The project of Ioanna Gika and Leopold Ross, Io Echo combines atmospheric synth pop, guitar, and instrumentation such as Japanese koto and Chinese violins, inspired by a period of time when Gika's family lived and traveled throughout Southeast Asia. Ross, who also played bass in the Big Pink, was introduced to Gika by a mutual friend and soon began writing songs together, inspired by the Velvet Underground and '90s industrial among other influences. The duo released their debut EP in October 2012 and gigged with the likes of Bloc Party, Nine Inch Nails, Haim, Jon Hopkins, New Order, and others. The following April, Io Echo's first full-length Ministry of Love arrived, coinciding with their tour with Garbage. Ioanna Gika released her first solo album Thalassa in April of 2019.