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
Nine Hours Later
Lycia Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And nine hours later I stop in despair
I try to envision the face of the girl
But she's so far away from the top of the world
She's the girl I love
This dark and cold of winter makes me so lonely
So sad and lonely in this dark room
And nine hours later, she waits for me
She's the girl I love
At least for awhile, this all fades away
This all fades away
The lyrics of Lycia's song Nine Hours Later describe the journey of a person who climbs to the top of a mountain and stops in despair after nine hours. The person is trying to envision the face of the girl they love but feels as if she is so far away from the top of the world. The significance of the climb to the mountain could be a metaphor for the struggles and obstacles one faces in pursuing love or achieving a difficult goal. The feeling of despair and loneliness could represent the isolation and hopelessness a person might experience while facing these struggles.
However, the song takes a turn as the singer describes a moment of deep and warm embrace that helps to alleviate their sadness and loneliness. The embrace is a respite from the cold and dark winter the singer feels, providing a moment of warmth and joy. The nine hours later reference suggests that the singer is waiting to be reunited with their loved one or waiting for something to happen that will bring them closer.
Overall, Lycia's Nine Hours Later is a powerful and emotional track that explores the ups and downs of a difficult journey towards love or personal growth.
Line by Line Meaning
I climb to the mountain, to the top of the mountain
I embark on a difficult journey towards achieving a goal.
And nine hours later I stop in despair
After a long and tiring effort, I face disappointment and hopelessness.
I try to envision the face of the girl
I recall the image of someone dear to me.
But she's so far away from the top of the world
Despite my efforts, I cannot reach or connect with the one I love.
She's the girl I love
The person in mind holds a special place in my heart and mind.
This dark and cold of winter makes me so lonely
The current circumstances contribute to feelings of isolation and sadness.
So sad and lonely in this dark room
Immersed in this bleak setting, I experience deep sorrow and solitude.
And then for one moment, a deep and warm embrace
Suddenly, I experience a comforting and heartfelt connection with another.
And nine hours later, she waits for me
Despite distance and time, the one I love still holds onto hope for our reunion.
She's the girl I love
My feelings for this person remain constant and strong.
At least for awhile, this all fades away
For a moment, the burdens and sadness of life are lifted and I am at peace.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mark Z
If Lycia was recorded 1000 albums, certainly all be divine.
Joseph Holland, Jr.
Lycia is one of my all-time favorite bands, introduced to me by my best friend. Love them. So atmospheric.
todd anthonsen
this track always gave me feelings of warmth and hope. not the initial intensions, I'm sure, but never less, breathtaking and beautiful.
Mike K
Very nice work! I like the cold and somewhat psychedelic feel to it. It may be the best Lycia song ever...
Leslie Schmidt
there are so many Lycia songs that just might be their best! i can't decide.
Yvonne Soell
I feel me good with this song ♡♡♡ beautiful, relaxed, amazing beautiful
Locust Dawn
I've never met Mike (unfortunately) but Tara is a sweetheart and David's a great dude. All three of them RULE!
Silenzio
Lycia ... Tesouro da música / arte .
engulfedindark
this is a most haunting sound , one of my favourite songs from them
m3na9
gorgeous photography, beautifully matched to one of my favorites. very great work, and you are a beautiful girl. peace and hugs