Empire Circus
| Empire Circus | |
|---|---|
 On stage at The Saint | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Dublin, Ireland |
| Genres | Rock, Alternative rock |
| Years active | 1994 – present |
| Labels | Paper Scissors Rock |
| Website | |
| Members |
Neil Eurelle Alan Doyle David Walsh Brian Ellis |
Empire Circus is a 4-piece alternative rock band from Dublin, Ireland[1] currently residing in Dublin. Originally compared to early R.E.M., The Smithereens, and Lennon, they have more recently been compared to early Maroon 5, Young The Giant, and Arcade Fire.[2]
History
Early days
The members of Stand were working-class childhood friends and schoolmates. They considered each other family. They formed a garage band together in Dublin, Ireland in 1994. The band played a lot of gigs and saved enough to set up their own digital recording studio.[3]
Correspondent
In 1999 Stand released their first album, Correspondent. The album was produced by Pat Donne (Picture House, Paddy Casey). The album was released on the band's independent label, New World Music, and sold 20,000 copies. Two singles from Correspondent, appeared on the Irish charts in 1999. "Breathing, but there's no air" reached No. 23 and "Questions" made it to No. 9.[3] The year culminated in the band's show in Vicar street. The show in Vicar Street was sold out.
The US
By 1999 Stand had accomplished as much as it could in Ireland, so they decided to try their hand in the New York music scene.[3] They moved to Flushing, Queens, New York. Flushing is near Woodside and Sunnyside, where there are lots of Irish bars.[3] At first they played small shows in various clubs around the city. In less than six months they were playing six nights a week in clubs such as Manhattan's The Bitter End, the same career path followed by Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen.[3] It was at one of these shows that a US colleges booking agent spotted the band and invited them to play at various colleges across the North & Southeast.[4]
Back Home for Beautiful Grey
Stand's second studio album, again recorded in Dublin under their own label, was launched inside the HQ (now Spirit Nightclub) in 2001. The album was not launched in music stores; however, making it primarily available through their website or at the various shows around the country. The album was really the starting point for the band; with songs 'Beautiful Grey', 'Hoper' and 'Little Sweet Lucifer' reappearing on their next album.
New York Interval
Stand returned to the New York scene, where they had built an impressive following, primarily due to the kinetic energy of their live performances. With this in mind, it was fitting that the band record a live CD, performed at Arlene's Grocery, which was sponsored by Budweiser. Although, not on general release, fans received copies through the website or at shows.
In a Happy Place/Transmissions
In 2004 Stand announced the launch of their third studio album, In A Happy Place,[4] and performed a show in Vicar Street, with support from Juliet Turner. The album's featured new material along with a re-recording of Laying Low (originally on Correspondent). The album was released in major music stores; however, sales were poor. For the launch in the U.S., the band re-recorded the album under the title Transmissions. The album featured reworking of such songs as Dead Ends, Beautiful Grey & Big Bold Moves.
Travel Light
After numerous gigs both in the States and in Ireland, Stand returned to the studio in 2006 to create their fourth studio album, Travel Light. The album is reportedly a collaboration with a Nashville studio sage, Jay Joyce, who has also produced records by Shelby Lynne, John Hiatt and Patti Griffin.[1] The album, which contained all new material, instantly resonated not only with fans but with music critics; and many felt that the album was their best work to date, with songs such as Travel Light and Low Culture - a departure from earlier work. The song, Dressed to Kill, was given airplay on Irish radio station Phantom FM. The members of Stand spent the last two years promoting their fourth studio album, Travel Light, both in Ireland and in the United States. The record was critically acclaimed, leading the band to sell out the prestigious Bowery Ballroom in New York City.
Pure Music School
After seven years of touring and recording in the US, the band returned to Ireland in 2008 to open the Pure Music school.[2] In June 2009 the band entered the studio of famed Buffalo, New York band The Goo Goo Dolls to record 10 songs under the guidance of producer Marc Swersky. These songs were being mixed by Grammy Award-winning mix engineer Mark Needham in Los Angeles.
Empire Circus
The band, now calling itself Empire Circus, spent time writing and revising music in the Spring and Summer of 2012. They then recorded twelve tracks in a studio in Brooklyn under the supervision of Producer/Engineer/Mixer Bryce Goggin. Goggin is known for his work with the Ramones, The Morning Glories, and Antony and the Johnsons.[5] The album was titled Empire Circus. This new album has elements of American rock, and has been described as "uptempo alt-pop...with a hint of electro and ballad tinged piano."[2]
Line-up
Current members
- Neil Eurelle - Vocals, Bass
- Alan Doyle - Guitar, Vocals
- David Walsh - Lead guitar, Keyboards
- Brian Ellis - Drums
Former Stand members
- Carl Dowling - Drums, Backing vocals
References
- 1 2 Miers, Jeff (3 February 2006). "Stand tall: [Final Edition]". Buffalo News, [Buffalo, N.Y]. p. G28. Check date values in:
|access-date=(help); - 1 2 3 Kane, Claire (2 July 2013). "Empire Circus – Empire Circus EP. Review". Golden Plec. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Ruhling, Nancy A. (26 February 2001). "Irish Lads 'Stand' By for Fame / Hit band from Dublin, living in Flushing, aims for a record deal". Newsday, Queens, NY Edition. p. A19.
- 1 2 Staff (3 February 2006). "STAND "In A Happy Place"". Western People [Ballina].
- ↑ Staff (25 June 2013). "Introducing...Empire Circus". MuzuTV blog. Retrieved 8 August 2013.