Icon for Hire

Formed in 2007, the band's current lineup consists of singer Ariel Bloomer and lead guitarist Shawn Jump.

They spent the last quarter of 2010 in the studio with producers Rob Hawkins and Aaron Sprinkle recording their first full-length album, Scripted, which was released by the label on August 23, 2011.

13 on R&R/Billboard's Christian Rock chart and had an accompanying music video exclusively released online by Guitar World magazine's website.

In December 2011, Ariel stated that, while the band had been focusing on extensive touring rather than writing new music, she had "a feeling that we'll start piecing together some demos shortly.

[7] In an interview with KHRT-FM, the band expressed their desire for the album to be "heavier....more aggressive", with more bubblegum pop production and possible hip hop elements.

On June 6, 2015, Icon for Hire announced that they broke their contract with Tooth & Nail records to go independent, citing creative, ideological, and technical differences with the label.

[citation needed] While the band was on their “Icon Army Tour” in Europe from February to March 2020, the spread of COVID-19 and ensuing pandemic forced them to cancel the remaining shows and return to the United States of America just before the US border closed.

During the “stay at home” period imposed by the band’s home-state of Tennessee, Icon for Hire announced they were working on their next album with producer David Thulin, with whom they “merged quarantines with”.

[24] On September 19, 2020, the band announced the launch of a Kickstarter campaign in order to gather funds to release their next album, titled “Amorphous”, with the goal of reaching $2,942.

On September 17, 2021, the band published a picture of Ariel, Shawn, and producer David Thulin on their Instagram with a teaser that they have “just finished something pretty special”.

Icon for Hire’s 6th studio album, The Reckoning, was launched on September 30, 2022,[30] followed by the announcement of their first European tour since the pandemic, as an opening act for The Rasmus.

[40] From February to May 2018 the band was on a worldwide Turn Your Pain into Art tour with Riot Child as opening act in Europe.

On April 27, 2022, Icon For Hire announced their headlining "Ready for Combat" tour from June - July 2022 with Sumo Cyco and Awake At Last.

[47] On October 20, only ten days into the tour, Icon for Hire announced they would be cancelling all remaining shows citing "growing economic concerns in Europe" and "airline misplacement of music gear",[48] resulting in an unexpected and unplanned increase in costs.

[49] Jamie Maxwell of Cross Rhythms describes them as a punk band, but notes that "the electronic influence evident in some of their tracks is a definite nod to the likes of Linkin Park and others in the nu metal mould.

"[2] Influences cited by the band have included hard rock bands like Linkin Park, Breaking Benjamin, Pantera, Mötley Crüe, and Rage Against the Machine, as well as pop- and hip hop-oriented artists such as Skrillex, The Black Eyed Peas, Dessa, and Lady Gaga.

She has also noted such comparisons as unfairly discriminatory: "It frustrates me how in so many other industries you are acknowledged for your skill and education, but in music somehow if you're a chick you better be bringing something extraordinarily mind-blowing to the table in order to have a shot.

David Jeffries pointed out that "Christian ideals are the driving force" in the lyrics on Scripted, though he acknowledged that "you could look at this as a secular rebellion against the mopey 'scene' bands and still thrill at Icon for Hire's fresh attitude and sense of purpose.

[53] Kim Jones of About.com said that the categorization was inaccurate "if you're looking to use the term to put them into a nice and safe box, limited to only a Christian audience.

Singer Ariel Bloomer performing in 2016
Guitarist Shawn Jump performing in 2011