Scott's Spotlight #14-- IO Earth
Originally posted to Facebook on December 12, 2024
link to post:
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Welcome to Scott’s Spotlight (#scottsspotlight) issue #14. For more information about this series, please click here:
Today I’ll be featuring the wonderful UK prog collective, IO Earth. The name is often stylized with the I and O overlapping like in the Greek letter “Phi”-- “Φ Earth” (I learned how to do a thing!) They are considered a “collective” in that they have a group of musicians involved that might come and go depending on who is available at the time and who is needed at any given time. The constant members, and founders/leaders of the project are childhood friends David Cureson and Adam Gough , both multi-instrumentalist songwriters. The two met at age 11 or 12, depending on the source, in their hometown of Birmingham, and began performing in bands together by the age of 15. In their earlier days, their music was said to be more guitar based, along the lines of Steve Vai and Joe Satriani. However, by the time their first album was released in 2009 (which apparently took 5 years to complete, according to ProgArchives which says they began recording it in 2004), they had become full-fledged symphonic prog.
That first, self-titled album features 20 tracks over 2 CDs. divided into 3 suites. Quite a debut! The band released the album themselves with no label. Along with David Cureson and Adam Gogh, David’s brother Richard plays drums. Additional musicians include:
- Louise Brabbins / vocals (1,5,7)
- Steve Balsamo / vocals (6,16,18)
- Claire Malin / vocals (8,13,17,19)
- Steve Trigg / trumpet (3,14), flugelhorn (5,9)
- Jason Reynolds / sax (3)
- Christian Nokes / bass (9,14)
On the strength of the first album, IO Earth were named “Best New Prog Band” in 2010 by Prog Magazine. Some of my favorites from the album include “Storyteller,” “The Creation,” and “Take Me.”
The follow up to the debut would appear in 2012, titled “Moments.” There are a few longer individual tracks on this album, as opposed to the movements of different suites. Here is the line-up on this album:
- Claire Malin / vocals
- Dave Cureton / lead & acoustic guitars, keyboards, programming, vocals
- Adam Gough / keyboards, acoustic guitar, Theremin, programming, vocals
- Luke Shingler / flute, soprano sax
- Christian Nokes / bass
- Richard Cureton / drums, percussion
With:
- Wendy Vissers-Hagenbeek / spoken word (This is the band’s manager).
- Jayna Maye-Noa Vissers (age 9) / spoken word
- Steve Trigg / trumpet
- Nicko Cureton (age 6) / percussion2
I cannot find much regarding what the band were doing between the first two albums. It seems that most of the core musicians on the debut returned for “Moments.” I have liked the following tracks on this album: “Moments,” “Live Your Life,” and “Turn Away.” Following in 2013 is the band’s only live album, “Live In the USA,” taken from their performance at the famed “RoSFest,” prog festival held annually in Gettysburg, PA. This would be the final release featuring vocalist Claire Malin. The live band is essentially the same as the core studio players on the first 2 albums.
The next album had a significant change in the lineup as vocalist Claire Malin was replaced by Linda Odinsen. Also, Richard Cureton is no longer the drummer. The album, “New World,” was released in 2015. Here is the lineup:
- Linda Odinsen / lead & backing vocals
- Dave Cureton / lead & rhythm & acoustic guitars, keyboards, programming, lead & choir vocals
- Adam Gough / keyboards, rhythm & acoustic guitars, Theremin, programming, lead & choir vocals
- Luke Shingler / soprano & tenor saxophones, flute, Electronic Wind Instrument, choir vocals
- Jez King / violin, mandolin
- Christian Nokes / bass, choir vocals
- Christian Jerromes / drums, percussion, choir vocals
With:
- Ed Mann (Formerly of Frank Zappa’s band) / marimba, bass drum, glockenspiel, hammer dulcimer, cymbal, timpani, gong, tubular chimes, percussion arrangement (6)
- Jennie Appleyard / cello
- Steve Trigg / trumpet, flugelhorn
- Miguel Seco / keyboards, mixing
- Wendy Vissers-Hegenbeek / choir vocals
- James Tolly / choir vocals
- Ruel McQueen / narrator voice
Some of my favorite songs on the album include: “New World Suite,” “The Rising,” and “New World.” Unfortunately, as Odinsen is from Norway, and lives about a 24 hour journey from Oslo, which was the closest airport from which Odinsen could fly to Birmingham to work with the band and she would only remain in the line-up until 2016 (for now). The logistics were just too difficult to overcome.
The next album, released in 2018, features vocalist Rosana Lefevre. The album, titled “Solitude,” has a backstory to it, as told in this quote from a Prog Magazine:
Birmingham symphonic prog collective IO Earth’s new album Solitude – a musical exploration of mental health and ability – was first born out of an encounter with an Alzheimer’s patient that was hard to ignore.
“We did a video for a song called Insomnia [from 2015 album New World],” explains Dave Cureton, the band’s guitarist and, alongside pianist Adam Gough, its co-founder. “The video is about a daughter being killed, basically, but we needed a house where it could be set. Long story short, this guy lends us this old house to film in, he was an elderly chap, and his wife had some kind of health issue that involved [advanced] Alzheimer’s. When we were filming she was literally just sat in a chair, staring into space. I don’t even think she knew we were there. These nurses came in to care for her and make sure she was alright, get her ready for bed in the evening. And it kind of hit home, really: this woman was just locked in herself. It didn’t matter that there were 10 people walking around her house with cameras and playback music. That really hit us.”
This is the album whose songs I seem to be the most familiar with. All of the song lengths range between 7:39 and 10:12 (2 tracks at exactly that length). My favorites have been: “Madness,” “Hold On,” Race Against Time,” and “Find a Way.”
Next up in 2020 is “Aura” This album sees another change behind the kit, as drummer Tim Wilson has replaced Christian Jerromes. The songs on this album have been described as “Slow Burning,” and “Cinematic.” The title track reminds me a bit of “Satellite,” by Panic Room.I have also enjoyed the song “Waterfall.” The album also includes a full 18 minute long epic called “The Rain,” which I have not heard yet, but look forward to.
In 2021, IO Earth put together what many would refer to as a “Quarantine album,” as many artists did. The album, titled “Acoustic, Vol. 1”, re-works some of their previous songs for an acoustic setting for half of the tracks, and the other half are all new songs, written specifically for an acoustic arrangement. Of the new material, one song is Called “Streets,” regarding the events of 2020, plus two solo piano pieces and two solo guitar pieces. The reworked pieces include “Aura,” “Take Me,” “Fade to Gray,” “Move as One,” and “Home.” The album features the same core line-up as the “Aura” album.
In 2022, Dave Cureton, released a solo album, titled “State of Mind,”, although it is very nearly an IO Earth album, as Adam Gough plays on it and co-produces. I have never heard the album and just added it to my library. Drummer extraordinaire Marco Minneman and bassist William Kopecky round out the main lineup, augmented by Steve Trigg on trumpet, and Luke Shingler on saxophone. According to reviews, while the album is “guitar forward,” and influenced by Vai, Satriani and Zappa, this isn’t a guitar wank-off. The compositions are reportedly strong and the playing supports the music. (I may have to put this on my list for #scottssongbysong and give a full review of my own.)
2023 saw the release of what is still the most recent IO Earth album, “Sanctuary.” Of special note, this album features the return of Linda Odinsen on lead vocals. Apparently, the band had recorded much of the album before Covid, but were not happy with the results, and decided to re-record it. It is unclear whether Roseanne Lefevre left of her own accord, then they reached out to Odinsen, or if Lefevre is out as a result of Odinsen’s return. Either way, Cureton and Gough seem very happy that the logistics issues of 2015-16 seem to have been resolved and it is easier for Odinsen to travel now. According to Cureton and Gough in “Prog Magazine”:
"Linda still lives in Norway but logistically things are now easier for her to travel, we are all excited to have her back in the studio," explains guitarist Dave Cureton. "I am so pleased that Linda is returning to the band, Adam, Wendy and, I had a great chat with Linda, like the good old days catching up and all four of us realised that the time is right for Linda to continue her musical journey with IO Earth and we cannot wait to start recording her vocals for the new Sanctuary album.”
“We have received a few guide vocal tracks from Linda and it sounds so good. These new songs are taking shape," adds keyboard player Adam Gough. "I know Linda is excited about the new album and she will most definitely put her all into these new songs."
Unfortunately though, in July of 2024, IO Earth had a major setback as their personal recording studio and band headquarters in Birmingham was destroyed by fire. Here is the statement on the band’s webpage:
Birmingham Progressive Band, IO Earth has been struck by a catastrophic event that has left the entire team in shock and grief. On Wednesday, July 17, 2024, a fire broke out in an adjoining unit at the site where IO Earth HQ is located, rapidly spreading and engulfing our beloved studio.
More than 100 firefighters battled the blaze tirelessly for days, but the fire’s ferocity consumed everything in its path. Sixteen years of relentless hard work and dreams … our studio equipment, merchandise stock, and a cherished collection of musical instruments – guitars, drums, keyboards, and more – are destroyed. The impact of this tragedy is profound.
As we navigate this heartbreaking period, IO Earth stands in limbo, with the full impact of the event still sinking in. We are deeply heartbroken and in complete shock.
The band set up a GoFundMe account to receive donations to rebuild. A post on their facebook page from December 1, less than two weeks ago as I type this, indicates that they have a new studio up and running, it reads in part:
Our new space is different—raw, noisy, and unpredictable. Recording here means working in the stillness of the night, finding harmony amid the chaos. But we’re determined to make it ours. Slowly, it’s coming together, and with every step, it feels more like home.
Goodbye, old studio. You’ll always be a part of who we are. Onward to the next chapter.
Also on the Facebook page which shows the band playing a gig on October 8 of this year, so they do seem to be coping well with the tragedy. There is also a cover photo with their logo and the statement: “From the ashes, we will rise again.” I will link the GoFundMe page below if anyone wishes to contribute. Additionally there is a YouTube playlist of videos about the fire and its aftermath. I am looking forward to more wonderful music from this fine “collective.” No matter who is singing or behind the kit, the music has always been high quality and I have enjoyed every song I have heard. As always, I will have “Links for Listening” from each album below. If you are not familiar with IO Earth I hope you’ll take the time to check them out!
The GoFundMe link:
Playlist of videos related to the fire:
Links for Listening:
From “IO Earth”:
“The Creation”
From “Moments”:
“Moments”
“Turn Away”
From “New World”
“New World Suite:
“Colours”
From “Solitude”
“Hold On” (Official Video)
“Find a Way” (Official Video)
From “Aura”
“Waterfall” (Official Video)
From “Acoustic: Volume 1”:
“Streets”(Official Video)
“Mountains”
From “Sanctuary”
“Outside” (Official Video)
“Changes”
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