Insanguine

Jarien Sky | Rhythm Guitar, Vocals

Tay Sky | Guitar, Vocals

Troy Tietge | Drums

Byron Stevens | Bass

Gwendolyn Hartley-Prime | Vocals

A year and a half ago, a band was forming in Iowa City, and needed a name. The guitarist combined “insane” and “sanguine” to create Insanguine. They kept the name even after realizing that ensanguine actually means “to be covered in blood.”

The band’s story goes back further than a year and a half ago, though. Jarien and Tay began playing together as teens. “Music was something that helped us overcome the challenges young people face,” Jarien says.

Tay and Jarien have been friends with Gwen for a decade. “She responded to an online ad we had posted, looking for a female vocalist,” Jarien says. “She didn’t know it was us.”

They met Troy through a mutual friend. Then Troy met Byron at a local pub, and they had their bass player.

The bulk of their music is original.

“It’s more exciting to create than to re-create,” says Troy.

“We write songs that reflect our diverse influences and interests,” added Jarien. “European metal is the greatest influence on our guitar and drum-driven songs. Lyrically, we mostly reflect on events in society and our own lives. We also write about ancient history, as in The Rhine Flows North, which Troy wrote about his Germanic ancestry.”

An Insanguine show is loud, electrifying and heavy. Gwen likes to dance on stage, and the rest of the band are in constant motion.

These days they are recording. “Our first CD is almost done,” says Troy. “We’ll be gigging relentlessly, and ultimately of course we’d love a record label contract and the opportunity to quit our jobs and tour the world.”