ILK

ILK biography
ILK are a British studio project spearheaded by multi-instrumentalist Richard Youngs in conjunction with collaborator Andrew Paine. While Youngs has dabbled with the genre across his sprawling solo discography, ILK is essentially his idiosyncratic tribute to progressive rock, blending psychedelic folk, Canterbury and kosmische electronic influences with nods to the symphonic prog of Yes and the Moody Blues and the deep-space experimentation of early Pink Floyd.

ILK made their debut in 1998 with Zenith, released via Youngs' No Fans Records label, in which Paine was merely co-lyricist while Youngs handled all instrumental duties. In the intervening years, Paine learned guitar and gained familiarity with bass, keyboards and percussion, leading him to join Youngs as full-fledged member of ILK. In 2004, while recording abstract electronics for a separate project under their given names, Youngs and Paine sought to return to playing instruments, simultaneously working on ILK's sophomore, Canticle, which saw the light of day via VHF Records in 2005.

2008's Language of the Court and 2009's Panegyric Territories: Volume I were released on Paine's label Sonic Oyster Records, the latter album featuring additional contributions from Youngs' son Sorley. ILK's most recent activity was 2017's Glitterfish, issued on Glass Miniature and demonstrating the duo at their most stripped-down, with Paine performing organ and Youngs on drum machine.


- Gordy, April 2024