Ego Likeness

Last updated

Ego Likeness
Ego Likeness high res (Kyle Cassidy).jpg
Ego Likeness pose for their album Breedless
Background information
Origin Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Genres Industrial rock, darkwave
Years active1999–present
Labels
Spinoffs
Members
  • Steven Archer
  • Donna Lynch
  • Mindcage Rick
  • Mike K. Johnson
Past members
  • Justin "Dingo" Sabe
  • Adam Goode
  • Tim McCracken
  • Dave O'Donnell
  • Jenny Mettee
  • Stephanie Kim
  • Jerome Lintz
  • Nick "Konchog Nyima" vonZoll
  • Dan Mullen
  • Amanda Mason
  • Shaun Mason
  • Magpie Killjoy

Ego Likeness is an American darkwave/industrial rock band from Baltimore, Maryland. They were formed in 1999 by artist Steven Archer and writer Donna Lynch.

Contents

History

Early work

Ego Likeness began as an experimental and dark trip hop project. A demo called Songs from a Dead City, recorded on a four-track and self-produced by Archer and Lynch, was released in 1999. [1]

In 2000, Archer and Lynch took the project in a darker electronic and dance direction, resulting in a self-released full-length album entitled Dragonfly under EL's own label, Angelfall.

Dancing Ferret Records

After a short hiatus from recording, a lengthy period of trial, error, revision, and many live performances, Ego Likeness signed with Dancing Ferret Discs for the 2004 release of Water to the Dead . This album featured the band’s electronic roots while exploring a bit of a heavier rock sound.

In 2005, Ego Likeness toured Germany, Luxembourg, and the continental US with Dancing Ferret label mates The Crüxshadows, as well as performing at several festivals on the east and west coast, including Convergence 11 (San Diego CA), Dracula’s Ball (Philadelphia PA), Blacksun Festival I (New Haven CT), Freaks United (DC), Eccentrik Festival I (Raleigh NC), Dragon Con (Atlanta GA), Ring Con (Fulda, Germany) and others.

Their first album, Dragonfly, was also re-released on Dancing Ferret Discs in 2005.

In 2006, Ego Likeness released their third full-length album, The Order of the Reptile , which ventured back into the realms of heavy electronica, a bit of trip hop, some goth rock, and darkwave.

2006 also saw the release of Where's Neil When You Need Him? , a tribute to writer Neil Gaiman, featuring the song "You Better Leave the Stars Alone", written for the book Stardust . The band toured Germany once again and the US with The Crüxshadows and Ayria throughout the winter of 2006 to 2007.

In 2007, Ego Likeness toured Germany, Poland and the UK with Ayria and Angelspit. They have also often performed at sci-fi/fantasy convention Dragon Con, where they are semi-regular guests along with a number of other dark alternative bands.

Ego Likeness also performs regularly at Wicked Faire in Somerset, New Jersey.

The Compass EPs

In 2007, Ego Likeness began self-releasing the first of four EPs, collectively titled The Compass. The first, South , featured new songs and old remixes.

2008 brought about the second of the Compass EPs, West , as well as their single, "The Lowest Place on Earth". This was supported by a US tour throughout late winter and spring.

In 2009, the North EP is released, featuring duet with The Dark Clan and a cover of PJ Harvey's "Down by the Water." Ego Likeness also embarked on a tour as a supporting act for Combichrist and Julien-K.

In 2012, the final EP in the Compass series, East , was released. The EP contained two original tracks, a cover of The Police's "Tea in the Sahara", and seven remixes from various artists including Angelspit and Komor Kommando.

Metropolis Records

2010s

Ego Likeness were signed to Metropolis Records and released their fourth album, Breedless , on April 13, 2010. [2] The album received critical acclaim from music magazines ReGen [3] and Reflections of Darkness. [4]

Ego Likeness has also contributed to multiple volumes of the cancer-benefit compilations, Electronic Saviors.

On August 14, 2012, the first single, "Treacherous Things" for the upcoming album "When the Wolves Return" was released along with a music video for the song directed by Kyle Cassidy. [5] [6]

On October 29, 2013, the group announced on their official Facebook page a Winter 2013 US headlining tour with support from Servitior.

In 2015, "When The Wolves Return" full-length album was released, along with a single featuring a dozen remixes of the album track "New Legion."

After a brief period of inactivity (in deference to other projects) the duo released the Wolves EP in 2020 [7] and a single covering Madonna's track, "Live to Tell," in 2023. [8]

Additional background

Ego Likeness have also shared the stage with Voltaire, The Damned, Chris Connelly, Collide, Razed in Black, Bella Morte, Das Ich, Rasputina, The Start, Iris, Decoded Feedback, The Azoic, More Machine Than Man, In Strict Confidence, Combichrist, New Model Army, Attriton, The Last Dance, Peter Murphy, and many others.

Other projects

Writing

Lynch wrote a dark fiction novel entitled Isabel Burning, released through Raw Dog Screaming Press in 2008. The plot deals with incest and selective breeding, and is heavily influenced by works such as Daphne Du Maurier's Rebecca. Lynch also released two collections of poetry, In My Mouth (2000), and Ladies and Other Vicious Creatures (RDSP, 2007). A novella called Driving Through the Desert was released on Thunderstorm Books in April 2012. Lynch published several more poetry collections including Witches (2018), Choking Back the Devil (2019), and Girls from the County (2022), each of which were nominated for Bran Stoker Awards. [9] [10]

Archer has released a children's book entitled Luna Maris and a steampunk fable chapbook titled Red King Black Rook in 2008. He is an accomplished visual artist whose collage-based work has appeared in numerous galleries and in Weird Tales magazine. In 2021, Archer was nominated and became a finalist for a Bram Stoker Award for his graphic novel adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's Masque of the Red Death. [11] [12]

Hopeful Machines

Archer is also the creator of the electronic/ noise project Hopeful Machines [13] which was signed to Washington, DC–based label Radio-Active-Music in late 2008. Hopeful Machines' first hard copy album, ::Skinless::, was released in December 2008. [2]

Stoneburner

Steven Archer is also the creator of the solo project Stoneburner, which incorporates elements of experimental noise, industrial rock, ethereal, trip hop, and worldbeat. [14] Stoneburner's output explores themes of neurodiversity [15] as well as social issues such as abortion rights and anti-racism, [16] and has included homages to media such as Donna Tartt's The Secret History and Peter Watts' Blindsight. [17] [18]

The Trinity Project

Archer and Lynch are also the creators of the experimental/instrumental/spoken word outfit The Trinity Project.

Personal lives

Steven Archer and Donna Lynch have both raised hairless sphynx cats. [19] In addition, they are both ordained ministers of the Universal Life Church.

Lynch has also been open about her struggles with mood disorders, fibromyalgia, and Lyme disease. [20] [21]

Archer is openly on the autism spectrum, and has advocated for increased public understanding of both the creative potential of autistic individuals and the stigma autistic individuals face. [15]

Members

Current

Past

Discography

Studio albums

YearTitleLabel
1999Songs from a Dead CityDemo
2000 Dragonfly Angelfall Music
2004 Water to the Dead Noir Records
2006 The Order of the Reptile Dancing Ferrett
2010 Breedless Metropolis
2015 When the Wolves Return Metropolis
2016The Compass EPsMetropolis
2018Songs From A Dead CityMetropolis

EPs

Singles

Remixes by Ego Likeness

Guest appearances

Compilation appearances

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Covenant (band)</span> Swedish electronic band

Covenant is a Swedish electronic band formed in Helsingborg in 1986. The band is currently composed of Eskil Simonsson and Joakim Montelius in the studio, while live shows consist of Simonsson along with touring members Chad Hauger, Daniel Jonasson, Andreas Catjar and Daniel Myer of Haujobb.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Crüxshadows</span> American dark wave/dark synthpop band

The Crüxshadows is an American dark wave and synthpop band currently based in Jacksonville, Florida, United States. They made their debut with the album ...Night Crawls In (1993), and have since released such albums as Telemetry of a Fallen Angel (1996), DreamCypher (2007), As the Dark Against My Halo (2012), and Astromythology. The band has an international fanbase and has toured North America, Europe, and Asia.

The Last Dance is an American dark wave band from Southern California that was for several years signed to the now-defunct Dancing Ferret Discs label. Formed in 1990, they have released five albums, an EP, a remix album, and a documentary film was made of them in 2007 titled Almost Beautiful. Along with former labelmates the Crüxshadows and Ego Likeness, the band remains one of the more popular groups associated with the third wave of the gothic rock movement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bella Morte</span> American gothic band

Bella Morte is a gothic rock band formed in 1996 in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States. They incorporate elements of metal, dark wave, deathrock, alternative, and synthpop. The band's name means "Beautiful Death" in Italian language. According to the band's vocalist, Andy Deane, the name was chosen to suggest that "beauty can be found in tragedy", which is a re-occurring theme in Bella Morte's albums.

The Dancing Ferret entertainment group is an unofficial collective name for Dancing Ferret Discs and Dancing Ferret Concerts. It was started by Patrick Rodgers in 1995 with the formation of Dancing Ferret Concerts. The company markets bands from the gothic rock, heavy metal, alternative rock, neo-Medieval, trip hop, and industrial genres of music.

ThouShaltNot were an American electronic band formed in 1998. Their core lineup consisted of Alex Reed, Aaron Fuleki, and Jeremy Long. The band's musical style blended elements of post-punk, gothic rock, industrial, and synthpop. Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, they were signed to Dancing Ferret Discs. The group released four studio albums before disbanding in 2013, with Reed and Fuleki continuing to record music under the name Seeming.

<i>Then and Again</i> 2004 studio album by Voltaire

Then and Again is the fourth studio album by Cuban American dark cabaret singer Voltaire, released on October 26, 2004, through Projekt Records. Contrasting with most of Voltaire's albums, on which his songs are mostly humorous and satirical, Then and Again features more serious and introspective songs, dealing about love, heartbreak and the human condition.

<i>Wheres Neil When You Need Him?</i> 2006 compilation album by various

Where's Neil When You Need Him? is a tribute album based on the works of fantasy writer Neil Gaiman.

<i>Water to the Dead</i> 2004 studio album by Ego Likeness

Water to the Dead is an album by the gothic rock band Ego Likeness. Released in 2004 on Dancing Ferret Discs, the album takes a more rock approach to their established electronic sound. The name Water to the Dead was, like the band's name, taken from the book Dune by Frank Herbert.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angelspit</span> Australian electronic band

Angelspit is an Australian electronic music band originally from Sydney and currently based in Chicago. The band was formed in 2004 by vocalists/synthesists Destroyx and ZooG. The band's music combines stylistic elements of horror, punk, pop and electronic music. Their work contains imagery revolving around medical experiments and grotesque societies. Angelspit has toured with Angel Theory, Ayria, Ikon, KMFDM, Tankt and The Crüxshadows, and have also shared the stage with bands such as The Sisters of Mercy, Nitzer Ebb, Skinny Puppy and Front Line Assembly. They performed with Lords of Acid during a 22-date U.S. tour in March 2011 and toured the United States with Blood on the Dance Floor in October 2011.

<i>DreamCypher</i> 2007 studio album by The Crüxshadows

DreamCypher is a 2007 album by The Crüxshadows, released on Dancing Ferret Discs.

<i>Tears</i> (The Crüxshadows album) 2001 EP by The Crüxshadows

Tears is an EP by The Crüxshadows released in 2001 on Dancing Ferret Discs. The album contains the eponymous single from the band's Wishfire album and an acoustic version of "Heaven's Gaze" from their 1999 album The Mystery of the Whisper.

Boole is an electronic hybrid act formed in 1996 by Brad Barkett and Mike Barkett at Loyola College in Baltimore, Maryland. The band was formed as a foray into explorations of post-modern forms of popular dance music, in contrast to Brad Barkett's experimental music project formed in 1990, The Apologizers. The current live lineup consists of Brad Barkett and Mike Barkett on vocals and saxophones.

<i>South</i> (EP) 2007 EP by Ego Likeness

South is the fifth album by Ego Likeness and is the first in their Compass EP series. It was self-released in 2007 and was available for purchase only at tour locations or through their website. Only 300 copies were pressed and were individually numbered and autographed. According to the official website, the album is sold out but the songs are to be rereleased at a later date.

<i>East</i> (EP) 2012 EP by Ego Likeness

East is the fourth EP by darkwave band Ego Likeness. It was the final Compass EP to be released, marking the end of the series. The EP had a limited pressing of 300 copies and was independently released on July 3, 2012, through the band's official website.

<i>As the Dark Against My Halo</i> 2012 studio album by The Crüxshadows

As the Dark Against My Halo is a 2012 studio album by The Crüxshadows, released by Wishfire Records. It was also available at the last concerts of their tour.

<i>Raised by Bats</i> 2014 studio album by Voltaire

Raised by Bats is the tenth studio album by Cuban American dark cabaret singer Voltaire, released in 2014. The album's production was crowdfunded by Voltaire's fans all over the world via a successful Indiegogo campaign; it would reach US$53,793, surpassing its originally intended goal of US$10,000. The album is a major departure of Voltaire's musical style; instead of his usual dark cabaret style, Raised by Bats is more deathrock- and gothic rock-oriented. According to Voltaire in his official website:

In truth, it's a tour of all of the kinds of music I loved growing up. There are songs on this album that are goth rock, deathrock, new wave, New Romantic, dark wave and dark folk. It's the album I've always wanted to make. Some of the songs were written as far back as 1984, when I was 17 years old!

Bella Lune is a darkwave/dreampop band that was formed in 2007 in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. The band incorporates elements of darkwave, post-punk, synthpop, shoegaze, and ethereal music to create a dreamlike trance throughout their sound. Bella Lune cites many 80s post-punk and new wave bands as influences, including The Cure, Joy Division, Depeche Mode, Cocteau Twins, New Order, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Bauhaus, and Love and Rockets.

The Gothsicles is an American industrial and electronic body music (EBM) band formerly based out of Chicago, Illinois before moving to Boston, Massachusetts in 2018. The group was formed in Wisconsin in 2002 by Brian "darkNES" Graupner, who handles vocals and synthesizers, and is the sole consistent member. The band has a rotating lineup of live musicians, including Matt Fanale of Caustic, Matt Slegel of Angelspit, and David Dodson of Abstinence. The band released its first LP, NESferatu, in 2006. Following albums included Sega Lugosi's Dead (2009), Industrialites & Magic (2011), Squid Icarus (2014), and I Feel Sicle, which was released on November 4, 2016. According to COMA Music Magazine, "The Gothsicles are one of the forerunners in Industrial Music for the Nerdy Masses."

Jenny Mettee is an American multi-instrumentalist.

References

  1. Ego Likeness biography on Metropolis Records. Metropolis-records.com. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
  2. 1 2 Ego Likeness Official Site. Egolikeness.com. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
  3.  ReGen Magazine ReGen Magazine". Archive.is. September 8, 2012. Archived from the original on September 8, 2012. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
  4. Reflections of Darkness Breedless Review. Reflectionsofdarkness.com (April 15, 2010). Retrieved April 26, 2012.
  5. "Ego Likeness Releases New Video, Announce Upcoming Album!". Metropolis. August 16, 2012. Retrieved October 21, 2012.
  6. Ego Likeness Treacherous Thing 2012 YouTube
  7. Inferno Sound Diaries (September 25, 2020). "Ego Likeness – Wolves (EP – Metropolis)". Side-Line Music Magazine. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  8. Yücel, Ilker (April 5, 2023). "Ego Likeness returns with new single covering 1986 hit from Madonna". ReGen Magazine. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  9. "Lynch, Donna". The Bram Stoker Awards. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  10. Canter, Christopher, ed. (Spring 2021). "Donna Lynch". Procession Magazine (2): 50, 52.
  11. "The 2020 Bram Stoker Awards® Final Ballot". Thebramstokerawards.com. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  12. "Here are the finalists for the 2020 Bram Stoker Award". Lithub.com. February 22, 2021.
  13. "Arts Of Darkness: Steven Archer". Intravenousmag.co.uk. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  14. "COP International Records announces signing of Stoneburner (Aka Steven Archer from Ego Likeness) + new album to be produced by John Fryer". Side-line.com. February 23, 2021.
  15. 1 2 "Spectrum, by Stoneburner". Stoneburnerofficial.bandcamp.com.
  16. "Protest – skin contact". Skincon.fstateaudio.com. May 8, 2022.
  17. "No Moods, Ads or Cutesy Fucking Icons » the Belligerence of Stoneburner". Rifters.com.
  18. Canter, Christopher, ed. (Spring 2021). "Steven Archer". Procession Magazine (2): 49, 51.
  19. "News - Tour Updates". Egolikeness.com.
  20. "SEASON OF THE WITCH: AN INTERVIEW WITH DONNA LYNCH WITH DAVID E. COWEN, BRAM STOKER NOMINEE FOR BLEEDING SAFFRON" (PDF). Horror.org. Retrieved May 25, 2022.
  21. "Ego Likeness 'When the Wolves Return' Album Stream (Exclusive Premiere)". Bloody-disgusting.com. July 7, 2015.