- PREMIERE: Eloah Jones – “Under the Bridge” - November 18, 2021
- PREMIERE: Highbeams – “Campfires” - November 10, 2021
- Tali Azerad Shines on New Album - November 5, 2021
“I remain on highways and small stages
That’ll be the dream for me
See my friends on jet planes and big stages
And I wave and they’ll wave back
It’s all I ask, it’s all I ask”
Empires – “Lifers”
The Troubadour is a small stage size-wise, but it’s rather large in scope from a historical perspective. It has had some of the major icons in music grace the stage and is one of my favorite places to see live music in LA. Last night, Empires arrived, fresh off the highway from their hometown. Opening for Augustines, the Chicago rockers took the stage and showcased songs from their fantastic new album Orphan.
What is striking about this band is the distinct and impressive musicianship from every piece of the band. Nothing is generic, nothing is average, and everything is genuine. What the band created with Orphan translated to the stage in every facet:
-Crisp drums that stand out, rather than simply provide accompaniment or a tempo.
-Bold, fresh, and memorable guitar & bass lines that shine in almost every song.
-Strong, impressive vocals that carry the performance and set the band apart.
-Songwriting that transports the listener to a different place, sometimes a different decade.
Empires have it all and bring their hard work and passion onto the stage. They aren’t flying around the stage trying to be “wild, crazy rock band” and they aren’t going through the motions trying to be “too-cool, unaffected stars” either. Their energy and passion is natural, professional, and a pleasure to watch.
Songs like “Please Don’t Tell My Lover” and the set closer “How Good Does It Feel” lend themselves to any crowd with their instantly accessible nature. “Shadowfaux” is one of the highlights of the album and the set; it’s an absolute powerhouse of a track. In a time when synth-driven pop and electro/dance dominates the musical landscape, it’s refreshing to watch a band get up on stage and play music like this.
The band’s performance also brought two songs in particular to life: “Hostage” and “Honeyblood.” These tracks already sound excellent in the course of the album, but seeing them live seemed to bring out new dimensions to the songs and give them an extra flourish that is difficult to define.
If you haven’t yet treated yourself to the music of Empires, start with their albums Bang and Garage Hymns, then pick up Orphan on Tuesday. If you’re anything like me, you’ll have found one of your new favorite bands. They may be packed in a van driving long stretches of highway across the country, but if they keep making music with this much heart, it won’t be long before they’re on the other side of that line in “Lifers.”
Go see them on tour and say hi after the show – they’re incredibly nice guys!
9/18 • San Francisco – The Independent
9/20 • Bend, OR – Old St Francis School
9/21 • Seattle, WA – Showbox
9/22 • Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom
9/26 • Chicago, IL – W Hotel
9/27 • Cincinnati, OH – Midpoint Music Festival
9/28 • Springfield, IL – The Radon Lounge
10/1 • Columbia, MO – Mojo’s
10/2 • Kansas City, MO – The recordBar
10/4 • Austin, TX – Austin City Limits
10/10 • Austin, TX – Stubb’s BBQ: Inside
10/11 • Austin, TX – Austin City Limits
10/17 • Akron, OH – Musica
10/18 • Columbus, OH – Rumba Cafe
10/19 • Grand Rapids, MI – Founders Brewing Co
10/21 • Minneapolis, MN – 7th St Entry
10/23 • DeKalb, IL – The House Cafe
10/24 • Champaign, IL – Error Records
11/7 • Pontiac, MI – The Pike Room
11/8 • Pittsburgh, PA – The Smiling Moose
11/9 • Philadelphia, PA – The Barbary
11/11 • Boston, MA – Church of Boston
11/14 • Brooklyn, NY – Baby’s All Right
11/15 • Washington, DC – DC9
11/16 • Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle
11/19 • Nashville, TN – the High Watt
