Home Coming
Six years after logistical issues forced IO Earth to regretfully part ways with vocalist Linda Odinsen, the stars aligned for her return. Empowered by having “our” singer back, guitarist and founding member Dave Cureton opens up to Prog about what her return means for the band and how she helped inspire their sixth studio album, Sanctuary.
Words: Phil Weller
IO Earth, L-R: Tim Wilson, Christian Nokes, Dave Cureton, Linda Odinsen, Adam Gough, Luke Shingler.
Images: Wendy Hagenbeek
New album Sanctuary.
At the centre of British symphonic prog rockers IO Earth is a songwriting partnership that has been carefully cultivated for over 30 years. It began when musicians, guitarist Dave Cureton and keyboard frequenting multiinstrumentalist Adam Gough, were just doeeyed 11-year-olds. IO Earth was founded as their outlet for creativity, which since day one has taken their melodies through a raft of styles and subgenres. Many musicians have joined them on their forays, both on tour and in the studio, but the songwriting team of Cureton and Gough have remained the band’s centre of gravity and creative directors.
“I’ve known Adam since secondary school, and I’m 45 now. That’s quite a long time, right?” Dave Cureton scratches his chin as he reflects on those intervening years, which have seen the pair play across continents and release six studio albums together – not including the stripped-down Acoustic Vol 1 and Cureton’s own solo record State Of Mind, which Gough also co-produced. “It’s true as well that we never really have any cross words.