The group was founded in May 1988 by Mike Van Portfleet, in the summer of that year Will Welch joined the project. In November, Welch was replaced by John Fair. In 1989, "Wake" was recorded, defining their droning ethereal guitar sound.
John Fair left Lycia in 1990, and Will Welch returned. In the same year Lycia signed to Projekt Records and released "Ionia" in late 1991 after aborting the original first release, titled "Byzantine". They became one of the cornerstones of the Projekt label for over a decade, and one of the most influential bands in the American darkwave scene in the 1990s. They forged a relentlessly dark and driving sound with a wall of shimmery guitars and keyboards, pounding drums, overlaid by Van Portfleet's unmistakable whispered vocals.
1992 saw the release of "A Day in the Stark Corner" and Lycia began its first live appearances. In 1993 David Galas became a permanent member, and their sound evolved with a more mature and polished depth.
In 1994 Tara Vanflower, being a huge fan of the band, decided to meet Mike, and joined as backing vocalist contributing vocals on a couple of songs that were supposed to be for compilation appearances, but ended up on "The Burning Circle and Then Dust" (1995). Tara Vanflower and Mike VanPortfleet married two years later.
The band's sound became comparatively less dark, especially on their final two albums, "Tripping Back Into the Broken Days" and "Empty Space", mostly due to Vanflower's influence. This shift away from their original sound alienated some long-time fans and eventually Lycia broke up in 2003, with Van Portfleet pursuing a solo career.
Lycia reformed in August of 2006 with Mike Vanportfleet, Tara VanFlower and David Galas. "We’ve been slowly working on new material. This time, what we are doing is each of us are bringing in our own songs and then expanding from the initial ideas".
On December 2012, Lycia announced a new release, "Quiet Moments", through their Facebook page. It was released in August 2013.
Discography:
1989 - Wake
1991 - Ionia
1993 - A Day in the Stark Corner
1995 - Live
1995 - The Burning Circle and Then Dust
1997 - Cold
1998 - Estrella
2000 - The Time Has Come and Gone (originally released as under the name Estraya)
2001 - Compilation Appearances, Vol. 1
2001 - Compilation Appearances, Vol. 2
2002 - Tripping Back into the Broken Days
2004 - Empty Spaces
2010 - Fifth Sun (EP)
2013 - Quiet Moments
2015 - A Line That Connects
2018 - In Flickers
Side projects
Bleak - Vane (1994) really just Lycia recording under a different name and exploring a "harsher" sound.
Estraya - The Time Has Come and Gone (2000) accoustic side project with Van Portfleet and Vanflower
Daphne
Lycia Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The sun beats so hard, and I'm here
Then I slip back to another day, a simple day
And I creep back, and I want to be with Daphne
She's so simple, she's so pure, she's so, so, so
She's so simple, she's so pure, she's so, so, so
She don't care, oh Daphne, do you remember me? Daphne
These days stall so hard, and I'm here
Then I sink back to another day, a simple day
And I creep back, and I want to be with Daphne
Do you remember me?
The lyrics to Lycia's "Daphne" are an expression of internal struggle between the present and the past, possibly with regards to a lost love. The singer describes their current reality as harsh and unyielding, with the sun beating down on them, and time seeming to drag on endlessly. Despite this, they are drawn back to memories of a simpler time, when they were with someone named Daphne. The singer seems to idealize Daphne, describing her as "simple" and "pure," and expressing a strong desire to be with her again.
However, there is also a sense of distance and uncertainty in the lyrics. The singer questions whether Daphne even remembers them, suggesting that their relationship may have been short-lived or one-sided. The repetition of the phrase "do you remember me" further emphasizes this doubt and longing. Overall, the song portrays a complex mix of nostalgia, regret, and longing for a simpler, happier time.
Line by Line Meaning
This light glares hard, and I'm here
The bright sunlight is shining so intensely, and I am currently present in this moment
Then I slip back to another day, a simple day
My mind wanders to a previous time in my life, a much easier and stress-free day
And I creep back, and I want to be with Daphne
I reminisce and yearn to spend time with Daphne
She's so simple, she's so pure, she's so, so, so
Daphne is uncomplicated, genuine, and truly wonderful in every way
She don't care, oh Daphne, do you remember me? Daphne
Daphne is carefree and unbothered by the little things in life. I wonder if she still remembers me
This day drags hard, and I'm here
Today feels like it's dragging on endlessly, and I am currently present in this moment
These days stall so hard, and I'm here
These recent days feel like they are moving at a snail's pace, and I am currently present in this moment
Then I sink back to another day, a simple day
My mind drifts back to a past time in my life that was much more tranquil and uncomplicated
And I creep back, and I want to be with Daphne
I reminisce and long to spend time with Daphne again
Do you remember me?
I wonder if Daphne still has memories of me and our time together
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DJANGO REINHARDT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind