Getting to Know… Illusions of Grandeur | Interview 🎤

In the 378^th Q&A in our Getting to Know… series, we get the inside scoop from York, PA theatrical hard rock/fantasy metal band, Illusions of Grandeur.

“IOG is a theatrical hard rock/fantasy metal band based in York, PA.” WORD. I.O.G. is the acronym for our interviewees, 🎙 Illusions of Grandeur.  The band expounds, “[Our] fierce and energetic live show has gained them a legion of fans dubbed ‘The Siren Nation’ who follow them worldwide, at live shows, and on social media.” Like our many other Getting to Know Q&As, we get the inside scoop on the collective’s genesis, goals, musical influences, and of course, current, and future musical endeavors. So, without further ado, let’s jump right into 🎤 Getting to Know… Illusions of Grandeur: Interview No. 378!

For those who may not be familiar with you, what would you say makes Illusions of Grandeur distinct or unique? How do you rock the audience’s socks off?

Illusions of Grandeur “I.O.G.”, is a theatrical hard rock/fantasy metal band based in York, PA. I.O.G. has been touring in both the United States as well as across the UK, Germany, France, and the Ukraine since 2015.

The band began with 🎙 CM “Archangel” Carroll and 🎙 Maggie “The Siren” Carlton as its founders. They had been in a hard rock band together just prior to the birth of Illusions and decided they wanted to go their own way, using The Sirens’ unique vocal qualities and theatrical background as a foundation for the band and its music.

I.O.G. ‘s Live show The Siren Saga is a story of the journeys, perils, and triumphs of the Siren and her warriors.  The story mixes facts and fiction combining Greek and Norse Mythology, Sirens, Gods, Archangels.

Illusions of Grandeur’s fierce and energetic live show has gained them a legion of fans dubbed “The Siren Nation” who follow them worldwide, at live shows, and on social media.

Okay, let’s explore some juicy backstories. How did Illusions of Grandeur form and what were some of the goals or visions you had early on?

The Illusions of Grandeur name originated from a time when Maggie was seeking out other musicians to form a band. A lot of the ads said, “No Illusions of Grandeur here,” meaning they just wanted to play music. Maggie thought, “Why no Illusions of Grandeur?” Life is short – go for what you dream and want!

The idea of Illusions of Grandeur is to create a world and tell the story of “The Siren” and her journeys. IOG’s love of both history and Greek/Norse Mythology felt that this was the best medium way to create a world for “The Siren Saga.” IOG feels that when listening to music or seeing a live show you should be able to immerse yourself in that moment and take a journey of your own with the band.

Let’s talk more about goals.  Have your goals or your perspectives changed since first starting out? What do your aspirations or goals look like now?

Playing in a band or making music is a journey. In order to be successful, you have to know what your idea of success is. It’s a rough road either way and being committed and understanding that it takes time and growth, both skills and knowledge while your developing the band and songs is key. Always understand that this is your journey, even in a band. So, make the most of it and be creative, always. Illusions of Grandeur ‘s aspirations would be simple, to continue to make music and release it as well as continue to tour worldwide, no day is promised so we are going to make the most of the time we have!

Everybody is influenced by somebody else. Whom would you consider some of your biggest musical influences and how are they influential?

Illusions of Grandeur’s influences come from many genres of course starting with metal; like Korn, In This Moment Metallica, Avatar and Evanescence. Each member draws off their individual influences as well which are varied from The Siren’s love of Classic rock like Janis Joplin and heart to CM’s love of The Smiths, Supertramp and Soundgarden into Miles love of death metal and more. IOG feels this just adds to the sound and allows the band to explore a lot of themes in their music. We still listen to these artists and many, many more.

The idea of Illusions of Grandeur is to create a world and tell the story of “The Siren” and her journeys. IOG’s love of both history and Greek/Norse Mythology felt that this was the best medium way to create a world for “The Siren Saga.”

Ah, the fun stuff.  What’s your craziest tour story or the wackiest thing that’s happened during a performance?  Feel free to be creative.

Touring and connecting with our fans and meeting new people worldwide, traveling is the best experience I feel you can have. During Illusions of Grandeur’s “The Songs of The Siren Tour 2019” the band played a few weeks in the Ukraine. One of those shows was in a small town called Smila in the Cherkasy Raion, Cherkasy Oblast of Ukraine. What we thought was a festival we were playing on, turned out to be a small festival built around IOG headlining. It was pretty crazy they turned the central park of the town into a festival ground with a large stage and it seemed like the whole town came out for the day. It was an amazing experience.

Up until this point in your career, what would you describe as your favorite song you’ve recorded or performed live? What makes that song special?

I would have to say 🎵 “Upon My Life” would be a favorite, because of the mix of metal and rock also the tempo really shows off the bands playing. IOG’s “Upon My Life” video was shot live at the tail end of The Rise of The Demons tour 2022 at The Vanguard in Hampton, VA. Upon My Life captures a section of the band’s live show. Additionally, the 🎵 “Take Me Alive” video was shot at the same show.

I would say the most requested song would be 🎵 “Silent Suicide” from our debut album, 💿 The Songs of The Siren. Crowds love to sing along with that one.

Closing out, what is Illusions of Grandeur currently working on, promoting that you can share with us or want us to know about? We love secrets, but there’s no pressure. 

IOG recently released a new single 🎵 “Midnight”.  It is the next step for Illusions of Grandeur, the 1st single from the forthcoming album, 💿 The Siren Rises, which the band hopes to have in release by early 2024. “Midnight” again takes the band musically into unfamiliar territory.

Illusions of Grandeur new single is on all streaming platforms and available on CD single at shows https://songwhip.com/illusionsofgrandeur/midnight

Illusions of Grandeur’s “The Siren Tour” continues through the remainder of 2023 into 2024. IOG are currently while tour producing their 3rd album the next story in The Siren Saga, “The Siren Rises Part 1 & 2” which the band looks to have out in 2024-2025.

We recommend you check out the album on our Bandcamp site.

Illusions of Grandeur is available on all social media + streaming platforms: Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / TikTok

Go to www.iogmusic.com to purchase CD’s directly from the band!

Video Links: Midnight / Demons / Take Me Alive.

Other Videos and Singles from the album, 💿 The Siren (2021) and 💿 The Songs of The Siren (2019):

Take me Alive (shot live The Vanguard, Hampton, VA) / Upon My Life / A Silence / The Prophet / DOWN / The Wolf / Crossing Over / Silent Suicide (Live Rok Bulava) / Mayhem.

Getting to Know… Illusions of Grandeur: Interview No. 378 [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Illusions of Grandeur; Tumisu via Pixabay]