Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Modern Day Icarus
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
Theres a music television show in Australia called “Rage” and late at night it would have segments specific to Metal etc. I remember when i was about 12 or 13 staying up and watching it and this video came on of an 80s metal band with long hair, wearing leather and singing about the devil. The energy of the music scratched an itch I didn’t know i had. That band was Iron maiden and the song was The number of the beast.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
After that fateful night with Iron Maiden my dive into music outside the realm of commerical pop music really began. I was fascinated most of all with the lyricism in a lot of the songs I would listen to. I guess from there writing my own lyrics was the start off point.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
Modern Day Icarus was started as a way to express and heal. It has grown a bit since its inception in 2021 where it was just myself writing and recording the music and my friend Colin supporting with mixing and mastering. Angus has recently come on board and we are sharing the composition duties. He has been a breath of fresh air to the project and is helping take it to that next level.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
I don’t think we are reinventing the wheel with our music and theres no intent to. A lot of inspiration is taken from bands such as Deftones, Tool, Chevelle and Sleep Token etc. Intially the releases tested out multiple genres but i think we are starting to fall more comfortable in the Alternate metal/rock category.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
Layering with pads and synths. I feel it just elevates the songs and adds more depth.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
At the moment our guitars carry the show for us. Majority has been with the 6 string guitars and 4 string bass but we are dabbling with the 7 string and 5 string for some future tracks. Alongside this I play some piano keys in a lot of the tracks and the drums are either loops or programmed in. We record using two DAWS – Reaper for prelimanary work and logic pro for the final product
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
There is a new band called Wrung which i believe are US based. They have four tracks out and each one is amazing I can’t rate them highly enough. They have a Alexisonfire vibe but still also their own thing.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
In a word? Heavily. A lot of the lyrics and meaning behind the tracks have some personal connection.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
Understanding and empathy
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
Being able to express freely and creatively is liberating
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
I personally have never been focused on playing live but with Angus joining and the progress of the project building into a band It is the logical next step. I try and not dream big so if I was to pick somewhere a lot of concerts i have been to have been at a smaller venue in Brisbane called The Tivoli, I guess playing there would be somewhat a pinch me experience.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Maynard James Keenan (Tool, APC, Puscifer) or Vessel (Sleep Token) purely based on their lyricism. Their ability with words and story telling musically are unmatched in my opinion.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
Instagram/Threads – Moderndayicarusofficial
Tik Tok – Modern Day Icarus
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/7xxJSv0MTUgmw6j45mfDWO?si=wKvG8MZTRwiFe9FHyQa6nA
Apple music – https://music.apple.com/us/artist/modern-day-icarus/1722080019
Youtube – https://youtube.com/channel/UCS7Pwf3j6Q5jHXreC6K8H2g?si=z42uqB6oCQxap4-i
Band Camp – Music | Modern Day Icarus
Sound Cloud – https://on.soundcloud.com/MbBm1LfRDAzZW3trgj
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
The goal is now to continue filling out the band and to build towards releasing an EP or LP in the hopefully not too distant future while continuing to grow and establish our supporter base.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
That although our music is written as a way for us to express ourselves we hope that it connects with them in a way that they find release through it also.
