By 2000, Archer and Lynch were moving the project in a darker electronic/dance direction, resulting in a self-released full length album entitled ‘Dragonfly’.
After a short hiatus from recording and a lengthy period of trial, error, and revision, and many regional live performances, Ego Likeness signed with Dancing Ferret Discs/ Noir Records for the release of 2004’s ‘Water to the Dead’. This album featured the band’s electronic roots while exploring a bit of a heavier rock
sound.
2005 saw the band tour Germany, Luxembourg, and the continental US with label mates The Cruxshadows, as well as performing at several festivals on the east and west coast, including Convergence 11 (San Diego CA), Dracula’s Ball (Philadelphia PA), Black Sun Festival I (New Haven CT), Freaks United (DC), Eccentrik Festival I (Raleigh NC), and others.
Their first album ‘Dragonfly’ was re-released on Dancing Ferret Discs in 2005.
In addition to The Cruxshadows, they have had the honour to share the stage with Voltaire, The Damned, Chris Connelly, Collide, Razed in Black, Bella Morte, Das Ich, Rasputina, The Start, Iris, Decoded Feedback, The Azoic, More Machine Than Man, In Strict Confidence, Combichrist, and many others.
They have also appeared on numerous compilation CDs, including several Asleep by Dawn releases and 'Where's Neil When You Need Him?' (a tribute to the work of author Neil Gaiman, DFD July 2006); released remixes for The Cruxshadows (Cassandra-Fortress in Flames), The Last Dance (Terribly When- Reflections of Rage), Thou Shalt Not (Inside of You, In Spite of You- The Projectionist), and Black Tape for a Blue
Girl (Tarnished- Scarecrow); and appeared on Voltaire's album Then and Again. EL has also been featured in publications such as Gothic Beauty, Outburn, ABD, Sideline and Sonic Seducer, to name a few.
Their third full length album, ‘The Order of the Reptile' (release date July 4th 2006, Dancing Ferret Discs) ventures back into the realms of heavy electronica, a bit of trip hop, and darkwave.
Archer and Lynch have been married since October of 1999 and currently live in Baltimore. Steven is also the creator of the atmospheric electronica project Hopeful Machines, and performs with the industrial/ power noise act Blind Till Now. All three members of EL, along with Alexx Lackey of echomatrix make up the experimental/ spoken word outfit The Trinity Project.
Former band mate Justin ‘Dingo’ Sabe also lives in Baltimore with a lovely belly dancer and some rather large cats. When not performing with EL, he spends his time on fire and robots and knitting, and can often be found at festivals that involve fire, robots, and/or knitting. He also plays the tuba and hopes to form a marching band in the very near future.
Current line up:
Steven Archer - Guitar/ Programming/ Music & Words/ Vocals
Donna Lynch - Vocals/ Piano/ Words & Music
Mike K. Johnson - Drums
Former members:
Justin 'Dingo' Sabe - Keytar/ Synths/ Noise
Official Site: www.egolikeness.com/
Steven also works on a solo project at www.hopefulmachines.net
Weave
Ego Likeness Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The ghosts you see here came with me
I create my consequences
I have weaved my history
CHORUS:
Something in your bones calls you here
Something in your fabric ties you here
or pull the thread and disappear
I designed this institution
The lunatics are honored guests
And it was invitation-only
The murderers are here at my request
CHORUS
I don't wish distress upon you
or to be a dreadful host
But you'll likely get what you want the least
just when you need it most
Don't fall apart
This is a gift I promise you
A silken thread to mend your injury
But if it scars or not is up to you
CHORUS
The lyrics to Ego Likeness's song Weave open with a compelling confession from the singer, establishing the idea that they are responsible for the ghosts that haunt them. The singer acknowledges their role in shaping their own personal history and the consequences they face due to their actions. This idea is further highlighted in the use of the word "weaved," which implies the singer has a conscious hand in crafting their own story.
The chorus brings a mysterious and eerie tone that claims there is something binding the listener to a certain place or memory despite the pain it may cause. The use of the phrase "something in your bones" emphasizes that this feeling is not just a fleeting thought, but something deep within the listener's soul. The choice offered here is to "mend the wound" or "disappear." This can be interpreted as a decision whether to face the source of pain and try and heal, or to run away and abandon the problem.
The second verse refers to the creation of the institution and the singer's role in not only designing it but also inviting "lunatics" and "murderers" to partake in it. This verse juxtaposes against the chorus, specifically between the options of staying and healing or escaping. The singer is both the creator of their own haunting and the one who is liable for the hauntings of others. The final verse suggests that the singer is not without compassion for their guests, as they make a promise of a "gift" and a "silken thread to mend the injury." However, the choice of whether the injury scars or not will be up to the individual.
Overall, the song explores the idea of one's own responsibility in their pain and suffering, while also acknowledging the complex emotions and choices that arise from difficult situations. It also highlights the importance of both facing and resolving pain rather than burying it within oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
I create the things that haunt me
I am responsible for the fears and worries that consume me.
The ghosts you see here came with me
My inner demons have followed me throughout my life.
I create my consequences
My actions have a direct impact on what I experience in life.
I have weaved my history
The choices I have made have shaped the story of my life.
Something in your bones calls you here
You are drawn to this place or this situation on a deep, instinctual level.
Something in your fabric ties you here
There is a connection or a bond that keeps you attached to this situation.
So take a breath and mend the wound
Take a moment to collect yourself and try to heal from the pain you are experiencing.
or pull the thread and disappear
Alternatively, you can choose to detach yourself from the situation and move on.
I designed this institution
I am responsible for creating the environment in which we find ourselves.
The lunatics are honored guests
People who may be considered crazy or unstable are given a place of prominence here.
And it was invitation-only
Access to this environment was carefully controlled and exclusive.
The murderers are here at my request
Even people who have committed heinous acts are given a place in this environment.
I don't wish distress upon you
I do not intend to cause harm or suffering to you.
or to be a dreadful host
I do not wish to be seen as a cruel or unpleasant person.
But you'll likely get what you want the least
Sometimes we are faced with situations that we would rather avoid or not experience.
just when you need it most
These situations often arise when we are at our most vulnerable or in need.
Don't fall apart
Try to remain composed and not let the situation overwhelm you.
This is a gift I promise you
Even though this situation may be difficult, there is something to be gained or learned from it.
A silken thread to mend your injury
There is a solution or a way to heal from the pain you are experiencing.
But if it scars or not is up to you
Ultimately, it is up to you to decide whether or not to let this situation create lasting emotional damage.
Contributed by Ella D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.