Ego Likeness
Encyclopedia
Ego Likeness are an American darkwave
/industrial rock
band from Baltimore
, Maryland. They were formed in 1999 by artist Steven Archer and writer Donna Lynch.
’s classic science fiction
novel Dune
, Ego Likeness began as an experimental/ 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.
In 2000, Archer and Lynch took the project in a darker electronic/ dance direction, resulting in a self-released full length album entitled 'Dragonfly
' under EL's own label, Angelfall.
’. 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), Black Sun 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 2006-2007.
In 2007, Ego Likeness toured Germany
, Poland
and the UK with Ayria
and Angelspit
. They also performed at sci-fi/fantasy convention Dragon Con
.
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
.
, on April 13, 2010. The album received critical acclaim from music magazines ReGen and Reflections of Darkness. Ego Likeness also appeared as one of 83 artists on the cancer-benefit compilation, Electronic Saviors.
, 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.
Archer and Lynch are also the creators of the experimental/instrumental/spoken word outfit The Trinity Project. Archer is the creator of the atmospheric electronica project Hopeful Machines.
with their hairless cats.
Lynch has written a dark fiction novel entitled Isabel Burning, released through Raw Dog Screaming Press in 2008. She has also released two collections of poetry, "In My Mouth" (2000), and "Ladies and Other Vicious Creatures" (RDSP, 2007).
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. He periodically DJs at venues in Baltimore and DC, and performs with the DC industrial band BlindTillNow. He is also the creator of the electronic/ noise project Hopeful Machines and continues to show art in various venues on the east coast. Additionally, Hopeful Machines was signed to Washington, DC based label Radio-Active-Music
in late 2008. Hopeful Machine's first hard copy album, ::Skinless::, was released in December 2008.
Darkwave
Dark Wave or darkwave is a music genre that began in the late 1970s, coinciding with the popularity of New Wave and post-punk. Building on those basic principles, dark wave added dark, introspective lyrics and an undertone of sorrow for some bands...
/industrial rock
Industrial rock
Industrial rock is a musical genre that fuses industrial music and specific rock subgenres. Industrial rock spawned industrial metal, with which it is often confused...
band from Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, Maryland. They were formed in 1999 by artist Steven Archer and writer Donna Lynch.
Early Work
Taking their name from Frank HerbertFrank Herbert
Franklin Patrick Herbert, Jr. was a critically acclaimed and commercially successful American science fiction author. Although a short story author, he is best known for his novels, most notably Dune and its five sequels...
’s classic science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
novel Dune
Dune (novel)
Dune is a science fiction novel written by Frank Herbert, published in 1965. It won the Hugo Award in 1966, and the inaugural Nebula Award for Best Novel...
, Ego Likeness began as an experimental/ dark trip hop
Trip hop
Trip hop is a music genre consisting of downtempo electronic music which originated in the early 1990s in England, especially Bristol. Deriving from "post"-acid house, the term was first used by the British music media and press as a way to describe the more experimental variant of breakbeat which...
project. A demo called ‘Songs from a Dead City
Songs From a Dead City
Songs from a Dead City is an album by the gothic rock band Ego Likeness.Recorded with minimal outboard gear on a fourtrack, 'Songs from a Dead City' was the first recording by Ego Likeness. Released in 1999 on a limited run of hand made cassette tapes and CD-Rs, the album was never officially...
’, recorded on a four track and self-produced by Archer and Lynch, was released in 1999.
In 2000, Archer and Lynch took the project in a darker electronic/ dance direction, resulting in a self-released full length album entitled 'Dragonfly
Dragonfly (Ego Likeness album)
Dragonfly is an album by the gothic rock band Ego Likeness.Dragonfly, released in 2000 on the band's own record label Angelfall Music, is the band's first full length CD...
' 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 DeadWater to the Dead
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.The album also...
’. This album featured the band’s electronic roots while exploring a bit of a heavier rock sound.
In 2005, Ego Likeness toured Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
, and the continental US with Dancing Ferret label mates The Crüxshadows
The Crüxshadows
The Crüxshadows is an Dark Electro group from Florida. Their sound is made up of a combination of male vocals, electric violin, guitar, and synth...
, as well as performing at several festivals on the east and west coast, including Convergence 11 (San Diego CA), Dracula’s Ball (Philadelphia PA), Black Sun Festival I (New Haven CT), Freaks United (DC), Eccentrik Festival I (Raleigh NC), Dragon Con
Dragon Con
Dragon*Con is a North America multigenre convention, founded in 1987, which takes place once each year in Atlanta, Georgia...
(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
The Order of the Reptile
The Order of the Reptile is an album by the gothic rock band Ego Likeness. It was released on July 4, 2006 on Dancing Ferret Discs.- Track listing :# Weave# Burn Witch Burn# Smothered# Aviary# Save Your Serpent# Severine# World of Shame...
’, which ventured back into the realms of heavy electronica, a bit of trip hop
Trip hop
Trip hop is a music genre consisting of downtempo electronic music which originated in the early 1990s in England, especially Bristol. Deriving from "post"-acid house, the term was first used by the British music media and press as a way to describe the more experimental variant of breakbeat which...
, some goth rock, and darkwave
Darkwave
Dark Wave or darkwave is a music genre that began in the late 1970s, coinciding with the popularity of New Wave and post-punk. Building on those basic principles, dark wave added dark, introspective lyrics and an undertone of sorrow for some bands...
.
2006 also saw the release of Where's Neil When You Need Him?
Where's Neil When You Need Him?
Where's Neil When You Need Him? is a tribute album based on the works of fantasy writer Neil Gaiman.-Overview:The album was released on Dancing Ferret Discs on July 18, 2006. The CD has cover art by Dave McKean and extensive new liner notes from Neil Gaiman.The album's title was taken from the song...
, a tribute to writer Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman
Neil Richard Gaiman born 10 November 1960)is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book...
, featuring the song ‘You Better Leave the Stars Alone’, written for the book Stardust
Stardust (novel)
Stardust is the first solo prose novel by Neil Gaiman. It is usually published as a novel with illustrations by Charles Vess. Stardust has a different tone and style from most of Gaiman's prose fiction, being consciously written in the tradition of pre-Tolkien English fantasy, following in the...
. The band toured Germany once again and the US with The Crüxshadows
The Crüxshadows
The Crüxshadows is an Dark Electro group from Florida. Their sound is made up of a combination of male vocals, electric violin, guitar, and synth...
and Ayria
Ayria
Ayria, pronounced area, is a Canadian futurepop/synthpop musical project formed in early 2003 by Toronto's Jennifer Parkin following her departure from Epsilon Minus.-Biography:The first Ayria album, Debris, was released on Alfa Matrix in 2003....
throughout the winter of 2006-2007.
In 2007, Ego Likeness toured Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
and the UK with Ayria
Ayria
Ayria, pronounced area, is a Canadian futurepop/synthpop musical project formed in early 2003 by Toronto's Jennifer Parkin following her departure from Epsilon Minus.-Biography:The first Ayria album, Debris, was released on Alfa Matrix in 2003....
and Angelspit
Angelspit
Angelspit is a cyberpunk band from Sydney, Australia. The band was formed in 2004 by vocalists/synthesists Destroyx and ZooG...
. They also performed at sci-fi/fantasy convention Dragon Con
Dragon Con
Dragon*Con is a North America multigenre convention, founded in 1987, which takes place once each year in Atlanta, Georgia...
.
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
PJ Harvey
Polly Jean Harvey is an English musician, singer-songwriter, composer and occasional artist. Primarily known as a vocalist and guitarist, she is also proficient with a wide range of instruments including piano, organ, bass, saxophone, and most recently, the autoharp.Harvey began her career in...
's "Down by the Water." Ego Likeness also embarked on a tour as a supporting act for Combichrist
CombiChrist
Combichrist is a Norwegian Aggrotech band formed in 2003 by Norwegian Andy LaPlegua based in Atlanta.-Formation:The first material LaPlegua wrote was a few powernoise/techno crossover tracks under the moniker DRIVE...
and Julien-K
Julien-K
Julien-K is a music group that began as a side project for electronic music created by Amir Derakh and Ryan Shuck from Orgy, with the later addition of Elias Andra, and Anthony 'Fu' Valcic....
.
Metropolis Records
In 2010, Ego Likeness were signed to Metropolis Records and released their newest album, BreedlessBreedless (album)
Breedless is the eighth album by the gothic rock band Ego Likeness, released on April 13, 2010. It is their first release after being signed to Metropolis Records.- Track listing :# Sirens and Satellites – 5:29# Breedless – 4:02# Inferno – 3:56...
, on April 13, 2010. The album received critical acclaim from music magazines ReGen and Reflections of Darkness. Ego Likeness also appeared as one of 83 artists on the cancer-benefit compilation, Electronic Saviors.
Additional Background
Ego Likeness have also shared the stage with Voltaire, The Damned, Chris ConnellyChris Connelly
Chris Connelly is a Scottish musician who became famous for his industrial music work of the late 1980s and early 1990s, particularly his involvement with the Revolting Cocks and Ministry. He has since established himself as a talented alternative singer-songwriter...
, Collide, Razed in Black
Razed in Black
Razed in Black is an gothic electronic music act created by Romell Regulacion and is supported in live performances by band members Chris Nelson and Raj Kapololu....
, Bella Morte
Bella Morte
Bella Morte is a gothic band that was formed in 1996 in Charlottesville, Virginia. They also incorporate elements of metal, darkwave, deathrock, alternative, and synthpop. The name is Italian for "beautiful death."...
, Das Ich
Das Ich
Das Ich is a German electronic music group formed in 1989. The group, fronted by Stefan Ackermann and Bruno Kramm, were one of the prominent founders of and contributors to "Neue Deutsche Todeskunst" a musical movement in the early 1990s...
, Rasputina, The Start, Iris, Decoded Feedback
Decoded Feedback
Decoded Feedback is a Canadian musical project which incorporates styles of electro-industrial and aggrotech. The duo currently releases music on the North American distributor Metropolis Records, and the European record label Out of Line.-History:...
, The Azoic
The Azoic
The Azoic is an electronic dance band that was formed by Steve Laskarides, Shawn Lower, and Kristy Venrick in February 1996.-History:In October 1996, they received a record contract from Worm Records and released their first CD, The Divine Sufferin, in April 1997. Shawn left the band in early 1998...
, More Machine Than Man, In Strict Confidence
In Strict Confidence
In Strict Confidence is a German electro-industrial band. Formed in 1989/1990, they were known as Seal of Secrecy until 1992. In Strict Confidence has been signed to several record labels, including Metropolis Records and WTII Records.-History:...
, Combichrist
CombiChrist
Combichrist is a Norwegian Aggrotech band formed in 2003 by Norwegian Andy LaPlegua based in Atlanta.-Formation:The first material LaPlegua wrote was a few powernoise/techno crossover tracks under the moniker DRIVE...
, New Model Army
New Model Army
The New Model Army of England was formed in 1645 by the Parliamentarians in the English Civil War, and was disbanded in 1660 after the Restoration...
, Attriton
Attrition (band)
Attrition are an electronic music band, formed in Coventry, England in 1980 by Martin Bowes and Julia Niblock. The band emerged from the experimental post-punk scene of the early 1980s and, along with other groups such as Throbbing Gristle, Coil, Einstürzende Neubauten, and In the Nursery, greatly...
, The Last Dance, Peter Murphy
Peter Murphy (musician)
Peter John Murphy is an English rock vocalist. He was the vocalist of the rock group Bauhaus, and later went on to release a number of solo albums, such as Deep and Love Hysteria...
, and many others.
Archer and Lynch are also the creators of the experimental/instrumental/spoken word outfit The Trinity Project. Archer is the creator of the atmospheric electronica project Hopeful Machines.
Personal lives
Archer and Lynch have been married since October 1999 and currently live in MarylandMaryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
with their hairless cats.
Lynch has written a dark fiction novel entitled Isabel Burning, released through Raw Dog Screaming Press in 2008. She has also released two collections of poetry, "In My Mouth" (2000), and "Ladies and Other Vicious Creatures" (RDSP, 2007).
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
Weird Tales
Weird Tales is an American fantasy and horror fiction pulp magazine first published in March 1923. It ceased its original run in September 1954, after 279 issues, but has since been revived. The magazine was set up in Chicago by J. C. Henneberger, an ex-journalist with a taste for the macabre....
magazine. He periodically DJs at venues in Baltimore and DC, and performs with the DC industrial band BlindTillNow. He is also the creator of the electronic/ noise project Hopeful Machines and continues to show art in various venues on the east coast. Additionally, Hopeful Machines was signed to Washington, DC based label Radio-Active-Music
Radio-Active-Music
Radio-Active-Music is an independent record label founded in 2004 and based in Washington DC. Radio-Active-Music releases and distributes bands in the goth and industrial genres.- Overview :...
in late 2008. Hopeful Machine's first hard copy album, ::Skinless::, was released in December 2008.
Studio Albums
- Songs from a Dead CitySongs From a Dead CitySongs from a Dead City is an album by the gothic rock band Ego Likeness.Recorded with minimal outboard gear on a fourtrack, 'Songs from a Dead City' was the first recording by Ego Likeness. Released in 1999 on a limited run of hand made cassette tapes and CD-Rs, the album was never officially...
, Demo, 1999 - DragonflyDragonfly (Ego Likeness album)Dragonfly is an album by the gothic rock band Ego Likeness.Dragonfly, released in 2000 on the band's own record label Angelfall Music, is the band's first full length CD...
, 2000; Re-released 2005 - Water to the DeadWater to the DeadWater 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.The album also...
, 2004 - The Order of the ReptileThe Order of the ReptileThe Order of the Reptile is an album by the gothic rock band Ego Likeness. It was released on July 4, 2006 on Dancing Ferret Discs.- Track listing :# Weave# Burn Witch Burn# Smothered# Aviary# Save Your Serpent# Severine# World of Shame...
, 2006 - BreedlessBreedless (album)Breedless is the eighth album by the gothic rock band Ego Likeness, released on April 13, 2010. It is their first release after being signed to Metropolis Records.- Track listing :# Sirens and Satellites – 5:29# Breedless – 4:02# Inferno – 3:56...
, 2010
EPs
- South 2007
- West 2008
- North 2009
Remixes by Ego Likeness
- "When I Cared" - The Perfects on the rerelease of the album Future Automatic
- "Cassandra" - The CrüxshadowsThe CrüxshadowsThe Crüxshadows is an Dark Electro group from Florida. Their sound is made up of a combination of male vocals, electric violin, guitar, and synth...
on the album Fortress in FlamesFortress in FlamesFortress in Flames is an EP by The Crüxshadows. This release consists of remixes from 2003's Ethernaut and brand-new tracks. The video for "Edge of the World" was included on a DVD compilation by Asleep by Daylight.-Track listing:#"Dragonfly"... - "Terribly When" - The Last Dance on the album Reflections of Rage
- "Tarnished" - Black Tape for a Blue GirlBlack tape for a blue girlBlack Tape for a Blue Girl is an American Dark Wave band formed in 1986 by Projekt Records' founder Sam Rosenthal. Their music takes on elements of dark cabaret, Dark Wave, ethereal, ambient and neoclassical music. Director David Lynch...
on the single "The Scarecrow" - "Inside of You, In Spite of You (Ti Bon Ange Mix)" - ThouShaltNotThouShaltNotThouShaltNot are a band whose style blends post-punk, goth, industrial music, and synthpop. Active since 1998, they are from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and are signed to Dancing Ferret Discs.-Biography:...
on the single "The Projectionist" - "Vena Cava"- AngelspitAngelspitAngelspit is a cyberpunk band from Sydney, Australia. The band was formed in 2004 by vocalists/synthesists Destroyx and ZooG...
on the CD KrankhausKrankhausKrankhaus is the debut studio album by Australian electro-industrial band Angelspit... - "Demon"- Hypofixx on the album After December
- "Mantra (Shades of Grey version)"- The Machine in the GardenThe Machine in the GardenThe Machine in the Garden: Technology and the Pastoral Ideal in America is a work of literary criticism written by Leo Marx, published in 1964....
on the album XV
Guest appearances
- "Little Drummer BoyLittle Drummer Boy"The Little Drummer Boy," originally known as "Carol of the Drum," is a popular Christmas song written by the American classical music composer/teacher Katherine Kennicott Davis in 1941. It was recorded 1955 by the Trapp Family Singers and further popularized by a 1958 recording by the Harry...
" - With Nicki Jaine on the CD Projekt RecordsProjekt RecordsThis is the article for the record label. You might be looking for Pro-jekt, ProjeKct, Project Pitchfork, or Projekt RevolutionProjekt is a Brooklyn, New York-based independent record label specializing in gothic rock, ambient, ethereal, darkwave, shoegaze, dream-pop, and dark cabaret created by...
' Holiday Single 1 - Then and Again - VoltaireVoltaire (musician)Voltaire , is a popular dark cabaret Cuban-American musician...
- "The NeverEnding Story" - The Dark Clan on the Goths on a Boat EP.
Compilation appearances
- Asleep By Dawn Magazine Presents: DJ Ferret's Underground Club Mix #1
- The Best of Radio Free Abattoir
- Dancing In The Dark: 10 Years Of Dancing Ferret
- Dancing In The Dark: 2006
- Where's Neil When You Need Him?Where's Neil When You Need Him?Where's Neil When You Need Him? is a tribute album based on the works of fantasy writer Neil Gaiman.-Overview:The album was released on Dancing Ferret Discs on July 18, 2006. The CD has cover art by Dave McKean and extensive new liner notes from Neil Gaiman.The album's title was taken from the song...
2006 - Electronic Saviors: Industrial Music to Cure Cancer