Wed
Jun
27
The Rocketboys
Instant Empire, From Indian Lakes
On their recent recordings "20,000 Ghosts" and "Wellwisher," The Rocketboys perfectly married themes of unity and brotherhood with rich, soaring rock, lifting the band to national critical acclaim. The band supported its releases with lengthy tours and multiple festival appearances. Almost inevitably though the rigors of the road took their toll, eventually rupturing the band's momentum in the winter of 2010-11. Three members of the sextet of college friends from Abilene, Texas left to focus on other endeavors, and the split nearly ended the band.
The resulting hiatus did have its upside, allowing front-man Brandon Kinder a window both to release a solo EP (under the name "The Wealthy West") and to pen the theme song for The Discovery Channel's new hit show "Bering Sea Gold." However, in the end, the three remaining members (Kinder, keyboardist Justin Wiseman, and bassist Josh Campbell) agreed they weren't at peace letting their collaborative venture cease to exist.
The initial hurdles of rebuilding, though difficult and disheartening, began to give way to new-found inspiration. Though the song-writing process drastically changed as a result of the reduced lineup, with less proverbial "cooks in the kitchen," a more broad, dynamic range of ideas and visions than ever fermented and flourished. The end result and forthcoming album is Build Anyway. Recorded in their home studio and mixed by CJ Eiriksson (U2, Live, Phish), the album chronicles the emotions through the brokenness in abandonment to the search for peace and closure, both personally and musically.
Build Anyway is set for a June 5th release followed by national touring in Summer 2012.
"What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway."
- Kent Keith (made famous by Mother Teresa)
Three songs. Ten minutes. Instant Empire’s third EP, Keep Up!, is all sharp edges and lean muscle. It is fighting weight. Someone along the way said it sounds like a broken nose feels. That’s good, right? It even made the recording engineer cry once the sentiment sank in.
Keep Up! is a reckoning, an awakening, an act of contrition. It's one final attempt at clarity. Inspired in part by T.S. Eliot, the EP imagines the voice of a younger (and slightly more intoxicated) J. Alfred Prufrock. It’s the bastard son of blackout nights and mornings coming down, and it begs to be turned up loud as the band stretches out more powerfully than ever before.
Both the title track and “Flickering Youth” are standouts.
Since releasing Heavy Hollow in May 2012, the band has been writing and gigging as much as possible. They bought a van and are convinced she has it out for them. Meanwhile, the guys continue to refine their craft, and 2013 is slated for more touring and a full-length. They are growing this thing slowly, one step at a time, pushing the rock up the hill. And they love it.
Instant Empire is:
Scotty Saunders – Words and Vocals
Sean Connaughty – Words and Guitars
Lou Kucera – Guitars and Background Vocals
Aaron Stone – Bass and Background Vocals
Doug Chase – Keyboards and Percussion
Matt Grizzell – Drums
"From Indian Lakes could easily be handpicked as one of the best alternative rock bands most people have never heard of. The California quintet blend intelligent and touching lyrics with entrancing rock to create a musical organism that sounds like Brand New's poetic yet daring younger brother." - Blare Magazine
"...one of the better unknown efforts of 2009...if you are akin to tapestries of sonic guitars, vocals with impressive range, and a very personal approach filled with echoed pianos and acoustics, then "The Man With Wooden Legs" will feel like a worthy journey that will take you where few have traveled, and even less have succeeded in. Score: 4.5/5"- BringOneMixedReviews
"This album overall sounds beautiful, and will be something new for those of you who enjoy Enter Shikari and Circa Survive." -The Interlude
Who’s Going
Upcoming Events
Hi-Dive
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Tue, June 18
The Wild
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Wed, June 19
Dirty Bourbon River Show
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Thu, June 20
Mount Moriah
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Fri, June 21
Emily Wells
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Sat, June 22
TRVE Brewing 1 Year Anniversary
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Sun, June 23
Torres, Lady Lamb the Beekeeper
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Mon, June 24
The Dig
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Tue, June 25
Judson Claiborne
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Thu, June 27
Water Liars
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Fri, June 28
Colfax Speed Queen Vinyl Release