To date, they have released four studio albums and four EPs.
History
Early Years and The Approach (2002-2004)
I:Scintilla was conceptualized in Champaign, IL in Jim Cookas' bedroom in October 2002. In January 2003, Chad Mines joined the group as bassist followed shortly by Jason Allen on guitar and programming in March. Upon formation, they immediately began writing their debut album, The Approach while still searching for a vocalist. Many singers were auditioned before finding Brittany Bindrim, who they found to be a perfect fit. The album was finished and self-released on July 29, 2004. The album contained early versions of many songs that would appear on later albums.
Alfa-Matrix and Havestar (2005-2006)
After a previously full year of nonstop live performances, I:Scintilla was discovered and signed by Belgian electro label Alfa-Matrix. In March 2005, Jason Allen left the band and Chad Mines moved to guitar. Bethany Whisenhunt was brought on to play bass.The band continued to work on the release of its first EP, Havestar, while providing material for a future full-length album.
The Havestar EP was released by Alfa-Matrix in the summer of 2006. In addition to a few re-mastered songs from The Approach, remixes by Combichrist, Diskonnekted, Neikka RPM, Implant, and Klutae are included.
The Havestar EP also highlights the first collaboration with producer and artist Wade Alin, who is known for music works Christ Analogue, The Atomica Project, and Scanalyzer. This collaborative process adds a consistent working sound quality that carries forward to I:Scintilla's following full-length album Optics.
After its release, Havestar peaked at #13 on the Deutsche Alternative Charts Top 20 Singles list.
Optics and The Immortal Tour (2007-2008)
I:Scintilla released their second full-length album Optics in June 2007. The album consisted of many older, reworked songs as well as multiple new releases. Optics was released in single-CD format as well as a two-disc edition, containing a second disc entirely of remixes by bands such as Combichrist, Clan of Xymox, and Ego Likeness.
While this album was being made, Mines and Whisenhunt departed the band. Instead of replacing the members, Jim Cookas began programming the bass parts and played all of the guitar parts.
Optics peaked at #6 on the Deutsche Alternative Charts Top 10 Albums list, and was featured in multiple alternative magazines. Preceding the album release, I:Scintilla performed at Wave-Gotik-Treffen in May 2007.
I:Scintilla joined with the then-Tallahassee-based darkwave band The Crüxshadows and Canadian electro act Ayria for the U.S. stretch of The Crüxshadows' Immortal Tour in 2008. At this point, the band incorporated two new members, Justin Pogue (keytarist) and Vincent Grech (drums). Up until then, the drums had all been done through a drum machine.
Dying & Falling (2009-2011)
In 2009, keytarist Justin Pogue left the band and moved to Florida, where he was a DJ under the name DJ Halon at the now-closed Club Rayn's popular Industrial music and Alternative Rock night, Blue Monday. In the band he was replaced by Brent Leitner (guitar/programming).
On December 4, 2009, I:Scintilla released an EP titled Prey On You. The EP contained three new songs and five remixes of these songs. Two songs, Prey On You and Ammunition, were later released on I:Scintilla's third full-length album Dying & Falling (formerly called Redshift), which was released on November 26, 2010. Like Optics, this album was released with a single disc version and a limited edition containing a second disc. This second disc contained the third song from the Prey On You, another previously unreleased track, and nine remixes.
Over the next year I:Scintilla toured lightly, with most of their shows being in their hometown of Chicago. Around December 2012, Brandon Chase was brought in to fill the long empty bass position, making the band a quintet. However, he left I:Scintilla the following August to focus on his own bands.
The Marrow EPs (2012-Current)
In 2012, I:Scintilla announced they would be releasing a series of EPs entitled "Marrow". The first of these EPs, Marrow 1, was released on October 15, 2012. This album was a dramatic change in musical styles. Abandoning their signature metal-electronica style, this album had a more acoustic sound to it. With five tracks, Marrow 1 contained one new song, Drag Along, two reworked versions from songs previously on Dying & Falling, as well as two covers.
Shortly after the December 12, 2012 release of Marrow 1, a new single was digitally released containing a new song, Skin Tight, and two remixes of Skin Tight. A month later, I:Scintilla announced a remix contest for Skin Tight as well as a new album, Marrow 2. The winning remix artist would have their song featured on the upcoming album. The band received 64 submissions and allowed their fan base to vote on which song should be included on the album. The votes were cast in a unique fashion counting cash donations as votes. All proceeds from the votes were donated to the Amnesty International charity.
Marrow 2 was released on May 2, 2013 and marked a return to their signature style. The album contains four new studio recordings as well as four remixes.
In January 2013, Brittany Bindrim launched her own company, Black Dove Design Company. The company focuses on graphic design, programming, and fine arts. The Marrow series album covers are all illustrated by Brittany and are part of her illustration portfolio for Black Dove.
On September 21, 2018, i:Scintilla released Swayed, their first full-length studio album in nine years.
Skin Tight
I:Scintilla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Erased trace
Visions
Heavy blame
Black lace
Face to face
Flashback
Banshee shame
Reactive, I won't sit with it
I've emptied my heart
My head is heavy
I did this, I did this
My memory screams
Voices bring me to my knees
I did this, I did this
Onus
Erased trace
Visions
Heavy blame
Black lace
Face to face
Flashback
Banshee shame
Refractive, now wait a minute
Reactive, I won't sit with it
I've emptied my heart
My head is heavy
I did this, I did this
My memory screams
Voices bring me to my knees
I did this, I did this
I've emptied my heart
My head is heavy
I did this, I did this
My memory screams
Voices bring me to my knees
I did this, I did this
Without the sweetness
Hours like honey
I did this, I did this
My memory screams
Voices bring me to my knees
I did this, I did this
I've emptied my heart
My head is heavy
I did this, I did this
My memory screams
Voices bring me to my knees
I did this, I did this
I did this, I did this
I did this, I did this
I did this, I did this
The lyrics of "Skin Tight" by I:Scintilla depict a person haunted by guilt and shame about a past action or decision. The words "Onus," "Erased trace," "Visions," "Heavy blame," "Flashback," and "Banshee shame" all evoke a sense of responsibility and regret. The person is wrestling with the weight of their own conscience and the consequences of their actions or inaction. They're tormented by memories and voices that bring them to their knees, revealing the depth of their guilt and how much it's affected them emotionally.
The lines "Refractive, now wait a minute, Reactive, I won't sit with it" suggest a struggle to come to terms with the past and a desire to break free from it. The person is both reflecting on their past and also trying to find ways to move forward. They want to be "reactive" and take control of their lives, rather than letting their guilt consume them. Overall, the lyrics paint a picture of a person in turmoil, grappling with the consequences of their actions and striving to overcome the past.
Line by Line Meaning
Onus
The burden or responsibility for something
Erased trace
Evidence of wrongdoing has been eliminated
Visions
Images or ideas that haunt the mind
Heavy blame
Intense guilt or condemnation
Black lace
Delicate, revealing clothing that symbolizes a facade of sexuality
Face to face
Direct confrontation with another person
Flashback
An intense recollection of a past event
Banshee shame
Overwhelming feelings of disgrace or dishonor
Refractive, now wait a minute
Reconsidering one’s perspective on a situation
Reactive, I won't sit with it
Taking action to address a problem rather than passively accepting it
I've emptied my heart
I have nothing left emotionally to give
My head is heavy
Feeling weighed down by negative thoughts or emotions
My memory screams
Painful memories continue to haunt and cause emotional distress
Voices bring me to my knees
The opinions or criticisms of others can be overwhelmingly painful
Without the sweetness
Lacking any positive or hopeful qualities, only negative
Hours like honey
A long amount of time that can be tempting or seductive
I did this, I did this
Taking responsibility for one’s actions and their consequences
I did this, I did this
Reiterating that one is taking responsibility for their actions
I did this, I did this
Continuing to take ownership of one’s actions
Contributed by Scarlett H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
David Loewen
I think I can officially say I have a new favourite I:Scintilla track. Awesome music, and I am utterly addicted to Brittany Bindrim's voice.
Inifus
Awesome stuff as always, still trying to get more people into your music too. Hopefully you all can make it out to KC some time - I'd love to see one of your live shows. And one more thing - how does Brittany manage to get prettier with every video you guys do? I mean seriously - it isn't fair that someone that talented can look that good too.
Drew Ludwig
I remember seeing the rough cut of this at Dragon Con with you guys this yr. It looks really awesome guys! Great video! I absolutely love it! Great job Brit, Jim, Brent, and Vince! All well done! :)
Michael Stocks
Great as always, good job guys! Chris Folkens is great as usual
Raven Lynch
Have always liked and supported I:Scintilla since I first talked to you guys on MySpace in the beginning. Every song and album has been awesome and keeps getting better! Awesome track and video! Cheers!~RŁ
Amber Shrewsbury
You guys! The song is awesome! And the beard death is great too!
Vassiliki Papadopoulou
You guys rock! Keep it up!
I:Scintilla
I would argue that this video is WAY different. For instance, we cooked burgers for lunch on the day we shot it. The last video we had pizza delivered.
Cody Skinner
Had a blast seeing you guys at DragonCon last year. Hope you come back to Atlanta soon :)
parasite unit
HAd lots of fun with the remixing competition you guys got going on this.... again, sorry about the typo on the file name.