The minor media attention given to Toronto electro-dance pop trio Young Empires and their apparently fantastic NXNE show at the Dakota Tavern back in June some how evaded me but now I'm noticing. Actually to be more truthful, music blogger friend Ryan O'shaughnessy (of music site Tunes in T.O.) had mentioned to me back at the end of August that British music publication NME had contacted him for permission to use one of his photos of the band for an upcoming issue, and that was actually the first time the band's name was on my radar. And since their set at NXNE the press on the band has been heating up. More recently having seen that the band is slated to open up for Parisian act Jamaica at Wrongbar in Toronto on October 19 but then also realizing that both acts will be in New York City during the time I'm down there for CMJ, motivated me to sample some of Young Empires' wares. And the verdict? Great stuff. The trio consisting of Matthew Vlahovich, Robert Aaron Ellingson, and Jake Palahnuk, concoct a satisfying mix of guitar, bass, synths, and sampled beats, displaying their best in my opinion on their song "White Doves" a fully realized slice of melodic electro post-punk. Currently, the band remains unsigned but I'm fully impressed by the demos that are currently up on their MySpace site, even if none of the other songs quite match the brilliance of "White Doves". I'm also really impressed with the quality of their music videos which are conceptually interesting and well-shot. I don't forsee this band remaining unsigned for very long and it's quite likely I'll try to check them out during CMJ, sooner rather than later.
For those who'll be in New York City this week for CMJ, Young Empires will be playing a few shows[info from their MySpace]:
23 Oct 2010 - Arlenes /// CMJ
23 Oct 2010 - HypeM Afterhours /// CMJ PureVolume House
And for those of you back in Toronto here's where you can catch them[info from their MySpace]:
19 Oct 2010 - Wrongbar /// with Jamaica
19 Nov 2010 - Steamwhistle Brewery /// Unsigned Concert Series
MySpace: Young Empires
Video: Young Empires - "White Doves" (performance video)
Video: Young Empires - "White Doves" (music video)
Video: Young Empires - "Against The Wall" (music video)
Video: Young Empires - "Diamond Rings" (music video)
Video: Young Empires - "Glory Of The Night" (music video)
Video: Young Empires - "Rain Of Gold" (music video)
You can also catch them in Rochester, NY this Friday (10/22) if you want to make the drive down...
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