Band History
July '01 / Band Dropped by Forefront
The band is dropped by US label Forefront after management changes at the company and a change of emphasis to favour signing more younger chart oriented artists.
August '01 / 'Open Sky Records' Launched
After discussions with Alliance Media, Iona's UK label, it is agreed that the band can be freed from their current contract in order to set up their own label 'Open Sky'. IONA immediately begin to look into the possibility of releasing a 4cd box set as their own label's first release. Greenbelt Festival decide that it is too risky to have the band on the bill due to Jo's baby's imminent birth (although Jo is feeling fine by now), so they cancel our appearance.
September '01 - June '02 / Box Set Prepared
Work continues behind the scenes to set up the 'Open Sky' label, and to prepare the box set for release. The latter is a huge task, as the box set contains a 60 page full colour booklet with around 80 archive photos which have to be collated from various sources, and around 10,000 words of text, much of it newly written.
In addition, original master tapes have to be sourced and transferred to new digital media, several tracks are reworked and remixed, and a whole CD of new and unreleased material is prepared. Unsurprisingly, the original release date has to be delayed.
In addition, original master tapes have to be sourced and transferred to new digital media, several tracks are reworked and remixed, and a whole CD of new and unreleased material is prepared. Unsurprisingly, the original release date has to be delayed.
September '01 / Issac Hogg Born
Baby Issac Hogg is born to proud parents Jo and Steve.
June '02 / Back to Gigs
After a break of a whole year from playing live concerts due to Jo's pregnancy and subequent giving birth, IONA are overjoyed to be back on stage! After a few days rehearsals, the band are back with a very well received run of concerts, starting at the Orange Wow (Fish Quay) Festival in North Shields and then on the Germany for two appearances.
August '02 / 'The River Flows' Box Set Released
Release of the bands first recording on own label 'Open Sky Records'. 'The River Flows' boxset is attracting very positive feedback from fans.
IONA have been back on the road with a number of dates in Europe and the UK.
Release of the bands first recording on own label 'Open Sky Records'. 'The River Flows' boxset is attracting very positive feedback from fans.IONA have been back on the road with a number of dates in Europe and the UK.
September '02 / Expo 2002
The band perform in the open air at Expo 2002 in Switzerland. Over dinner, Jo announces the miraculous news that she is pregnant again.
October '02 / Dave starts Son-Rise
Dave & Debbie begin their exciting home-based Son-Rise programme with their autistic son Luca. This cuts down the time Dave is able to spend on IONA matters.
November '02 / Last Concerts
At the end of the month, the band perform their last concerts (in Germany and at the Winter Wonder Rock Festival in Holland), before Joanne's maternity leave. IONA plans are put on hold.
December '02 / Dave starts 'Veil of Gossamer'
Dave starts work on 'Veil of Gossamer', his first solo album.
Frank Van Essen and wife Marlou release a Dutch language Christmas album of traditional Dutch Christmas folk songs, titled 'Immanuel'. The recording, which mixes classical and folk influences, features Troy and Dave on a number of tracks and is proving to be very popular in Frank's native Holland.
Dave starts work on 'Veil of Gossamer', his first solo album.Frank Van Essen and wife Marlou release a Dutch language Christmas album of traditional Dutch Christmas folk songs, titled 'Immanuel'. The recording, which mixes classical and folk influences, features Troy and Dave on a number of tracks and is proving to be very popular in Frank's native Holland.
