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, āWe wrote and dreamed about this record away from everything. We needed a safe place where we could all get to āspirit,ā and maximize our different influences.ā Added drummer, Adam Kronshagen, āThereās 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, āOff With Her Head,ā 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.
Hope of Morning
Icon for Hire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Blurs all the colors 'til I can't see past
The last mistake, the choice I made
Staring in the mirror with myself to blame
Sometimes I'm afraid of the thoughts inside
Nowhere to hide inside my mind
I'm scared that you'll compare and I'll look a lifetime past repair
I second guess myself to death, I re-solicit every step
I try to capture every moment as it comes to me
Bottle up the memories and let them keep me company
When the hope of morning starts to fade in me
I don't dare let darkness have its way with me
And the hope of morning makes me worth the fight
I will not be giving in tonight
When I'm old and grey, or thirty, or whatever happens first,
I'll need you to reassure me I didn't waste a verse
Or worse, what if my life's work is reduced to just myself
Like never let you get a word in, while I dissect my mental health
Or lack thereof, whatever, there's too many things to track
I really can't remember if I'm insane or insomniac
Now days, all the kids want crazy, wanna diagnose themselves
Trade up made up epidemics, pass around prescription pills
But my disorder can't be cured by a bottle, blade, or dose
Self-disgust and selfishness tend to hold me awfully close
But I don't wanna let you see that, I don't want my friends to know
Self-disgust and selfishness take me everywhere I go
When the hope of morning starts to fade in me
I don't dare let darkness have its way with me
And the hope of morning makes me worth the fight
I will not be giving in tonight
Try as I might to keep it together
Why is recovery taking forever
Fool the whole world, just until I get better
I'm terrified I'll be faking forever
On and on I wonder what went wrong inside my head
I don't have to have the answers, but tonight I wish I did
All the pain I can't explain away won't fade
All the the secrets silenced by the shame
Don't make me say it
Don't make me say it
Don't make me say it
Don't make me say it
Don't make me say it
Don't make me say it
Don't make me say it
When the hope of morning starts to fade in me
I don't dare let darkness have its way with me
And the hope of morning makes me worth the fight
I will not be giving in tonight
Icon for Hire's "Hope of Morning" is a powerful depiction of the relentless struggles of managing mental health. The song's opening lines vividly capture the whirlwind of thoughts and emotions experienced by individuals with mental disorders, describing the mind as a "kaleidoscope" that moves too rapidly and obscures all other colors until they become unrecognizable. The song continues by detailing the inner turmoil and self-doubt experienced by those facing such battles. The lyrics convey the fear of being misunderstood or judged, the internal second-guessing, and the shame that comes with feeling broken, all leading to a pervasive and never-ending sense of self-loathing.
The chorus of āHope of Morningā is a rallying cry for those struggling with mental illness. It is a reminder of the constant battle that those fighting this war face daily. The "hope of morning" is a metaphor for the promise of a new day, a new start, and the possibility of emerging victorious yet again. It's a poignant reminder that giving up is not an option, and that there will always be hope for a brighter future. Despite the seriousness of the lyrics, the song ends on a positive note with the chorus repeating, conveying a message of perseverance and strength.
Line by Line Meaning
My mind's a kaleidoscope, it thinks too fast
My thoughts are overwhelming and chaotic
Blurs all the colors 'til I can't see past
Clouds my judgment and perspective
The last mistake, the choice I made
Regrets and self-blame for past decisions
Staring in the mirror with myself to blame
Holding oneself responsible for negative outcomes
Sometimes I'm afraid of the thoughts inside
Frightened by one's own mind
Nowhere to hide inside my mind
Feeling trapped within one's own thoughts
I'm scared that you'll compare and I'll look a lifetime past repair
Fearing others will see one as beyond redemption
I second guess myself to death, I re-solicit every step
Doubting every decision and action
What if my words are meaningless? What if my heart's misleading this?
Questioning the value and sincerity of one's own communication
I try to capture every moment as it comes to me
Trying to cling onto the present and preserve memories
Bottle up the memories and let them keep me company
Using memories as a source of comfort and company
When the hope of morning starts to fade in me
When optimism and positivity are slipping away
I don't dare let darkness have its way with me
Refusing to succumb to negativity and despair
And the hope of morning makes me worth the fight
Renewed hope and determination to keep going
I will not be giving in tonight
Not giving up, even in the face of challenges and obstacles
When I'm old and grey, or thirty, or whatever happens first,
Reflecting on the passage of time and uncertainty of the future
I'll need you to reassure me I didn't waste a verse
Seeking validation and assurance that one's efforts are not in vain
Or worse, what if my life's work is reduced to just myself
Worrying that one's legacy will be insignificant or unimportant
Like never let you get a word in, while I dissect my mental health
Talking about one's personal problems excessively and not allowing others to speak
Or lack thereof, whatever, there's too many things to track
Difficulties in keeping track and understanding one's own mental health issues
I really can't remember if I'm insane or insomniac
Confusion and uncertainty surrounding one's own mental state
Now days, all the kids want crazy, wanna diagnose themselves
The trend of self-diagnosing and romanticizing mental illness
Trade up made up epidemics, pass around prescription pills
The frivolous and dangerous nature of prescription drug abuse
But my disorder can't be cured by a bottle, blade, or dose
The realization that substance abuse cannot heal one's mental health issues
Self-disgust and selfishness tend to hold me awfully close
Personal insecurities and negative self-talk keeping one from moving forward
But I don't wanna let you see that, I don't want my friends to know
Hiding one's pain and struggles from others to avoid judgement or pity
When the hope of morning starts to fade in me
The fear of losing hope and positivity once again
I don't dare let darkness have its way with me
Choosing not to give in to negativity and despair
And the hope of morning makes me worth the fight
The belief that there is still hope and reason to keep fighting
I will not be giving in tonight
Defying one's own negative thoughts and emotions
Try as I might to keep it together
Attempting to maintain composure and stability
Why is recovery taking forever
Feeling frustrated and impatient with the process of healing
Fool the whole world, just until I get better
Concealing one's own struggles and faking a sense of wellness
I'm terrified I'll be faking forever
Fear that one will never truly heal and will always have to fake their well-being
On and on I wonder what went wrong inside my head
Continuing to search for answers and explanations for one's mental health struggles
I don't have to have the answers, but tonight I wish I did
Accepting the lack of answers, but feeling a desperate need for clarity
All the pain I can't explain away won't fade
Being unable to articulate or overcome one's emotional pain
All the the secrets silenced by the shame
Keeping secrets and feeling ashamed of one's own struggles
Don't make me say it
Resisting the urge to express one's own vulnerabilities and pain
Lyrics Ā© MUSIC SERVICES, INC.
Written by: ADAM MICHAEL KRONSHAGEN, AMY V ARIEL JUMP, SHAWN MICHAEL JUMP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@AnathemaXIII
***** I know exactly what you said, and you view yourself as a "knight" or a "protector"Ā when in reality you are a scared child cowering behind extreme uses ofĀ metaphor.
Only a fool says he welcomes the darkness, yet thinks himself an angel.
You say you have not given up, but welcoming darkness and pain is the greatest form of defeat.
How many people have you "protected" and "stood up for"? Chances are when real fights go down, you cower in the shadows.
It's time to stop hiding behind such grand exaggerations and step out into the real world.
@AnathemaXIII
Here's three things for ya. 1 I never said all anime lovers are emo. There is a sub group within them that are though. I even enjoy some anime as well.
2 if you think that comment was written by someone who is indeed right in the head, then you aren't.
And 3. Do you think I would be listening to this song if I haven't gone through tons and tons of stuff too?
I respect those with mental illnesses like depression and anxiety but I call crazy when I see it.
Like damn he really called me "foolish human". I'm still laughing from that one. Lol.
@Hurricane-jb4xx
This song has ment a hell of a lot to me for longer then I can remember. First found it when I was in school... what a ride I've had since. And it hasn't gotten any better.
I remember the impact this song had on me the first time I ever heard it. It hit me hard. And that impact still hits everytime I come back to this song.. its a comfort that people around me don't understand
The lyrics are so meaningful and they hit so close to home. The Meldoy really helps express the emotion. And the way it was sung.
You can hear the meaning and expression in her voice
Its beautiful song that hits were it needs to.
The words "when the hope of morning starts to fade in me" that hit me deeply first time because that's how I felt almost every single night.
And one of the most powerful sentences for me was "my disorder can't be cured by a bottle blade or dose" that.. I went through those stages mid teenage years to late Hurting myself, drinking, and when I was on medication I felt worse I felt hollow. Empty as if I was just the shell with no core
It took a lot to crotnrol myself and fight back against that
To anyone who loves this song and feels it. Stay strong stay tough keep hope and look up. There's a light In every darkness don't lose your way. See through to end of the road without ever turning back! We will.make it
@AbbigailSailor
Bit of a rant below
I feel the lyrics āstraight up made up epidemicsā mental health isnāt a fun tag. Itās hell on earth I have been suffering since I was young and I was officially diagnosed but it really hurts when people use it lightly. Pills help me I get them from my doctor but I can never be fixed. I canāt just magically be ok. I love icon for hire because I feel like the music understands how hard it is to get my point across without sounding like a pompous asshole because of how people use my disorders as ammunition. Depression isnāt sadness itās when there is nothing wrong but you feel like itās hard to breathe. Autism doesnāt make me behind the curve it makes me different and I donāt know things the way you do. High IQ doesnāt make me have good grades or make me a bragging asshole it makes me understand more. Anxiety isnāt being scared itās hyperventilating because I canāt stop my mind from racing and crying and shaking. ADHD isnāt I just canāt sit straight itās I canāt think about one thing and Iām failing because of it. This are how my disorders present may not be how yours do. Disorders arenāt just emotions there how my brain works. I just hate how people use these things so lightly. Iām sorry if it makes me a gatekeeper or a asshole I just want people to know whatās wrong with me without looking at me like Iām looking for attention or a charity case... Iām just so done being the speaker. Iām not perfect but Iām doing my damnedest I just want people to understand. I donāt want to have to feel like this.
I just needed this of my chest thanks if you read this wether you agree or not.
@SuperXavier
I couldnt sleep but listening to this song helped me finally ready to sleep idk how
@bluezircon1432
The line that hits the closest to home for me is one of the lines that people donāt tend to notice.
āBut my disorder canāt be cured by a bottle, blade or dose.ā
@josephharrell8643
Same that line always stood out to me
@redmoonrise6507
That line always makes me cry. It's so real! Ariel is a genius
@Blank55600
When a song wraps up most of your life, in three minutes...
@lilbitofeverythin6894
It took me 3 days to learn how to rap it
@korawilson8582
Same
@strawberrygamernb2147
yeah...
@bananajello5709
Agreed.
@foxgirl8964
same :I