“The world needs so many more female musicians,” said Ariel, lead singer of Icon for Hire before their concert at UIS.
As a female fronted band, and a rock band at that, she feels that they are “set apart right from the beginning.” Which she explained could either be a good thing or a bad thing; it can be a “double edged sword,” as she put it. As a band, they are attempting to show that female leads can rock just as hard as male lead groups.
Icon for Hire is a four member band out of Decatur, IL. Band members include lead singer Ariel, who prefers a mononym because she likes how simple and easy just one name is, even stating that she likes to sign things as just REL. Guitarist Shawn Jump, bassist Josh Kincheloe, and drummer Adam Kronshagen complete Icon for Hire.
They have been active since 2007 and their last album, Scripted, came out in August of 2011. Ariel stated that the messages of their album were, to take responsibility for your own life and choose how you react to the things that happen to you. “Your life can go either way; you have the power to change it,” she explained.
Icon for Hire has become a part of the Tooth and Nail record label, for which they are happy for and struggling with. “They’ve been really good to us,” Ariel said, “They let us do what we want.”
The downside to being on the label is that they can get grouped in with the other artists represented by Tooth and Nail. Ariel said that they are working to show the top dogs that they are different. “We want to be different,” she said.
The band only gets to do local shows around once a year according to Ariel. This is due to the fact that they are usually on a specific touring schedule for whoever they are on the road with, and they only reach larger cities.
They were grateful to UIS for having them, and were excited for the show. They even stated at the concert that the audience was the best they have had in Springfield in a number of years.
The band likes to travel and tour as well. Jump’s favorite part is meeting new people and cultures. He likes to try new foods, as he did recently in Amsterdam and Seattle. Ariel likes cities and being able to walk around a downtown and experience the culture.
Wondering what the bands favorite song to perform is? Well, for most of them, the favorite was an easy reply with “Pieces.” Jump also enjoys “Up in Flames.”
The band did a number of their hits, as well as slowing things down for a unique experience. For one song, Ariel and Jump sat down, as did the audience, for an intimate performance of a song. This was possible, because unlike other venues, the audience could get right up near the stage, with some actually sitting on the stage for the performance.
After the show, Icon for Hire stuck around to sign merchandise and talk with fans. Nearly everyone who attended the performance stayed to get to know the band better.
Icon for Hire will be doing their first all-ages show in a while, Ariel announced. Icon for Hire will be in their hometown on Nov. 24, in the Lincoln (Square) Theater. For more information on this show, or just to stay in touch with the band, head to their Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/iconforhireofficial.
