Preview: Empire! Empire! (I Was a Lonely Estate), Great Dane, Ghost Stories, Rambo / November 4 / Th
By Sammi Nelson, Blogs Editor
The Union / Tuesday, November 4, 2014
November has quickly settled in the hills of Athens bringing colder weather, multiple layers of clothing, the likelihood of snowfall and also Empire! Empire! (I Was a Lonely Estate).
Just as Ohio’s weather comes and goes, Empire! Empire! will grace Athens with their presence for a brief time, specifically Tuesday, Nov. 4 at The Union.
For those who are unfamiliar with Empire! Empire!, the band is known for their emotive indie rock. They are often described as an emo revival band, reminiscent of the classic emo sound introduced in the '90s.
Empire! Empire! was originally a solo project started by Keith Latinen, a multi-instrumentalist who fueled most of the sound with his fusion of vocals, guitar, bass, drums, trumpet and cello. Not long after starting the project he was joined by his wife Cathy on guitar.
Latinen said that the band’s sound derived from some of their favorite bands they listened to while growing up, such as Mineral, American Football, Death Cab For Cutie and Jimmy Eat World.
“It was the kind of music I loved,” said Keith Latinen.
Empire! Empire! has been touring since Sept. 15 and will be officially ending this season with their show in Athens. They began the tour to promote their second full-length album, You Will Eventually Be Forgotten, which was released in August.
The band’s most recent album featured the Latinens as the only band members recorded but also included guest vocalists such as Chris Simpson of Mineral.
Over the years, the Latinens have been the only consistent band members of Empire! Empire!. On tours prior to this most recent one, Empire! Empire! would have other musicians fill in to produce the band’s full sound while performing live.
“Whatever bands we were on tour with would often be the backing band,” said Keith Latinen.
As of this most recent tour, Empire! Empire! welcomed its official joining members Jon Steinhoff on drums and Joseph “Gooey” Dane on bass. Steinhoff had originally been in the band several years ago and Gooey had filled in as a backing member on previous tours with Empire! Empire! while touring with Dowsing.
For the majority of this tour, Empire! Empire! had been accompanied by fellow touring band Free Throw. The bands played their last show of the tour together at FEST 13 in Gainesville, Florida. on Nov. 2, after which Free Throw returned to their hometown of Nashville, Tennesse.
Having played countless Ohio shows in their time as a band, the Latinens are unsure if they have previously played in Athens but have heard from other bands that playing here is a “good time.”
Regardless of whether Athens will attest to that reputation, after such a long tour Cathy Latinen said that the end will be bittersweet.
Based on Tuesday night’s acts, the evening may prove to be an emotional one for those who attend the show as well. Empire! Empire! will be joined by three Ohio bands on Tuesday night, including Cincinnati post-hardcore band Great Dane, Miamisburg’s acoustic Rambo and Athens' very own sad boys, Ghost Stories.
The show is for ages 18 and over with tickets selling at $8 and $10 for anyone under 21. The Union’s doors open at 9 p.m.
