Icon For Hire has released three full length albums: Scripted, Icon For Hire and YOU CAN'T KILL US.
Released in 2011, their first album Scripted shattered first-week sales becoming the highest new artist debut in Tooth & Nail Records history. The record debuted on the Billboard Top 200, at No. 4, on the iTunes Rock chart, and No. 19 on the iTunes overall albums chart.
Icon For Hire released their second full length self-titled album Icon For Hire in October 2013 on the Tooth and Nail label. Producer Mike Green (All Time Low, The Wanted, Pierce The Veil) was at the mixer to follow up their debut album, Scripted.
After spending a remarkable 18 months touring around the world, the group returned to their hometown of Decatur, IL to write their new record. Icon For Hire is set to push the boundaries of music and fashion far beyond their debut. According to the guitarist, Shawn Jump, “We wrote and dreamed about this record away from everything. We needed a safe place where we could all get to “spirit,” and maximize our different influences.” Added drummer, Adam Kronshagen, “There’s been undeniable friction in the songwriting process. We love knowing that you will definitely hear the element of conflict inside of every song we wrote.
The band's video, “Off With Her Head,” received 200k views its first week. Frontwoman and fashion designer, Ariel, worked with the team for weeks to create an avant-garde interpretation of the hit song. The group spent two days in Compton, CA (South Los Angeles) filming the video with a variety of the hottest underground artists.
Icon For Hire moved towards a new chapter of the band in 2016. Adam Kronshagen left the band to spend more time with his family coupled with a split with their record label Tooth & Nail the band decided to go it alone, or so it seemed. The band put together a plan for a kick starter project backed by their own fans. The kick starter reached its target in a matter of days. The album YOU CAN'T KILL US was released in stages throughout the year to those who have backed the kick starter project and there were physical copies on sale in December 2016 when it was completed.
On October 23, 2018, the band uploaded a video to their YouTube channel titled "Supposed To Be Acoustic Sessions Video Teaser", announcing their first video session to come soon, as well as that the Still Can't Kill Us: The Acoustic Sessions album would be released on December 7. The band released their "Supposed to Be" Acoustic Video on October 26, their "Get Well II" Acoustic Video on November 8, and "Demons" Acoustic Video on November 23. The tracks were also uploaded to Spotify as singles. A new album The Reckoning was released in September 2022.
Ariel Bloomer - Vocals,
Shawn Jump - Guitar,
Adam Kronshagen - Drums,
Josh Kincheloe - Bass.
Hollow
Icon for Hire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let me sink to the bottom
Air in my lungs keeping me afloat
Inside I'm still hollow
I know I'm not my thoughts
But my thoughts don't know that yet
Sometimes I try to sneak up
I try to meditate, cause they told me it'll help
But the last thing I need is more time alone inside myself
I know I'm not unique, we all got broken brains
Culture recently decided being crazy is okay
And now we all can talk about it on our social feeds
Having a rough day?
Hashtag mental health awareness week
I know that's progress
We don't have to hide no more
But it leaves me wondering why we ain't said this stuff before
Like were we always all crazy and we all just kept quiet?
Are we on the same page with what we're identifying?
And if crazy's the new normal then it's not that crazy, is it?
Cause the word by definition means it sits outside the system
And how can we tell difference between sick and tryna' fit in?
If everybody's crazy, then who's supposed to fix it?
I don't wanna break down, but I'm feeling low
Let me sink to the bottom
Air in my lungs keeping me afloat
Inside I'm still hollow
I don't wanna break down
So where do I go?
My screams sink to the bottom
Top of my lungs, just an echo
Inside I'm still hollow
No one told me it could get this bad, this fast
Guess we only hear about the struggle after its passed
Getting easier to open up, share what we've lost
Good to know I'm not alone
But if I'm really being honest
I kinda hope there's something wrong with me
I kind hope this isn't how it's supposed to be (Supposed to be)
I pray to god it's not normal
Crying on the floor
I don't wanna do this anymore
I don't wanna break down, but I'm feeling low
Let me sink to the bottom
Air in my lungs keeping me afloat
Inside I'm still hollow
I don't wanna break down
So where do I go?
My screams sink to the bottom
Top of my lungs, just an echo
Inside I'm still hollow
I kinda hope there's something wrong with me
I kind hope this isn't how it's supposed to be (Supposed to be)
I pray to god it's not normal
Crying on the floor
I don't wanna do this anymore
I kinda hope there's something wrong with me
I kind hope this isn't how it's supposed to be (Supposed to be)
I pray to god it's not normal
Crying on the floor
I don't wanna do this anymore
I don't wanna break down
But I'm feeling low
I don't wanna break down
But I'm feeling low
I don't wanna break down
But I'm feeling low
I don't wanna break down
I don't wanna break down, but I'm feeling low
Let me sink to the bottom
Air in my lungs keeping me afloat
Inside we're still hollow
I don't wanna break down
So where do I go?
My screams sink to the bottom
Top of my lungs, just an echo
Inside I'm still hollow
I know I'm not my thoughts
But my thoughts don't know that yet
Sometimes I try to sneak up
On the voice inside my head
I've tried to meditate, cause they tell me it'll help
But the last thing I need is more time alone
The song "Hollow" by Icon for Hire is a vivid account of the singer's struggle with anxiety and mental health issues. The opening lines of the song reveal the desperation of the singer, who does not want to break down. She feels low and hollow inside and wants to sink to the bottom. The image of sinking to the bottom suggests a feeling of overwhelming despair and being swallowed up by the darkness. However, she is still keeping afloat, which implies her resilience and determination to survive.
In the second verse, the singer reflects on the stigma and shame that often surround mental health problems. She questions why people didn't talk about it earlier, as if they were all silently struggling with the same issues. She also questions how society can distinguish between being sick and trying to fit in when everybody is deemed "crazy." She describes the irony of the term "crazy" becoming normalized and socially acceptable, even though it suggests something that is "outside the system."
In the chorus, the singer repeats her desire not to break down, but acknowledges that she is still feeling low and hollow. She also wonders where she can turn for help, as her screams are merely echoing back to her. The repeated line "I don't wanna do this anymore" emphasizes her pain and exhaustion.
Overall, "Hollow" is a powerful song that speaks to the struggle of many people who deal with mental health issues. It offers a message of hope and resilience, while also shedding light on the stigma and shame that often surround these issues.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't wanna break down, but I'm feeling low
I don't want to have a mental breakdown, but I feel sad and weakened.
Let me sink to the bottom
Let me give in fully to my negative emotions and feelings.
Air in my lungs keeping me afloat
Despite feeling low, the basic necessities I need to survive keep me going.
Inside I'm still hollow
Despite the external appearance of functioning, inside I feel empty and lacking emotions.
I know I'm not my thoughts
I am aware that my thoughts do not define me as a person.
But my thoughts don't know that yet
Despite knowing this, my thoughts continue to have a strong impact on my emotions and well-being.
Sometimes I try to sneak up
Occasionally, I try to challenge or question my thoughts to see if they are accurate or beneficial.
On the voice inside my head
I am referring to the internal narrative or inner critic that many people experience.
I try to meditate, cause they told me it'll help
I have attempted to meditate, as it is a common practice that is supposed to help calm and center the mind.
But the last thing I need is more time alone inside myself
Despite this, I am reluctant to spend any more time alone with my own thoughts and emotions.
I know I'm not unique, we all got broken brains
I recognize that mental health struggles are common and can affect anyone.
Culture recently decided being crazy is okay
Society has become more accepting and open about mental health struggles.
And now we all can talk about it on our social feeds
Social media has become a platform where people can share their mental health experiences and seek support.
Having a rough day?
Mental health struggles are becoming more normalized and publicly acknowledged.
Hashtag mental health awareness week
The use of hashtags and social media has helped spread awareness and reduce stigma surrounding mental health.
We don't have to hide no more
The societal pressure to hide mental health struggles is decreasing.
But it leaves me wondering why we ain't said this stuff before
I question why it has taken society so long to discuss mental health openly and honestly.
Like were we always all crazy and we all just kept quiet?
I wonder if everyone secretly struggles with mental health, but societal pressure to hide it has prevented people from speaking out.
Are we on the same page with what we're identifying?
I question whether society is accurately identifying and addressing mental health struggles.
If crazy's the new normal then it's not that crazy, is it?
I comment on the paradox of the increased acceptance of mental health struggles, but the use of the term 'crazy' to describe it.
Cause the word by definition means it sits outside the system
The word 'crazy' implies that someone is not conforming to societal norms or expectations.
And how can we tell difference between sick and tryna' fit in?
I question the line between someone being genuinely mentally ill and someone trying to fit in by claiming mental health struggles.
If everybody's crazy, then who's supposed to fix it?
I reflect on the difficulty of addressing and treating mental health struggles if they are widespread and normalized.
So where do I go?
I express confusion and uncertainty regarding how to deal with my own mental health struggles.
My screams sink to the bottom
My attempts to express my pain and emotions are futile and seemingly ignored.
Top of my lungs, just an echo
I feel silenced and unheard, despite trying to express myself.
No one told me it could get this bad, this fast
I express surprise and shock at the severity and speed of my own mental health struggles.
Guess we only hear about the struggle after its passed
I comment on the tendency for people to only talk about mental health struggles once they have overcome them.
Getting easier to open up, share what we've lost
I recognize that society is becoming more open and accepting of talking about mental health struggles.
Good to know I'm not alone
I express relief and comfort at knowing that others also struggle with mental health issues.
But if I'm really being honest
Despite feeling some relief, I am still struggling with my own mental health and expressing myself honestly.
I kinda hope there's something wrong with me
I express a desire for there to be a clear and definitive reason for my mental health struggles.
I kind hope this isn't how it's supposed to be
I express a hope that my mental health struggles are not the norm or how life is meant to be.
I pray to god it's not normal
I express a desperation and hope that my mental health struggles are not considered normal or acceptable.
Crying on the floor
I am expressing a physical manifestation of my mental health struggles.
I don't wanna do this anymore
I am expressing a desire to end my mental health struggles and find relief.
Inside we're still hollow
I conclude with the idea that even as society becomes more accepting and open about mental health struggles, individuals can still feel hollow and empty on the inside.
Writer(s): Shawn M Jump, Amy V A Jump
Contributed by Jacob I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@MarkusDarkess
Everyone is mentally ill. Think of morgan freeman.
This is biblical. I am sytiracal. Words mystical. You are physical. How deep is thine mind. It's infintacimal. Your mind has no equal. So how how deep is your well of information. Do you hear this conversation. Do you get a sensation.
Titty sprinkles.
If you heard another person's voice in your head.m you might be brain washed.
Because the brain cannot hear anything. Only your ears canm or your bones. Through vibrations. These are the temptations.
.
@teaartist6455
Dude, maybe actually look up what Autism Spectrum Disorder is and how it affects people before arbitrarily deciding who has "real" problems and who doesn't?
The reason we see so much of it on social media is mainly because of the algorithms changing what you are shown.
Also, how come you can't seem to fathom that autistic people have real problems just becausethe problems autistic people face aren't identical or necessarily comparable to yours?
Just because someone doesn't have the exact same problems you do doesn't mean they don't have problems.
Autism can still cause problems, including mental health issues.
The suicide rates among autistic people are through the roof, and that's just the people who were diagnosed.
Autism is something we haven't known about for long and if you're not a male, white child or affected in a very blatant way you would probably be overlooked and will likely end up with a number of mental illnesses (or misdiagnosed as having mental illnesses), if you are diagnosed you'll be put through conversion therapy and come out with PTSD.
Autism itself is known since the 60s, but back then you were only diagnosed if the doctor was a specialist and your symptoms were extremely noticeable, the more Neurotypical-seeming ends of the spectrum, in the 90s people recognized that not everyone who's autistic was so obviously and that the people that can pretend to be (more) normal still struggle a lot.
@xlycanrocx8344
Lyrics:
I don't wanna break down, but I'm feeling low
Let me sink to the bottom
Air in my lungs keeping me afloat
Inside I'm still hollow
I know I'm not my thoughts
But my thoughts don't know that yet
Sometimes I try to sneak up
On the voice inside my head
I try to meditate, cause they told me it'll help
But the last thing I need is more time alone inside myself
I know I'm not unique, we all got broken brains
Culture recently decided being crazy is okay
And now we all can talk about it on our social feeds
Having a rough day?
Hashtag mental health awareness week
I know that's progress
We don't have to hide no more
But it leaves me wondering why we ain't said this stuff before
Like were we always all crazy and we all Just kept quiet?
Are we on the same page with what we're identifying?
And if crazy's the new normal then it's not that crazy, is it?
Cause the word by definition means it sits outside the system
And how can we tell difference between sick and tryna' fit in?
If everybody's crazy, then who's supposed to fix it?
I don't wanna break down, but I'm feeling low
Let me sink to the bottom
Air in my lungs keeping me afloat
It's like I'm still hollow
I don't wanna break down
So where do I go?
My screams sink to the bottom
Top of my lungs, Just an echo
It's like I'm still hollow
No one told me it could get this bad, this fast
Guess we only hear about the struggle after its passed
Getting easier to open up, share what we've lost
Good to know I'm not alone
But if I'm really being honest
I kinda hope there's something wrong with me
I kind hope this isn't how it's supposed to be (Supposed to be)
I pray to god it's not normal
Crying on the floor
I don't wanna do this anymore
I don't wanna break down, but I'm feeling low
Let me sink to the bottom
Air in my lungs keeping me afloat
It's like I'm still hollow
I don't wanna break down
So where do I go?
My screams sink to the bottom
Top of my lungs, Just an echo
It's like I'm still hollow
I kinda hope there's something wrong with me
I kind hope this isn't how it's supposed to be (Supposed to be)
I pray to god it's not normal
Crying on the floor
I don't wanna do this anymore
I kinda hope there's something wrong with me
I kind hope this isn't how it's supposed to be (Supposed to be)
I pray to god it's not normal
Crying on the floor
I don't wanna do this anymore
I don't wanna break down
But I'm feeling low
I don't wanna break down
But I'm feeling low
I don't wanna break down
But I'm feeling low
I don't wanna break down
I don't wanna break down, but I'm feeling low
Let me sink to the bottom
Air in my lungs keeping me afloat
It's like we're still hollow
I don't wanna break down
So where do I go?
My screams sink to the bottom
Top of my lungs, Just an echo
It's like I'm still hollow
I know I'm not my thoughts
But my thoughts don't know that yet
Sometimes I try to sneak up
On the voice inside my head
I've tried to meditate, cause they tell me it'll help
But the last thing I need is more time alone
@Alice-lx4ml
Ariel: throwing things, having a meltdown
Shawn: writes in notes, checks watch
@clumsygoblin
Yep. And it perfectly describes all the "help" most of us are getting :))))
@ax3247
@@clumsygoblin A therapist is supposed to listen.
@clumsygoblin
@@ax3247 I know. I just have a bunch of bad experiences. Sometimes people need at least a slight response
@ax3247
@@clumsygoblin But that has nothing to do with the video. He is doing what he's supposed to.
@clumsygoblin
The video expresses feelings. Art is supposed to have a different meaning for each of us. So you don't have to explain what I should feel about it
@kibbles615
Mental health is not a joke. This band kept me alive.
@IconForHireOfficial
❤️
@KimimaroYenPup
Real Shit. Hope your still doin good bud.
@constantinofaria7697
For real buddy! I feel this way all the time when I talk to people about it