so expect some funny videos concerning us getting claustrophobic in Ben's small room.

Some of us went to see Icelandic band Sigur Ros at Alexandra Palace on Thursday last week by the way. We saw an interesting video as well on Channel 4: http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/arts_entertainment/music/and+the+band+played+on+sigur+ros/2835457

Its a really striking report, showing how the Recession can effect some musical artists, and how others really can rise above it. Unfortunately Sigur Ros are losing money, which is a shame for us as well as them, but they keep going, doing tours in countries that have politically criticised Iceland's economic situation, and performing their revolutionary soundscapes in front of people who have lost money because of Iceland.Its remarkable how events like looming depression or banks crashing can effect the average person, but even more so is how musicians like Sigur Ros can just push that aside and keep going, future insecure yet confident, because of their talents and knack for capturing hope with songs such as Staralfur or Hoppipolla. Find them at http://sigur-ros.co.uk/band/index.php

Peace

The Icarus Initiative

Monday's Magic

Monday was awesome. It was made of awesome. We think at one point, someone drank some of the awesome I'd left in the kitchen overnight to defrost.

Ghosts, one of the oldest tracks on the album, received a good prescribed dose of Vocals this week, thanks to the amazing skills of Emily, lead singer of the Initiative. Dance Boy Dance Girl, the main single, followed soon after, with much capering and journeys to 24Hour Tescos to get munchies and curry. All in all, definitely a productive day for the band, getting two of the best songs down so quickly and so well. It was a little cramped in the bedroom/studio, but had to be done.

Meanwhile a new song could be in production, maybe even two if we're lucky. Working title: Cold Outside. (Mainly because it really IS cold outside and this little heater/hairdryer is not fulfilling its role in life!) Also, perhaps a new ultra-chillout song could be on its way as a French bonus track only, but it will be on the Myspace if it is! Have no fear.

Also, the newest Friendly Fires album is an amazing album, especially 'Jump in the Pool'. Such a good track, makes you look forward to next year and the warmer climes! Check it out on Deezer.

Peace
The Icarus Initiative

Short and Snappy

Welcome to the world of the Icarus Initiative, a 4-piece collection of musical hobos from Guildford UK! Thank you for dropping by!

The band started in December 2007, and so far has been going from strength to strength. At the moment we are in the completing stages of our Debut Album, entitled Star Factory, which should be up for release in a few months so keep your eyes peeled for info :) We make elctronica music, mixed with indie, hiphop, and a bit of singer/songwriter! Be sure to look at our myspace whenever you get the chance.

Today we'll be in the studio again, taking pictures and videos of recording, so keep looking at the YouTube channel, IcarusTV, and the myspace as well :)

Anyway this week, bit of a rushed and simple intro to the band, but lets keep it short and snappy. Welcome to the Initiative.

Ben Galley
Emily Ormiston
Nick Roberts
Chris 'Duke' Ellington :)