Period: 2002-2003
History: 2002-2003
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.
January '03 - April '03 / 'Songs for Luca' Begins
Dave works on putting together the Songs for Luca album, including remixing the IONA track 'Beijing' from the first album and sourcing a great live version of 'Matthew - The Man' from a live IONA show in Japan. Present and former IONA members also contribute tracks.
Dave works on putting together the Songs for Luca album, including remixing the IONA track 'Beijing' from the first album and sourcing a great live version of 'Matthew - The Man' from a live IONA show in Japan. Present and former IONA members also contribute tracks.
March '03 / Joanne Records for 'Veil'
Despite being almost eight months pregnant, Jo manages to record some stunning vocal performances for Dave's solo album, although she has to do it sitting down and with plenty of rests in between takes! April Troy's second solo album 'In Pursuit of Illision' is released on his own Lantern Records label.
May '03 / Ethan Hogg Born
Jo's second son Ethan is born. The 'Songs for Luca' 2 cd album is released to help Dave and Debbie fund their Son-Rise programme for Luca and also to eventually help pay for Luca, Dave and Debbie to attend the Son-Rise 'Intensive' course at the Autism Treatment Centre in the USA. All the artists involved kindly donate tracks for free and even the artwork, mastering and manufacturing are donated!
June '03 / Luca Removed from School
Dave and his wife Debbie make the decision to take their 5 year old autistic son Luca out of school straight away so that they can devote more time to his home-based Son-Rise program
