Icon For Hire is a rock band formed in 2007 from Decatur, Illinois. The cur… Read Full Bio ↴Icon For Hire is a rock band formed in 2007 from Decatur, Illinois. The current lineup consists of frontwoman, vocalist Ariel Bloomer, better known as Ariel alone and guitarist Shawn Jump.

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.

Thirteen
Icon for Hire Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm not someone I want to be
Felt this way since I was thirteen
Thought I'd gotten better but
It was just a phase
Yeah, it was just a phase
Yeah, it was just a phase

I always end up back at the keys

I play in A minor 'cause it feels like me
Thought I'd gotten better but
Still can't really play
Yeah, still can't really play
Yeah, still can't really play

Just keep going just keep going
Just keep going just keep
Just keep going just keep going
Just keep going just keep
Just keep going just keep going
Just keep going just keep

Just keep going just keep going
Just keep going

Overall Meaning

In Icon for Hire's song "Thirteen," the lyrics delve into a profound sense of self-doubt and struggle with identity. The singer expresses dissatisfaction with who they have become, highlighting a consistent feeling that has existed since they were thirteen years old. Despite believing they had made progress in the past, they ultimately realize it was merely a temporary phase. This line conveys a sense of disappointment, as if they had hoped for lasting growth and change but were let down.

The reference to "the keys" indicates that the singer finds solace in playing music, specifically on the piano. They mention playing in A minor because it resonates with their true essence, suggesting that this is where they can truly express themselves. However, even though they believed they had improved, the lyrics reveal a lingering insecurity about their musical abilities, feeling as though they still cannot truly play. This notion showcases a sense of inadequacy and a continuous quest for improvement, searching for a sense of mastery and authenticity in their artistic pursuits.

The repetition of "Just keep going" throughout the chorus emphasizes the idea of perseverance despite the struggle. It serves as a reminder to the singer that no matter how difficult things may be, they must continue moving forward. This serves as an anthem of resilience, encouraging the listener to persist even when faced with self-doubt or setbacks.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm not someone I want to be
I don't feel like the person I aspire to be

Felt this way since I was thirteen
I have been experiencing these feelings since I was thirteen years old

Thought I'd gotten better but
I believed that I had made progress, but

It was just a phase
It turned out to be only a temporary stage

Yeah, it was just a phase
Indeed, it was only a phase

Yeah, it was just a phase
Yes, it truly was just a phase

I always end up back at the keys
I consistently find myself returning to the piano keys

I play in A minor 'cause it feels like me
I choose to play in the key of A minor because it resonates with my emotions

Thought I'd gotten better but
Once again, I thought I had made progress, but

Still can't really play
I still struggle to play proficiently

Yeah, still can't really play
Indeed, I am still not skilled enough