iko

Fallout. Rebirth. Call it what you like. When the remaining members of Buffseeds returned from their global adventures the hangover was substantial. Having been featured on hit American dramas 'Grey's Anatomy' and 'One Tree Hill', played Glastonbury Festival and toured the world, the reality that greeted the now defunct outfit was depressing. Nightshifts, manual labour, migraines and alcohol seemed to replace the buzz of the New York gigs, the record company handshakes and air miles. These feelings were funnelled into the band's debut album 'I Am Zero'. A start point. A place to begin. Their newly chosen band name 'iko' (an ancient Japanese word meaning 'orphan') cast a fitting shadow over the proceedings with an album littered with devastation. Icebergs, spacewalks, lost love, broken signals and dying romance seemed to haunt the songs in a way even the band found surprising. But amongst the sadness they carved an army of admirers, a warmth from fans who seemed to deeply connect not only to the band's sentiment but also the band members themselves.
So when approaching their new album 'Ludo Says Hi' Kieran Scragg, singer and lyricist, wanted something more. He'd always been concerned that the music 'comes from a real place'. There is no room in iko's world for fakery. Growing up as an admirer of Jeff Buckley and Radiohead, Scragg had always craved the ability to truly sing from the heart. The three year period over which the album was written would provide enough heartache to last a lifetime. Relationship break-ups, depression, anxiety attacks and a constant search for self became the canvas upon which the new album was written. Most of the pain was self inflicted by his own admission but it only further fuelled his desire to see reality in what he sang, mainly because he strongly believes in music as a carthatic power. Two years of writing, one year of pre-production and recording and the beast was slain. Make no mistake about it, some serious demons were stamped down during these sessions.
Recorded with Sean Genockey at Peter Gabriel's 'Real World Studios' and Genockey's own 'Blackdog Studio' in Worcester Park, iko had made the album they'd always dreamed of making. The presence of their hometown Exeter can be felt throughout the fibres of the new record. From the Odeon cinema steps where Kieran discussed love with his friend Erica to the hills of Dartmoor in the heart-warming closer 'Once More, With Feeling' the journey of 'Ludo Says Hi' is both emotional and grounded in real people. A grown up album, proud of its post-rock roots, the early influences of The Cure, Smashing Pumpkins and Neil Young can be heard with honourable tips of the hats.
Iko combine that rare ability to mix sensitivity with bite and as such 'Ludo Says Hi' with its messy nights out, airport departure lounge regrets and desperate search for light hits both the head and the heart at once and leaves an echo long after it has been heard.