Icarus is a Rock band based in Bozeman, MT. Members Nathan Rodacker, McClain D’aoust, Carson Putnam, and Noah Zeigler share a deep passion for jamming and creating unique art. Their influences include Kyuss, Primus, and a hint of Bob Marley. Icarus has a knack for conjuring diverse soundscapes, described by some as a thrashy Black Sabbath. They are touring the PNW in May in support of their first album “Elysian Sun,” which is out April 18th.

Brian Ripple: When was Icarus formed?

Nathan Rodacker: The initial version of the band started jamming late in 2022; this current lineup came together in April or May of 2023.

BR: Who was most influential in the formation of the band; whose concept was it?

NR: I initially reached out to everybody; there wasn’t a concept at first besides getting together with some good musicians and seeing what would happen.

BR: Can you tell us a little more about the players in the current line-up?

NR: I play guitar and sing, as does McClain D’Aoust. Noah Ziegler plays bass, and Carson Putnam rocks the drums. 

BR: Icarus will release their first album Elysian Sun on April 18th (04/25).  What was the influence for the songs—who wrote them?

NR: McClain and I collaborate on the songwriting; sometimes each of us will bring a full song in for the band, but a lot of our songs came from jamming them out with different riff ideas. I’d say our influences stem from stuff like Queens of the Stone Age, louder rock with a punk vibe, I’m into Sonic Youth. We make a lot of noise at our shows.

BR: Where did you record Elysian Sun? Who mixed and mastered the album?

NR: We recorded it on campus at MSU in Howard Hall, the music building. Noah and McClain handled the mixing and mastering!

BR: What are the best streaming platforms for people to listen to your music?

NR: Anywhere you can find music… I’d say the main platforms are Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube music. We’ll be on Bandcamp as well, which is a better advocate for artists!

BR: Who are a few of your favorite contemporary/modern artists?

NR: King Giz, of course, I like Amyl and the Sniffers and some of the newer punk stuff like Frankie and the Witch Fingers. McClain showed me this band called Bdrmm that is very interesting! We’re into Crumb, and Soccer Mommy and things like that, too. Our tastes range.

BR: If you could see any bands/artists, living or dead, perform live, who would you go to?

NR: Fugazi!

BR: How do you think (these) artists influence your music, and where do you think the future of Icarus will take us?

NR: I think it comes out in the way we sound, and how we write, too. We like loud guitars but we’re also into dynamic range and morphing genres. We’ll keep doing that on future albums.

BR: What do you think is the best part of playing live music with a band?

NR: Having a connection with the crowd; it’s a unique thing. Plus, you’re interacting sonically with your bandmates in that moment, too; there is a lot to take in!

BR: Does Icarus have any local upcoming live shows you would like to talk about?

NR: We’re playing an album release show on Saturday, April 19th at the Filling Station, the day after Elysian Sun drops. Hair Machine and Witch Bitch will be joining us, so it should be a gnarly time! We’ll also be at Bozeman Hot Springs on Sunday, June 1st, with Brass Camel after we’re back from tour.

Look out for Elysian Sun releasing April 18th, and give it a listen. I think Bozeman will hear the work we put into it! Stay tuned for more music and more shows from us—follow us on Instagram @icarusbandofficialmt.