2011 has been a career-changing year for IKE. A cornerstone of the Philly rock scene since putting out their first record in 2003, the power pop quartet, led by guitarist / songwriter John Faye (who fronted his former band The Caulfields on a major label in the mid-90's), formed their own label and music collective IT KEEPS EVOLVING at the beginning of the year. They release their label debut and 6th record overall on 11/11/11 at a special record release concert at the TLA in Philadelphia. "The Little People, Church and the Steeple," features 5 new hook-laden IKE originals done in both full-on rock AND acoustic versions.
The band, which is rounded out by lead guitarist Brett Talley (who engineered the record), bassist Susie Steen, and new drummer Jason Miraglia, is a rock juggernaut, continually out-doing themselves creatively with every release. The band has already seen three of its indie singles - "Into Philadelphia" (which is still a staple at major sporting events in town), "We Like Sugar," and "Everything You Love" - in regular rotation on WMMR (one of the biggest rock stations in the country), and there is a palpable feeling of excitement over how listeners will react new songs like "Rock n Roll Dreams," "Dead To Me," and "If I Can Help It."
With band mates Talley and Steen looking forward to first-time parenthood in 2012, IKE will keep evolving, focusing more on recording, song placements, and publishing. The band will also make time for their collective projects, as both Talley (with his band BTB) and Steen (a solo artist in her own right) expect to have their own new recordings out next year as well. As for Faye, his first year as the head of a label has been a tremendous learning experience, with both the IKE release and the debut EP from his band John & Brittany (which features co-writer / guitarist Brittany Rotondo, as well as Miraglia on drums), and he looks forward to bringing new acts to IT KEEPS EVOLVING in 2012!
Read more...