Icehouse

The sound of Icehouse, led by Iva Davies, was built on a foundation of Australian rock with a strong inclination toward experimentation and songcraft. Since their beginnings in 1977, the band, which first went by the name Flowers, stood out for their interpretations of songs by artists such as David Bowie and Brian Eno, allowing them to gain a solid reputation in the Sydney scene. Davies’ music, often described as a reflection of the Australia of his time, proved to be a magnet for young audiences.

A major turning point arrived in 1980, when they signed with Regular Records. Their first single, «Can´t Help Myself», burst into the Australian Top 10, closely followed by their debut album, also titled Icehouse. This record not only reached number 4 on the charts in their home country but remained there for 45 weeks, earning multiple platinum discs in Australia and New Zealand. The band demonstrated remarkable adaptability, incorporating synthesizers like the Sequential Circuits Prophet 5 in their recordings, which gave them a distinctive sound.

new wave Pop Rock new romantic Pop rock 1970s

1 Albums

16 Songs

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Touch the Fire

Great Southern Land · 1989

3:49 02

Can't Help Myself

Great Southern Land · 1989

3:43 03

Hey, Little Girl

Great Southern Land · 1989

4:24 04

Great Southern Land

Great Southern Land · 1989

5:22 05

Paradise

Great Southern Land · 1989

4:45 06

Sister

Great Southern Land · 1989

3:26 07

No Promises

Great Southern Land · 1989

4:41 08

Jimmy Dean

Great Southern Land · 1989

4:03 09

Cross the Border

Great Southern Land · 1989

3:59 10

Street Cafe

Great Southern Land · 1989

4:12

1 album|s · 1989

Full discography

1989 ★ Essential

Great Southern Land

16 song|s · new wave

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Biography

The year 1982 marked a milestone with the release of Primitive Man, a project that Iva Davies carried out solo, pioneering the use of a Linn Drum Machine in Australia. This album, known in Europe as Love in Motion, was critically acclaimed and became their big international breakthrough. The single «Hey, Little Girl» resonated strongly, reaching high positions on charts in several countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States. Another key track from this album, «Great Southern Land», became an emblematic piece for the band. The success of Primitive Man opened doors, leading to invitations to open for David Bowie in Europe and later in the United States, though the latter was declined due to prior commitments.

In 1987, Icehouse released Man of Colours, an album that coincided with the peak of their fame and international success. This work is considered by many to be their masterpiece, and it spawned singles such as «Crazy» and «Electric Blue». The latter, co-written by John Oates of Hall and Oates, reached number 7 on the U.S. charts, solidifying the band’s presence in the global market. Throughout their career, Icehouse also explored collaborations, such as the soundtrack for the dance production Boxes by the Sydney Dance Company in 1985, and for Berlin in 1995, where Davies worked with pianist Max Lambert.