Empire! Empire! (I Was a Lonely Estate) explained

Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate)
Origin:Fenton, Michigan
Years Active:2006–2016
Label:Count Your Lucky Stars, Topshelf
Past Members:Keith Latinen
Cathy Latinen
Jon Steinhoff
Joseph Dane

Empire! Empire! (I Was a Lonely Estate) was an American emo[1] [2] band from Michigan. It was formed in 2006 originally as a solo project of band member Keith Latinen. The band's music is most often described as emotional indie rock reminiscent of '90s emo bands such as Mineral and American Football. The band's first release was in 2007 with an EP titled When The Sea Became A Giant. The band released a full-length album, What It Takes To Move Forward, in 2009. The band is signed to Count Your Lucky Stars Records and has released albums on a number of other labels, such as strictly no capital letters (UK), Topshelf Records, Stiff Slack (Japan), and Hobbledehoy Record Co (Australia). The band released their second album You Will Eventually Be Forgotten on August 19, 2014. On February 16, 2016, the band announced their final tour before their breakup on their official Facebook page.[3]

History

2006–2008: early years

Empire! Empire! (I Was a Lonely Estate) was started as a solo project by Keith so that he "could get good enough to record" for his and Cathy's current project called Anna Flyaway.[4] [5] After they stopped making music under Anna Flyaway, they continued on with the new project.

In January 2007, Empire! Empire! self-released their first LP titled When The Sea Became A Giant on CD.[6] [7] [8] Later, they would re-issue it on their label Count Your Lucky Stars Records.

2009–2013: What It Takes To Move Forward

In September 2009, the band released their first studio album titled What It Takes To Move Forward on Count Your Lucky Stars Records. A few months later, a Japanese version would be released on Stiff Slack records which included alternate cover art and 2 bonus tracks.

Following their album release, the band went on a short US tour in 2010 with various supporting bands.[9] Vulture.com listed "Keep What You Have Built Up Here" as number 87 of the 100 greatest emo songs.[2]

Beginning in March 2012, the band went on a West Coast tour of the US with Warren Franklin, followed by a month-long tour of the United Kingdom in November with fellow Michigan band The Reptilian.[10] The tour included stops in Ireland and Scotland.[11]

In April 2013, Empire! Empire! returned to Europe for a tour supporting The World Is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die.[12] [13]

2014–2016: You Will Eventually Be Forgotten

5 years after the last full-length album was released, the band announced in June 2014 their next album You Will Eventually Be Forgotten would be released in August with an accompanying graphic novel, Ribbon.[14] [15] The first single from You Will Eventually Be Forgotten, entitled If It's Bad News, It Can Wait, premiered on Stereogum on July 7.[16]

In the summer of 2014, the band joined The Early November and Warren Franklin & the Founding Fathers on an all-acoustic US tour.[17] According to Keith, this was their first such tour.[18] The first song from the new album was released on July 22 entitled A Keepsake and premiered on NPR.[19]

On August 13, 2014, Interview Magazine exclusively premiered the new album on their site, allowing users to stream the full album 6 days before the physical release.[20] That fall, the band toured with Free Throw in support of the new album.[21] [22] The first chapter of the accompanying graphic novel Ribbon was posted on Wondering Sound and featured illustrations by Ben Sears with story by Keith.[23] On the heels of this new album, the band released a split 7-inch record with Joie de Vivre in November, with a single premiering on stereogum a month prior to release.[24] [25]

Then, in late January 2015, a drunk man driving a pickup truck crashed into Keith and Cathy's house in rural Michigan. The driver slammed into Empire!'s parked van and lodged the truck in the front of their house.[26] To help recoup the cost of a new used van, a GoFundMe page was created for donations. Despite this setback, the band followed through with their planned tour alongside Warren Franklin and The Founding Fathers which started just 4 days after the crash.[27]

In May, Empire! Empire! toured the US with Dikembe, then went out with The Saddest Landscape in November on their record release tour.[28] [29] Later that year, the band posted 2 bonus tracks from You Will Eventually Be Forgotten that were included with the Japanese release on Stiff Slack records. The tracks were posted to the band's Bandcamp page.[30] Then, in July 2016, they performed and recorded a 3-song set for Little Elephant which was available as a 12-inch record.[31]

After making music for 10 years, the band announced on February 16, 2016, that they would be breaking up after going on one last tour with Warren Franklin & the Founding Fathers in April of the same year. The band played their final show On May 7, 2016, in Flint, MI at Flint Local 432. They had support from The Cardboard Swords, The Island of Misfit Toys, Mountains for Clouds, The Reptilian, Joie De Vivre, and Warren Franklin & the Founding Fathers.[32] [33] [34]

On April 5, Empire! Empire! released a music video for A Keepsake off of their final album: a song which features vocals by Bob Nanna of Braid. It was released exclusively on music site Brooklyn Vegan and was the band's first-ever video.[35]

Name

Latinen thought of the band's long name when it was still his solo project. He wanted a name that sounded "elaborate and artistic" but admits that if he would have known that the project would form into a full band he would have chosen something easier to remember.[36]

Keith explains the name:

Members

Final lineup

Past members

Jon Murrell, Rich, Ahmad, or Danny have never written/recorded anything with the band.[37]

Discography

Studio albums

EPs

7-inches

Splits

Compilations

Reviews

Notes and References

  1. Web site: DeVille. Chris. 12 Bands To Know From The Emo Revival. Stereogum. October 2013 . 28 November 2013.
  2. Web site: The 100 Greatest Emo Songs of All Time . Vulture.com . . Ian Cohen . David Anthony . Nina Corcoran . Emma Garland . Brad Nelson . February 13, 2020 . February 15, 2020.
  3. Web site: Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate) breaking up after final tour (dates). 16 February 2016 . BrooklynVegan. 17 February 2016.
  4. News: Empire! Empire! (I Was a Lonely Estate). Jones. Dale. May 20, 2013. Violitionist Sessions. 2018-05-16. en-us.
  5. Web site: A fallen empire. Mitchell. Morgan. February 23, 2016. The Chimes Biola University. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20180516010654/http://chimes.biola.edu/story/2016/feb/23/fallen-empire/. May 16, 2018. 2018-05-16.
  6. Web site: Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate) - When The Sea Became A Giant. mschmitt. June 1, 2007. May 15, 2018. September 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180930210729/http://www.musicemissions.com/artists/albums/index.php?album_id=6583. dead.
  7. News: Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate) - When the Sea Became A Giant Review. Collective Zine. 2018-05-16. en.
  8. Web site: Empire! Empire! (I Was a Lonely Estate) - When The Sea Became A Giant (album review) Sputnikmusic. www.sputnikmusic.com. 2018-05-16.
  9. Web site: Empire! Empire! [I Was A Lonely Estate] hit the road Under the Gun Review]. Shotwell. James. underthegunreview.net. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20180516124736/http://underthegunreview.net/2010/01/01/empire_empire_tour/. May 16, 2018. 2018-05-16.
  10. Web site: empire! empire! (i was a lonely estate) Announces West Coast/SXSW Tour. Osborne. Tyler. February 8, 2012. underthegunreview.net. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20180517170208/http://underthegunreview.net/2012/02/08/empire-empire-i-was-a-lonely-estate-announces-west-coastsxsw-tour/. May 17, 2018. 2018-05-17.
  11. Web site: Empire! Empire! (I Was a Lonely Estate)/The Reptilian UK Tour. Janes. Steve. October 31, 2012. WithGuitars. en-GB. https://web.archive.org/web/20180517171516/http://www.withguitars.com/empire-empire-i-was-a-lonely-estatethe-reptilian-uk-tour/. May 17, 2018. 2018-05-17.
  12. Web site: The World Is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die / Empire! Empire! (I Was a Lonely Estate) // UK & EU tour. December 18, 2013. Topshelf Records. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20180516013611/http://www.topshelfrecords.com/news/posts/3164-the-world-is-a-beautiful-place-i-am-no-longer-afraid-to-die-empire-empire-i-was-a-lonely-estate-uk-eu-tour. May 16, 2018. 2018-05-16.
  13. Web site: The World Is A Beautiful Place and Empire! Empire! Announce European Tour Under the Gun Review. Sennett. Troy. December 18, 2013. underthegunreview.net. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20180516013822/http://underthegunreview.net/2013/12/18/the-world-is-a-beautiful-place-and-empire-empire-announce-european-tour/. May 16, 2018. 2018-05-16.
  14. Web site: Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate) Announce New Album. Hanan. Tyler. June 19, 2014. underthegunreview.net. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20180516014533/http://underthegunreview.net/2014/06/19/empire-empire-i-was-a-lonely-estate-announce-new-album/. May 16, 2018. 2018-05-16.
  15. News: Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate) "You Will Eventually Be Forgotten" Album Review. Boyhtari. Sam. September 8, 2014. 88.3FM WXOU Radio. 2018-05-16. en-US.
  16. News: Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate) – "If It's Bad News, It Can Wait" (. DeVille. Chris. 2014-07-07. Stereogum. 2018-05-17. https://web.archive.org/web/20180517172002/https://www.stereogum.com/1690620/empire-empire-i-was-a-lonely-estate-if-its-bad-news-it-can-wait-stereogum-premiere/mp3s/. May 17, 2018.
  17. Web site: The Early November touring acoustic w/ Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate) (dates & streams) . Sacher . Andrew . May 30, 2014 . brooklynvegan.com . Townsquare Media . May 14, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180514234656/http://www.brooklynvegan.com/the-early-novem-1/ . May 14, 2018 .
  18. Web site: Interviews: Keith Latinen (Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate)) . Wisniewski . Kira . September 15, 2014 . punknews.org . May 14, 2018 . we've never done an acoustic tour before . https://web.archive.org/web/20180514233718/https://www.punknews.org/article/55982/interviews-keith-latinen-empire-empire-i-was-a-lonely-estate . May 14, 2018 .
  19. News: Song Premiere: Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate), 'A Keepsake'. Gotrich. Lars. July 22, 2014. NPR.org. 2018-05-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20180517132634/https://www.npr.org/sections/allsongs/2014/07/22/333575106/song-premiere-empire-empire-i-was-a-lonely-estate-a-keepsake. May 17, 2018. en.
  20. News: Exclusive Album Premiere: 'You Will Eventually Be Forgotten,' Empire! Empire! (I Was a Lonely Estate) - Interview Magazine. Symonds. Alexandria. 2014-08-13. Interview Magazine. 2018-05-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20180517133142/https://www.interviewmagazine.com/music/exclusive-album-premiere-you-will-eventually-be-forgotten-empire-empire-i-was-a-lonely-estate. May 17, 2018. en-US.
  21. News: Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate) & Free Throw Fall Tour Dates. Kast. Ruth. 2014-08-13. Infectious Magazine. 2018-05-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20180517134204/https://infectiousmagazine.com/empire-empire-i-was-a-lonely-estate-free-throw-fall-tour-dates/. May 17, 2018. en-US.
  22. Web site: Free Throw To Tour With Empire! Empire!, Premiere New Single From Debut LP. Garza. Mark. August 21, 2014. underthegunreview.net. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20180517134438/http://underthegunreview.net/2014/08/21/free-throw-to-tour-with-empire-empire-premiere-new-single-from-debut-lp/. May 17, 2018. 2018-05-16.
  23. Web site: Graphic Novel Premiere: Empire! Empire!, "A Keepsake" Wondering Sound. August 6, 2014. wonderingsound.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20140811042524/http://www.wonderingsound.com/news/graphic-novel-premiere-empire-empire-keepsake/. August 11, 2014. 2018-05-16.
  24. News: Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate) – "Some Doors Aren't Locked, They Open Without A Key" (. DeVille. Chris. 2014-10-28. Stereogum. 2018-05-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20180517135040/https://www.stereogum.com/1714809/empire-empire-i-was-a-lonely-estate-some-doors-arent-locked-they-open-without-a-key-stereogum-premiere/mp3s/. May 17, 2018.
  25. News: Empire! Empire! and Joie de Vivre announce Split 7", post new song. Herrera. Alberto. October 28, 2014. Punkvideosrock. 2018-05-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20180517135505/http://www.punkvideosrock.com/?p=9483. May 17, 2018. en-us.
  26. Web site: US Emo Band Escape Injury After Ute Crashes Into Members' Home. January 28, 2015. theMusic. en-GB. https://web.archive.org/web/20180517135801/http://themusic.com.au/news/all/2015/01/28/empire-empire-escape-injury-after-ute-crashes-into-band-members-home/. May 17, 2018. 2018-05-16.
  27. Web site: Empire! Empire! reissuing their debut & playing it on tour. January 5, 2015. BrooklynVegan. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20180517140133/http://www.brooklynvegan.com/empire-empire-r/. May 17, 2018. 2018-05-16.
  28. Web site: Tours: Dikembe / Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate). Paul. Aubin. May 19, 2015. www.punknews.org. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20180517140547/https://www.punknews.org/article/57928/tours-dikembe-empire-empire-i-was-a-lonely-estate. May 17, 2018. 2018-05-17.
  29. News: Topshelf Records' The Saddest Landscape announce 7-inch and LP releases and tour. Witherow. Barbara. 2015-08-28. Substream Magazine. 2018-05-17. en-US.
  30. Web site: Emo rockers from EMPIRE! EMPIRE! release 2 new tracks!. Kamiński. Karol. 2015-12-02. idioteq.com. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20180517164439/https://idioteq.com/emo-indie-rockers-empire-empire-release-2-new-bonus-tracks-off-japanese-edition-2014-album-will-eventually-forgotten/. May 17, 2018. 2018-05-16.
  31. Web site: Little Elephant continues lathe cut series. Lantinen. Christopher. November 16, 2016. modern-vinyl.com. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20180517164819/http://modern-vinyl.com/2016/11/16/little-elephant-continues-lathe-cut-series/. May 17, 2018. 2018-05-16.
  32. News: SoundCloud changed my life: An introduction to DIY music. Polsinelli. Dominic. November 30, 2016. The Michigan Daily. 2018-05-16. en.
  33. News: Empire! Empire! calls it quits. Manarang. Jon. April 28, 2016. The Torch. 2018-05-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20180517172303/https://www.torchonline.com/entertainment/2016/04/28/empire-empire-calls-it-quits/. May 17, 2018. en-US.
  34. News: Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate) Announce Breakup And Farewell Tour. Flores. Angie. 2016-02-16. Infectious Magazine. 2018-05-17. https://web.archive.org/web/20180517165604/https://infectiousmagazine.com/empire-empire-i-was-a-lonely-estate-announce-breakup-and-farewell-tour/. May 17, 2018. en-US.
  35. Web site: watch Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate)'s first-ever music video. Sacher. Andrew. April 5, 2017. BrooklynVegan. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20180517165746/http://www.brooklynvegan.com/watch-empire-empire-i-was-a-lonely-estates-first-ever-music-video/. May 17, 2018. 2018-05-16.
  36. Diatribe Inc. "Empire! Empire! (I Was a Lonely Estate) interview", 5/21/2010
  37. Web site: Empire! Empire! (I was A Lonely Estate) Tumblr . tumblr.com . 2013-03-03.
  38. Web site: What It Takes to Move Forward: Empire! Empire! (I Was a Lonely Estate): MP3 . Amazon . 2010-06-19.
  39. Web site: You Will Eventually Be Forgotten: Empire! Empire! (I Was a Lonely Estate): MP3 . Amazon . 2014-07-23.
  40. Web site: [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1041395|pure_url=yes}} When the Sea Became a Giant ]. allmusic . 2010-06-19.
  41. Web site: [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1344029|pure_url=yes}} Year of the Rabbit ]. allmusic . 2010-06-19.

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