Lycia

Lycia is an ethereal project from the Tempe, Arizona, United States, formed in 1988 by Mike Van Portfleet, along with members Will Wlech and John Fair. In 1989, "Wake" was recorded, defining their droning ethereal guitar sound. In 1990, Lycia signed on with 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 the American ethereal music scene in the 1990s.

They forged a relentlessy dark and driving sound with a wall of shimmery guitars and keyboards, pounding drums, overlaid by Van Portfleet's unmistakable whispery ghostly vocals.

1992 saw "A Day In The Stark Corner" released and Lycia began its first live appearances in 1993. In 1994, David Galas became a permanent member and their sound evolved with a more mature and polished depth. Tara Vanflower joined as backup vocalist for 1995's "The Burning Circle And Then Dust". The band's sound became comparatively less dark, especially on their final two albums, 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."

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 ()

Side-projects / Post-Lycia:
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]
Mike Van Portfleet - Beyond the horizon Line[2004] Solo album with mainly dark ambient music. Recorded after the breakup of Lycia.
David Galas - The Cataclysm [2006] Solo album of mainly dark gloomy rock in the vein of Swans.