Band History
September '07 / UK Tour
Tour dates in the UK
October '07 / Breaking of the Dawn Released
'Breaking of the Dawn', by Nick Fletcher and Dave Bainbridge is released on the Kingsway label. Commissioned by Kingsway label, the CD is an album of contemporary hymns written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend which Dave co-arranged, produced and recorded with Nick at Open Sky Studio. With quite an IONA feel in places, this album is very much a hidden gem which sadly received little publicity on its release. The album features some great playing by several guests, including IONA co-founder David Fitzgerald and mixes instrumental tracks with vocal songs, which feature the wonderfully emotive voice of Scottish singer Yvonne Lyon. It later becomes one of Cross Rhythms top 20 albums of 2007 and album of the week on UCB radio. (NB It should still be available through various outlets on the internet).
Jo sings one of the songs off her forthcoming album 'Rafael's Journey' on a BBC Ireland TV programme.
Jo sings one of the songs off her forthcoming album 'Rafael's Journey' on a BBC Ireland TV programme.
November '07 / Songs for Luca 2 Released
Songs for Luca 2 double album is released on Open Sky / Voiceprint. At c2hrs 20mins long and containing 25 exclusive tracks (out of 30 in total) the album is tremendous value for money. Contributors include: Moya Brennan, Joanne Hogg, IONA, Phil Keaggy, Troy Donockley, Mostly Autumn, Martyn Joseph and many many more, along with some intriguing collaborations. Where else will you hear Heather Findlay from Mostly Autumn, Roine Stolt from the Flower Kings and Nick Beggs from Kajagoogoo all guesting on a newly recorded version of Iona's song 'Journey Into The Morn', or Dave Bainbridge and Phil Keaggy playing together?
All proceeds go towards helping Dave & Debbie's autistic son, Luca continue on his Son-Rise Programme (Autism Center of America). Luca has been doing his Son-Rise programme at home for 5 years now and has made amazing progress; the proceeds of the album enable Dave & Debbie to continue working with Luca in this way and pay for the essential support services that Son-Rise offer.
The band say a fond farewell to Angela Wright who has been handling all the merchandise orders and newsletter postings for a long long time now. She is moving onto pastures new, training to be a music teacher. In her place we welcome Heather who deals with all the cd / dvd orders for the next 2 years.
'The Lost Princess', a short silent (apart from the music!) film that Dave wrote and recorded the score for is premiered at the National Media Museum in Bradford. This film, plus another short film Dave wrote the score for called 'Wilfred' are now both available to view at www.duchyparade films.com.
Songs for Luca 2 double album is released on Open Sky / Voiceprint. At c2hrs 20mins long and containing 25 exclusive tracks (out of 30 in total) the album is tremendous value for money. Contributors include: Moya Brennan, Joanne Hogg, IONA, Phil Keaggy, Troy Donockley, Mostly Autumn, Martyn Joseph and many many more, along with some intriguing collaborations. Where else will you hear Heather Findlay from Mostly Autumn, Roine Stolt from the Flower Kings and Nick Beggs from Kajagoogoo all guesting on a newly recorded version of Iona's song 'Journey Into The Morn', or Dave Bainbridge and Phil Keaggy playing together?All proceeds go towards helping Dave & Debbie's autistic son, Luca continue on his Son-Rise Programme (Autism Center of America). Luca has been doing his Son-Rise programme at home for 5 years now and has made amazing progress; the proceeds of the album enable Dave & Debbie to continue working with Luca in this way and pay for the essential support services that Son-Rise offer.
The band say a fond farewell to Angela Wright who has been handling all the merchandise orders and newsletter postings for a long long time now. She is moving onto pastures new, training to be a music teacher. In her place we welcome Heather who deals with all the cd / dvd orders for the next 2 years.
'The Lost Princess', a short silent (apart from the music!) film that Dave wrote and recorded the score for is premiered at the National Media Museum in Bradford. This film, plus another short film Dave wrote the score for called 'Wilfred' are now both available to view at www.duchyparade films.com.
December '07 / Holland Worship Conference
Jo and Dave join Frank and Marlou (Frank's wife) and Italian multi intrumentalist Luca Genta (who toured with IONA in 1994) to play the worship music at a conference in Holland. There is a real sense of freedom in the music and everyone especially enjoys improvising freely together.
Troy and Dave get together for a very enjoyable one off duo gig at Newbury Arts Centre (UK), along with The Mandolinquents.
Troy and Dave get together for a very enjoyable one off duo gig at Newbury Arts Centre (UK), along with The Mandolinquents.
January '08
No IONA gigs are planned this year, with Jo wanting to spend time at home to be a mother to her two young boys. Jo even offers to stand down as the band's singer, but none of the rest of the band can imagine IONA without Jo, so this option is quickly discounted.
However this did give everyone time to re-assess things and see whether there was still a future for the band or not whilst also pursuing other projects. Recording a new studio album would have been very difficult in the current changing music industry climate. The Circling Hour album was funded directly by the band and mixed for free by the band's friend John Kellogg in the USA, and whilst it was critically well received, the lack of touring (which is where most albums are sold and greatest profit made) and major publicity meant that it still had to recoup that investment. CD sales are down across the board throughout the music industry (and consequently income from royalties) and though all the IONA albums are available on iTunes, the percentage income to the artist from download sales is pretty meagre. It is a vicious circle.
This really does feel like a crucial time of reassessment for IONA.
There is still plenty of IONA related news this year:
Dave records an album with jazz musicians Pete Fairclough, Hayley Youell and Fred T Baker called 'Momentarily'. He also starts work on a new album with IONA co-founder David Fitzgerald, called 'Life Journey' - commisioned by Mary and Mary Fleeson of the Lindisfarne Scriptorium (see www.lindisfarne-scriptorium.co.uk). The album will be an accompaniment to Mary's fantastically illustrated book in the Celtic tradition on a call to Christ-centred living. Jo goes over to Frank's studio in Holland to do some vocal recording for a new solo project she's been working on which will become the 'Raphael's Journey' album. Frank is taking care of overall production and the album will feature all IONA band mates. Profits from sales are to be distributed between 3 amazing charities that help children in extreme poverty.
Jo has also been getting involved in some worship leading..... something she never imagined a few years ago that she would be doing. But she excited about it and has already written an albums worth of songs some of which she's been teaching to the church that she attends. Jo, Frank and Dave plan to work together again in this capacity at a major conference (Heaven on Earth - see www.trin.nl) in Holland in May.
Cindy Ross our friend from Australia begins updating the IONA My Space page. Meanwhile the IONA/Open Sky Records office gets numerous (sometimes quite unusual) requests for usage of Iona's music for films, TV and on the web. Recent ones include:
Meditational Videos on You Tube A virtual church called www.i-church.org, requested permission to use some IONA music for this church project. They have a number of videos on You Tube and used the band's version of 'When I Survey the Wondrous Cross' on one of their excellent meditational videos. See www.youtube.com/user/ichurchvids - and the video called 'When I Survey'. There may also be other i-church videos on here using the band's music.
World War 2 - Behind Closed Doors This BBC TV film uses 'Virgin and Child' and 'Luke - The Calf' from 'The Book Of Kells' on its soundtrack.
Mysteries of the World - The Lost World of El Dorado Another BBC TV production, this Historical Documentary includes 'White Sands' from the IONA debut album. Although it was produced a while back, we get a request for use of the track for its release on DVD.
IONA on an Extreme Ski Movie! An interesting request from a group of Christians in Norway that produce extreme ski movies. They work with the top skiers in the world who are role-models of young people. Their purpose is purely to positively influence the skiing community with the Word of God, and music that supports it and they wanted to use 'Luke - The Calf' (seems to be a popular track for film usage!) on one of their DVDs!
You can see some of their excellently film and very hair raising work at; http://home.no.net/filmski/promo.wmv
A Rocha Environmental Pack Christian Conservation Organisation 'A Rocha' requested use of Iona's music for use in some inspirational video clips as part of an Environmental Resource pack which individuals and churches can buy in order to educate their congregation or local community about the importance of creation care. The pack contains all sorts of resources including films, music, sermons, scientific and theological material, audio-talks, bible-study's to name a few. Do check out the website of this very worthy organisation at www.arocha.org.
Meditational DVD Usage is requested for 'View of the Islands' from the 'Beyond These Shores' album for a short film for relaxation/meditation. "The film is about the role of water in our lives and attempts to make us think about how God uses water to speak to us." Originally developed for use by a small group of Christian counsellors, as a devotional, the film is now intended as a resource for their clients and on retreats held at CWR/Waverly Abbey in the UK.
Sir Walter Scott! A film production company based in the Scottish Borders (Wildgoose Productions) request the use of the song "Journey Into The Morn" to be included in a promotional video of the life and influence of Sir Walter Scott.
However this did give everyone time to re-assess things and see whether there was still a future for the band or not whilst also pursuing other projects. Recording a new studio album would have been very difficult in the current changing music industry climate. The Circling Hour album was funded directly by the band and mixed for free by the band's friend John Kellogg in the USA, and whilst it was critically well received, the lack of touring (which is where most albums are sold and greatest profit made) and major publicity meant that it still had to recoup that investment. CD sales are down across the board throughout the music industry (and consequently income from royalties) and though all the IONA albums are available on iTunes, the percentage income to the artist from download sales is pretty meagre. It is a vicious circle.
This really does feel like a crucial time of reassessment for IONA.
There is still plenty of IONA related news this year:
Dave records an album with jazz musicians Pete Fairclough, Hayley Youell and Fred T Baker called 'Momentarily'. He also starts work on a new album with IONA co-founder David Fitzgerald, called 'Life Journey' - commisioned by Mary and Mary Fleeson of the Lindisfarne Scriptorium (see www.lindisfarne-scriptorium.co.uk). The album will be an accompaniment to Mary's fantastically illustrated book in the Celtic tradition on a call to Christ-centred living. Jo goes over to Frank's studio in Holland to do some vocal recording for a new solo project she's been working on which will become the 'Raphael's Journey' album. Frank is taking care of overall production and the album will feature all IONA band mates. Profits from sales are to be distributed between 3 amazing charities that help children in extreme poverty.
Jo has also been getting involved in some worship leading..... something she never imagined a few years ago that she would be doing. But she excited about it and has already written an albums worth of songs some of which she's been teaching to the church that she attends. Jo, Frank and Dave plan to work together again in this capacity at a major conference (Heaven on Earth - see www.trin.nl) in Holland in May.
Cindy Ross our friend from Australia begins updating the IONA My Space page. Meanwhile the IONA/Open Sky Records office gets numerous (sometimes quite unusual) requests for usage of Iona's music for films, TV and on the web. Recent ones include:
Meditational Videos on You Tube A virtual church called www.i-church.org, requested permission to use some IONA music for this church project. They have a number of videos on You Tube and used the band's version of 'When I Survey the Wondrous Cross' on one of their excellent meditational videos. See www.youtube.com/user/ichurchvids - and the video called 'When I Survey'. There may also be other i-church videos on here using the band's music.
World War 2 - Behind Closed Doors This BBC TV film uses 'Virgin and Child' and 'Luke - The Calf' from 'The Book Of Kells' on its soundtrack.
Mysteries of the World - The Lost World of El Dorado Another BBC TV production, this Historical Documentary includes 'White Sands' from the IONA debut album. Although it was produced a while back, we get a request for use of the track for its release on DVD.
IONA on an Extreme Ski Movie! An interesting request from a group of Christians in Norway that produce extreme ski movies. They work with the top skiers in the world who are role-models of young people. Their purpose is purely to positively influence the skiing community with the Word of God, and music that supports it and they wanted to use 'Luke - The Calf' (seems to be a popular track for film usage!) on one of their DVDs!
You can see some of their excellently film and very hair raising work at; http://home.no.net/filmski/promo.wmv
A Rocha Environmental Pack Christian Conservation Organisation 'A Rocha' requested use of Iona's music for use in some inspirational video clips as part of an Environmental Resource pack which individuals and churches can buy in order to educate their congregation or local community about the importance of creation care. The pack contains all sorts of resources including films, music, sermons, scientific and theological material, audio-talks, bible-study's to name a few. Do check out the website of this very worthy organisation at www.arocha.org.
Meditational DVD Usage is requested for 'View of the Islands' from the 'Beyond These Shores' album for a short film for relaxation/meditation. "The film is about the role of water in our lives and attempts to make us think about how God uses water to speak to us." Originally developed for use by a small group of Christian counsellors, as a devotional, the film is now intended as a resource for their clients and on retreats held at CWR/Waverly Abbey in the UK.
Sir Walter Scott! A film production company based in the Scottish Borders (Wildgoose Productions) request the use of the song "Journey Into The Morn" to be included in a promotional video of the life and influence of Sir Walter Scott.
February '08 - March '08
Tracks from the band are used on Scripture Union's new WordLive website, which provides digital Bible engagement for adults. More are likely to be used in the future.
After almost half a year's work, Troy completes arranging and producing a new album for the singer Barbara Dickson, titled 'Time and Tide'. This is the third album he has done with her and consists mainly of new and atmospheric arrangements of traditional and contemporary material and is, by all accounts the best yet featuring all the usual instrumentation from Troy with added guest spots including some gorgeous playing from fellow Ionian, the one and only Frank Van Essen. To support the album, Troy embarks on a long tour with Barbara.
Dave mixes a jazz trio album 'Visions and Vistas' for the excellent Pete James Trio and is musician in residence for a 4 day retreat in London organised by Canon Ed Newell of St Paul's Cathedral.
Dave works on classical guitarist Nick Fletcher's solo album 'Cathedral of Dreams'. The album features Nick's wonderful solo guitar compositions plus a suite for guitar and (virtual!) Orchestra that Dave and Nick are collaborating on. The album will be released on Iona's 'Open Sky Records' label.
Tracks from the band are used on Scripture Union's new WordLive website, which provides digital Bible engagement for adults. More are likely to be used in the future.After almost half a year's work, Troy completes arranging and producing a new album for the singer Barbara Dickson, titled 'Time and Tide'. This is the third album he has done with her and consists mainly of new and atmospheric arrangements of traditional and contemporary material and is, by all accounts the best yet featuring all the usual instrumentation from Troy with added guest spots including some gorgeous playing from fellow Ionian, the one and only Frank Van Essen. To support the album, Troy embarks on a long tour with Barbara.
Dave mixes a jazz trio album 'Visions and Vistas' for the excellent Pete James Trio and is musician in residence for a 4 day retreat in London organised by Canon Ed Newell of St Paul's Cathedral.
Dave works on classical guitarist Nick Fletcher's solo album 'Cathedral of Dreams'. The album features Nick's wonderful solo guitar compositions plus a suite for guitar and (virtual!) Orchestra that Dave and Nick are collaborating on. The album will be released on Iona's 'Open Sky Records' label.
April '08
Since the IONA rest began Phil has taken up playing electric double bass, which he plays along with his usual electric bass guitar at Spring Harvest Skegness main Stage with singer Sue Rinaldi for a live album recording.
Finally, after a lot of delays Iona's best selling album 'Journey Into The Morn' (over 80,000 copies sold worldwide), which had been unavailable for a couple of years, is re-released on 6th April on the band's Open Sky label in conjunction with Voiceprint. Featuring evocative new artwork from Tim Martindale, the album includes the original versions of many IONA favourites, such as 'Irish Day', 'Encircling', 'Inside My Heart' and 'Heaven's Bright Sun'.
Dave is working again with Frank at an event in Holland.
Since the IONA rest began Phil has taken up playing electric double bass, which he plays along with his usual electric bass guitar at Spring Harvest Skegness main Stage with singer Sue Rinaldi for a live album recording.Finally, after a lot of delays Iona's best selling album 'Journey Into The Morn' (over 80,000 copies sold worldwide), which had been unavailable for a couple of years, is re-released on 6th April on the band's Open Sky label in conjunction with Voiceprint. Featuring evocative new artwork from Tim Martindale, the album includes the original versions of many IONA favourites, such as 'Irish Day', 'Encircling', 'Inside My Heart' and 'Heaven's Bright Sun'.
Dave is working again with Frank at an event in Holland.
May '08
Frank, Jo and Dave play together at the Heaven and Earth event in Holland in May.
July '08 / Raphael's Journey Download Released
Jo releases not one but two new solo albums! 'Personal' is released as a physical cd and 'Raphael's Journey' is released as a download only - both by Kingsway Music and both get some fantastic feedback, though are not widely promoted.
Dave plays 3 well received UK dates with his own band 'Open Sky', which features Gabriel Alonso (ethnic and orchestral percussion / drums), Andrea Alonso (vocals / flute), Andy Green (Keys) and Steve Lawson (basses / looping textures), playing music from Dave's 'Veil of Gossamer' album as well as new tracks and a few IONA tracks.
Jo releases not one but two new solo albums! 'Personal' is released as a physical cd and 'Raphael's Journey' is released as a download only - both by Kingsway Music and both get some fantastic feedback, though are not widely promoted.Dave plays 3 well received UK dates with his own band 'Open Sky', which features Gabriel Alonso (ethnic and orchestral percussion / drums), Andrea Alonso (vocals / flute), Andy Green (Keys) and Steve Lawson (basses / looping textures), playing music from Dave's 'Veil of Gossamer' album as well as new tracks and a few IONA tracks.
November '08 / 'Live in London' Released
The 2 cd version of Iona's 'Live In London' is released on the Open Sky / Voiceprint label. This is the main set from the DVD release of the same name (ie without the acoustic set)
The 2 cd version of Iona's 'Live In London' is released on the Open Sky / Voiceprint label. This is the main set from the DVD release of the same name (ie without the acoustic set)
