Album Review and Interview: Shapes & Sounds is an Impressive Debut from Glasgow Band IKARI
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Glasgow band IKARI are no strangers to working the music scene in Glasgow, playing in legendary music venues like King Tut’s and Ivory Blacks, so perhaps it’s no surprise that their debut album Shapes & Sounds suggests a maturity that many bands on the scene take years to master.
The album impressively showcases the range of musical talent the band have to offer even in this early stage of a promising career, with a finely-tuned mix of rock genres. Made up of melodic tracks with a clear metalcore and post hardcore influence, the album reminds me of the newer offerings of bands like The Amity Affliction (think Misery, 2018) and The Color Morale (think Desolate Divine, 2016) whilst retaining a vibe similar to that of fellow Scots Biffy Clyro or California rockers Thrice.
Bands like The Amity Affliction, Bring Me the Horizon, and even heavyweights Linkin Park defined themselves very early on in their career with particular genres only to turn to softer vocals and less aggressive instrumentals, struggling to outgrow their earlier labels and facing backlash from fans in the process. IKARI seem savvy enough to know what music they want to make and what message they want to send even in the band’s youth and have artfully avoided staying rigidly within one genre. Shapes & Sounds is an exceptionally good debut album that shows off the band’s talent at heavier breakdowns and vocals as well as their slower paced, more emotional tracks.
IKARI’s debut album Shapes & Sounds is out NOW, available for purchase here.
For fans of: Biffy Clyro, Thrice, Fightstar, A Day to Remember, Novelists.
For fans of: Biffy Clyro, Thrice, Fightstar, A Day to Remember, Novelists.
Top picks: Chapters, Your Name, Monolith, If I Close My Eyes, No Longer Human.
I got chatting with IKARI vocalist and guitarist, Kris, about the new album, mental health, and the Glasgow music scene.
Q. So, what’s the story behind the name “IKARI”?
A. We went through a number of working title names before we settled [on IKARI]. I’d spent a while writing songs using an anime called Evangelion as a subject matter. On the surface it’s about kids piloting robots and trying to save the world but digging deep it tackles a lot of mental health subjects, relationships, and ultimately has a very dark and weird undertone. The guys knew it fascinated me so much and supported the use of the subject matter. It was actually our bass player that said one day ‘Why don’t we just call ourselves IKARI’ and so it was written!
Q. The album is very mixed genre-wise; there are clear elements of traditional metalcore/post hardcore but also more melodic tracks. What is your creative process like and who are your biggest musical influences?
A. The creative process can really differ depending on what comes to the table first. I’ll usually have a riff, maybe a chorus hook, or even an idea of the kind of song I want to try and write. Our drummer, Chris, and I spent a lot of time song-writing and demoing songs at his house on the run up to the album. It’s nice to just sit with instruments, some recording software and just bounce ideas back and forth until we have something that sticks.
We probably had close to 30 demos, some complete and some incomplete that we then narrowed down to the tracks that made it on the album. It’s a bit of a blessing doing it this way because we can listen to it back, over and over, to see if we really like it. Sometimes months later we’ll think of something new and it changes the whole thing up. That really makes the actual recording process so much easier too, because for the most part, we’ve ironed out the creases so we’re just focusing on playing the best we can and getting the most out of our time there. That being said, there’s a good few moments on the album that came out of last minute ideas in the studio, little vocal parts, lead guitar sections and such. That’s the joy of music though!
Inspiration wise, I’ve got a good handful of people I respect for different reasons. Goes without saying that Chester [Bennington] was a massive influence on me both musically and as a person. Charlie Simpson of Busted/Fightstar really helped shape my song writing and vocal style in later years. Biffy Clyro were probably the first band that helped me feel comfortable about opening up on mental health issues. Deftones and Thrice both for their sense of atmosphere and melody. Those are 2 really big things for me and I hope that comes across in our music too! Haha.
Q. You’re active in the mental health community online – do you see that aspect of yourself reflected in the music you help to create and perform?
A. It’s a bit of a weird one because music used to always be an escape and I never really used to address mental health in my songs. Now that the message is there, as much as I want to make it a personal story I also wanted to make sure there was a good level of mystery so people can find their own meaning in them. Some of my favourite songs follow the same idea, so I’ll blame them haha.
It’s not something I’m opposed to discussing however, so I think in that aspect I’m thankful to have the chance to maybe shed some light on my own thoughts and issues that I maybe didn’t get the outlet to do before. I’m really thankful to be making music with my 3 closest friends. Their support in not only letting me tackle these issues in our music but also genuinely just being there and having my back is such a big deal. I don’t think I’d be talking about this right now without the 3 of them and their efforts.
Q. What relationship do you think exists between music and mental health?
A. I think there’s a massive connection between the two, especially since music can really spark emotion regardless of the message and genre. If you’ve then got a certain subject that someone can relate to then I think it really helps that person deal with whatever they’re going through.
"As far back as I can remember I’ve had music there as an emotional crutch when I’ve needed it. I’m sure many people feel the same!"
Q. What has been the biggest challenge you and the band have faced in getting to your debut album launch?
A. Can I say money? Haha. It’s really hard to get 4 people in full time employment stretched across the central belt of Scotland together to practice and go over things. We really had to manage our time efficiently and make sure we all had something to chip away at. In the end it all worked out though. We all have different things we bring to the band, musically and otherwise. It’s really satisfying to see the whole thing come together as a final product.
Q. Glasgow was named a UNESCO City of Music in 2008; how do you feel the music scene in the city has shaped your music career? Has it helped or presented challenges for newer bands?
A. Honestly, it’s had a bigger impact than I think I’d realised until this question was asked. When writing I’ll always imagine in my head how they might go across live, or what my favourite bits would be to play or sing. [Playing at] King Tut’s was a big one for me as it was my go-to imagination show haha. The fact it then became the first venue we played as a band was monumental for me. That was a really special night.
Q. In your opinion, what threat does the closure of smaller, independent music venues pose to newer bands and the UK music industry as a whole?
A. Apart from the obvious lack of places to play, I think it’s very disheartening knowing that there are less places out there to cut your teeth on.
"Glasgow’s very lucky and still has a number of fantastic venues like Bloc, Stereo, Garage Attic where we’ve been fortunate to play and those places are supported by such genuine, hardworking people who have an interest in the local scene."
Q. What message do you hope that Shapes & Sounds sends out about the band and about life in general?
A. I know we all feel like Shapes & Sounds really represents where we’re at as a band and what we have to offer. It tackles topics that we’re really passionate about and if anyone enjoys or can relate to what we’re putting across then that would mean the world to us.
"If even just one person feels the way about this record as I do with any of my favourites, then I’ve achieved everything I could [hope to] with this release."
Q. What advice would you give to someone hoping to break into the music scene?
A. Honestly, just start creating!
There are so many tools and resources available that you can get started in your bedroom with a smart phone or a laptop. The same tools that made it really easy for us to collaborate are the exact same thing that people all around the world are using to release music online.
"There’s never been a more accessible time to create."
Recording software, recording videos on your phone, watching YouTube videos, it’s all there for you to soak up and learn from. It's easy to wait for the right opportunity, but you’ve no idea when that’s coming. So just start.
Q. If you could tour with any band in the world right now, who would it be and why?
A. Thrice. Hands down, I don’t even need a moment to think. They’re such a big influence on me and Dustin’s really helped shape my outlook and mindset in the last 5-6 years. Musically they’re one of the most interesting bands making ‘rock’ music and I still haven’t seen them play!
Q. Funniest or most memorable moment of being in IKARI?
A. We’re all really big meme loving idiots, so a lot of our stand out funny moments are going to come from that. We have a lot of running inside jokes and I love when the 4 of us get together and we get to relax a bit. Recording our Kickstarter video for Shapes & Sounds took us about 4 or 5 hours because we just kept cracking up. We started off outside and had to go in and start again because it got dark!
On a memorable note, our first show at King Tut’s was really special. Lots of love in that room, lots of voices singing songs that were barely a year old and it was definitely a night that the 4 of us knew we had created something special.
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