Code Indigo Online

Band History

Classic Electronic Rock 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.

Code Indigo is David Wright, Robert Fox, Andy Lobban, Dave Massey and Nigel Turner-Heffer. The band 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 the German Concert in the City of Duisburg in May 1997. Over 1000 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 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-up recorded 'Uforia' in West Sussex during 1999 with guest musicians and 'Sweet Like Chocolate' singer Sharon Woolf and other renowned session players. '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 despite a London Concert with an impressive visual backdrop to launch the album in September 1999.

Despite "Uforia" not achieving its intended mainstream success, Code Indigo remained one of AD Music's most prominent acts. 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.

Early in 2000, David Wright and Robert Fox 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.

The 'Special Edition' 4 CD box set 'Blue' was released and coincided with a return to Derby Cathedral in October 200, 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, producer/programmer Dave Massey joined Fox, Wright and Lobban to form the next incarnation of Code Indigo. They were joined by guest vocalist Louise Eggerton whose unique vocal textures were to take centre stage on the 3rd studio album.

One year later on July 5th 2003, "TimeCode" 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 unreleased* track "Timeloop" was placed 5th in the 'Best Track of 2004' category. (*Timeloop was a TimeCode out-take submitted as an exclusive to Schwingungen Radio).

During 2005 work then began on the 4th studio album "Chill". The eco conscious album would see a return to a FWTB style concept album: strong musical themes from Wright & Fox and Andy Lobban's superb guitar taking center stage. The album is also notable for its powerful contemporary rhythms by Dave Massey.

The release of 'Chill' coincided with the bands final National Space Centre Concert in Leicester on 27th May 2006. Although enjoyed by the enthusiastic audience, the three man on-stage line-up for the concert was a stepping stone to the current, and arguably best, Code Indigo line-up. Louise Eggerton had left the band some months before the concert, and a second guitarist, Nigel Turner-Heffer, was recruited soon after, as the band sought a more dynamic stage presentation allied to a striking visual backdrops prepared by Dave Massey.

The new five man line up (Dave Massey remains a non live playing member) headlined the e-live festival in Eindhoven on 14th October 2006, taking the event by storm and producing a powerhouse performance that was recorded, and along with previous live music and the recording of a UK concert at the Fisher Theatre Bungay on November 18th 2006, formed the basis for the acclaimed double "In Concert" CD, released early in 2007.

At the time of going to press, the bands only UK concert of 2007 is planned for Wales on November 10th and a new studio album is planned for late 2008.