It takes a keen eye to recognize any opportunity. It takes a strong hand to go forth and make something of it, be it forming a dream into reality, recognizing the talent of those around you or, in this case, building Empires.
Empires began in fall 2006 when long time friends Sean Van Vleet (vocals) and Tom Conrad (guitar) realized their musical chemistry together and, wanting to form a full band, aimed to complete the equation. They moved to Chicago in early 2007. The blessing of talented friends continued, when Max Steger (guitar) and Ryan Luciani (drums) joined in the months that followed. Though the search for a bass player was long, it was well worth it when Alfred Smith officially joined the band towards the end of the year. Their individual skills had been proven on stage and in the studio before, but there was unity and solidity together in this new band of old friends.
Throughout the whole of 2007, the as-yet-unnamed band wrote and created songs, playing and replaying and perfecting. The care and time with which the songs were formed allowed for an organic type of growth between the five members, every note and lyric being carefully placed on top of Luciani's hypnotic drums. Their name came in natural time as well, when Conrad and Van Vleet separately had the word Empires come their minds; it worked. With Steger at the helm producing, the recording process began in October.
Four months later, and done entirely by the band themselves, Howl was complete. Fifteen songs vigilantly written and recorded, an effort Empires are proud to release. Though some have been able to preview the tracks at their recent (and sold out) Chicago area shows, the complete album will be made available digitally, and for free, this spring. Howl is an eclectic rock record, with a timeless sound preceding the age of it's twenty-something writers. Empires will be bringing their completed work to stages across the rest of the country later on in 2008 but, in the mean time, enjoy its sound at myspace.com/empires. The anticipation of hearing this act over a year in the making may be hard to withstand, however, it's important to remember that Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither were Empires.
Howl Tracking Listing
01.) Spit the Dark
02.) I Want Blood
03.) Modern Love
04.) Valmont
05.) Believe!
06.) Late Night Rendezvous
07.) Warning Mark
08.) Don't Let it Fool You
09.) Under the Bright Lights
10.) All Night Long
11.) Midnight Land
12.) My Poor Lover
13.) Keep the Mood
14.) Anywhere
15.) Hayley
Excellent updating job, Ryan. *g* (We're assuming it's you. ) But I am still waiting on an answer about the penguins, you guys can't leave me hanging like that!
I'm putting a banner on my MySpace now. :] I've said this a million times before but I'm sooo excited for Howl. Oh, and nice pictures from the Matt Wysocki photoshoot. Booty shots inclusive. ;) xo
Hola Gente, me gustaría que cuando puedan pasen a escuchar los temas que subí, que son una premezcla de temas de mi disco MUDANZA, pronto a salir. Espero los disfruten, un abrazo esteban
Hey guys.. great tunes that you've got there, we loved it. If you guys have time so please stopping by to our page and listen to our new song (Believe) and feel free to give us a comment also.
I'm so excited for the album! I can't believe you're releasing it for free- I want to support you guys. I'll see if I can get my hands on a t-shirt. I wrote "Valmont" and "Midnight Land" on the toes of my converse today. :)
Is there anywhere online you've posted your lyrics?
It's been a couple weeks since I last wandered over to listen. This was just what I needed today. Thanks for making yet another day stuck at a desk job bearable.
Gahhh so excited. :] Twelve days! I'm gonna die of anticipation by then, I think. Hope you're all okay. I wish I could be there for the gig on the 18th. Damn Atlantic ocean, haha. xo
