Icky Blossoms

2012 was a whirlwind year for Icky Blossoms. Their self-titled debut, recorded with TV on the Radio’s Dave Sitek, introduced the world to their singular brand of mesmerizingly contradictory dance music. Avant-garde, yet catchy and danceable. Bright and vibrant pop structures dancing within dark and bass heavy atmospheres. Nodding to great music of the past, while creating songs firmly propelled into the future.

The world took note of their sweaty dance parties and unique vision of sound. Features on The Huffington Post, Interview Magazine, NPR, and The Wall Street Journal; premieres at Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, SPIN, and MTVIggy; songs placed in multiple TV shows and a major movie trailer; tours with Reptar, Rubblebucket, Tilly and the Wall, The Faint, and Washed Out; and a win for best NSFW video of the year all followed.

Coming off their debut’s exploration of synthesizers and drum machines, the band found new focus exploring the space between their background in basement rock shows and their new-found fluency in electronic music. They spent the year crafting the next evolution of their sound, maintaining an electronic core, but working to blend it with the chaotic energy of their live show. Throbbing electronic grooves driven by live drums, bass, and a heavier focus on guitar washes and tonality.

The three members of Icky Blossoms, Sarah Bohling (vocals, synth), Nik Fackler (vocals, Lead Guitar), and Derek Pressnall (vocals, synth, guitar), programmed demos independently and then filtered the songs through each other using the internet and taking trips to an isolated cabin south of Omaha, NE. The process created a collage of tastes, styles, and energy waiting for the studio.

With the talent of longtime friend and collaborator Mike Mogis (Bright Eyes, Julian Casablancas, Man Man, First Aid Kit) at ARC Studios in Omaha, NE, these songs became fully realized. Along with Mogis, the contributions of assistant engineer Ben Brodin (Conor Oberst band), bassist Graham Ulicny (Reptar), drummer Daniel Ocanto (Big Harp) and Todd Fink (The Faint) helped the vision come into focus. The results can be found on Icky Blossoms’ sophomore album, Mask (out May 2015 on Saddle Creek).

Mask finds the band capitalizing on the spontaneity of their live experience and the ambitions of their writing and recording process. You’ll find influences ranging from fad gadget to Beyonce and subject matter varying from wrestling with the isolation of existence to falling in love. The album pulses with a sound that’s electric, confident and vulnerable. A sound comfortable, surprising, and new.