Code Indigo - History

Electronic Chill out band Code Indigo is one of AD Music's most prominent acts. With its imaginative combination of keyboards, guitar, samples and voice, their music compares to that of the Orb, Enigma, Deep Forest and instrumental Pink Floyd.

For even more info please visit www.codeindigo.co.uk

Code Indigo was born from the musical collaboration between David Wright and Robert Fox which began in the Spring of 1994. Both Artists enjoyed successful solo careers, so the idea of an alternative vehicle for their music which would see their two different styles metamorphosis into something completely new, was a regular topic of discussion between them.

By the summer of 1995, most of the music had been written at FX Studios in Wales, and the overall concept for the album 'For Whom the Bell...' had been composed and arranged. However, the music had entered areas which required an additional perspective. David had been working with guitarist and studio engineer Nik Smith in his solo concerts and while attending one of the "Bell" sessions, as they had become affectionately known, it became apparent that Nik was in tune with the project and was able to give it the extra dimension David and Robert sought.

During October 1995 - January 1996, the three musicians began work at the Old Pink Dog Studios in West Sussex, where Nik took over the mantle of senior engineer on the project as well as adding his superb guitar work.

It was at this point that the 4th member of the band became involved. Vaughn Evans, joined the project initially in his roll as one of David Wright's road crew and assistant engineer. But his knowledge of analogue synths and his growing involvement during rehearsals added another distinctive layer to the evolving style and sound.

The original line-up played its first UK concert at the Derby Assembly Rooms in April 1996, in front of an appreciative 800 strong audience. However, Code Indigo was to become an evolving, fluid band, undergoing numerous personnel changes over the years.

Firstly, Nik Smith left to be replaced by session guitarist Pat Pattison for a major German Concert in the City of Duisburg in May 1997. Over 1500 people witnessed a stunning performance by the band and the unedited set was released as a Limited Edition 'Official Bootleg' (Cat. No. SP1).

This was followed by the prestigious and highly acclaimed Derby Cathedral Concert in October 1998, where the bands 3rd guitarist, Andy Lobban, effortlessly replaced the departed Pat Pattison. A stunning visual experience was accompanied by Code Indigo premiering new material alongside favourites from For Whom the Bell. This concert recording was later released as part of the David Wright & Robert Fox special Edition 4 CD Box set 'Blue'.

Late in 1998, Andy Lobban and Vaughn Evans left the band, and Nik Smith rejoined as guitarist and senior engineer. The new three man line recorded 'Uforia' in West Sussex during 1999 with guest musicians and 'Sweet Like Chocolate' singer Sharon Woolf. 'Uforia' was to be a very different album to FWTB, both musically and stylistically, combining modern elements of dub and dance with the synth backdrops. There is no denying its appeal and technical excellence, and the album was to receive critical acclaim from the more mainstream musical press.

But despite the acclaim,'Uforia' failed to capitalise on its potential. A London Concert to launch the album in September 1999 was a low point despite the impressive visual backdrop that accompanied the performance. With musical differences causing major divisions within the band, the increasing tension clearly manifested itself both on and off stage, culminating in Robert Fox's departure.

Despite these problems 'behind the scenes', Code Indigo remained AD Music's most prominent act. The music continued to find a growing audience thanks to Sony, Polygram and ZYX compilations, where Code Indigo featured with, amongst others, Santana, Fleetwood Mac, Enigma and Jean Michelle Jarre.

Also during 1996 and 2000, there were nominations on four separate occasions in the German Radio Schwingungen music awards; runner-up in the Best Album category and the Best New Act category of 1996 and placed in the Best Act category of 1998 and 2000.

By the end of 1999 Code Indigo had fragmented to the verge of extinction. But Early in 2000, David Wright and Robert Fox decided to go 'back to basics'. They put aside earlier differences and wrote and recorded 'Blue', a 23 minute, 4 part opus, which was to form part of the planned box set of solo and collaborative works. Although not intended or presented as a Code Indigo piece, the 'Blue' opus was enthusiastically perceived and received as such.

In October 2000, the 'Special Edition' 4 CD box set 'Blue' was released and coincided with a return to Derby Cathedral, where David and Robert performed solo sets before being joined by guitarist Andy Lobban to premiere 'Blue' as the finale to a highly successful event.

There was little activity during 2001. David and Robert did work briefly on a proposed album idea entitled 'Redemption', but this was scrapped. However, a session out-take survives and is featured on the AD fanzine, (FanzADfm CD issue 6), and David and Robert performed extracts live at Jodrall Bank in June 2002.

In July 2002 David and Robert conceived and wrote the basic structure for 'TimeCode'. In August, Nottingham based vocalist Louise Eggerton and producer/programmer Dave Massey joined Fox, Wright and Lobban to form the latest, and arguably the strongest Code Indigo line up to date.

One year later on July 5th 2003, TimeCodeIndigo premiered to an enthusiastic audience at The National Space Agency, Leicester. In August, the prestigious syndicated USA radio show "Echoes" recorded the band at the Suffolk studio of David Wright and subsequently produced a combined interview, feature and radio concert. By the end of 2003 "TimeCode" had entered the Echoes Radio "Top 25 essential CDs of the Year" chart and continued to receive glowing praise from media and fans alike.

Timecode was voted 'Best album of 2004' at the German Schwingungen Radio awards and Code Indigo were also runner-up in the 'Best Artist' category while the track "Timeloop" was placed 5th in the 'Best Track of 2004' category.

During 2005 Louise Eggerton left the band to pursue her solo career. Work then began on the studio album "Chill".

The release of 'Chill' coincided with a National Space Centre Concert in Leicester on 27th May 2006. This was notable for being the first time the band had performed with a 3 man line-up. Despite being a poorly attended concert, there was no denying the power of and critical reaction to the "Chill" album.

Nigel Turner-Heffer joined the band on bass and rhythm guitar shortly afterwards and this was to prove a masterstroke, reinvigorating the band for its headlining of e-live in Eindhoven on 14th October 2006, where the bands performance was hailed as "awesome" and "fantastic".

At the time of going to press a live album is being compiled from the e-live concert and there are also plans for one more Uk concert in 2006 plus a major UK concert at Derby Cathedral on 19th May 2007.

There are also plans for a major UK concert, possibly at Derby Cathedral, in May 2007.