‘As Irish debuts go, it’s in a league of its own.’ The Irish Times

‘A sumptuous and wondrous debut from a band with a frighteningly bright future.’
The Sunday Business Post

There is a sense of quiet, reserved confidence about Hither Thither, O Emperorʼs debut LP (nominated for Choice Music Prize 2010). Many commentators have noted that it sounds more like the recording of a band on their third or fourth album, such is the display of maturity and self-awareness on show. This may be testament to the fact the band grew up together as childhood friends, discovering the same records, learning the same tunes and playing in the same venues with different bands in a thriving local music scene. You could say that although this record is their first, it is the result of many years of growing together musically, uncovering a collective identity and an acute awareness of the nuances that made their favourite records so special.

Hither Thither is big, bold and ambitious, spanning boundless musical territory in its journey of 43 minutes. On listening from beginning to end, it leaves the impression that this is a band who have come to collectively adore the heyday of the album format. The diversity on display is striking. From songs like Don Quixote (a dense production featuring a stunning, lush string arrangement by pianist Philip Christie), Po (an elusive tale of imaginary childhood friends set against a driving 70s style production) and Donʼt Mind Me (a gracefully melodic, sun- kissed affair, with vocal harmonies shared by all five members) to the albums quieter, more introspective moments of Sedalia (a plaintive narrative with an unexpected psychedelic shift), Heisenberg (an eerily minimalistic piano-led composition) and The Fat Lady Sings (a dramatic send-off that at times hints at a taste for the avant-garde), Hither Thither is an album of dense, sprawling beauty: a collection that is diverse while remaining focused on an overriding aesthetic. A journey from Hither to Thither indeed.

Highlights....

In the build up to their much lauded debut album and for the first part of 2010, O Emperor toured Ireland and the UK as guests to Mumford & Sons, Ocean Colour Scene, Villagers & Spoon as well as gigging across the UK and throughout Ireland in their own right.

Appearances on RTE Televisionʼs flagship arts show, The View and a slot on the legendary Other Voices music series, broadcast from Dingle, Co Kerry further widened their appeal.
More live dates throughout the summer included appearances at festivals like Oxegen (Ireland), Electric Picnic (Ireland), Benicassim (Spain) Tanned Tin (Spain) London Feis (UK), with some European and UK headline dates also.
With the release of Hither Thither in Ireland (Oct 2010), the album reached number 6 in the official charts and was met with huge critical acclaim which later earned them a nomination for The Choice Music Prize (Irish album of the year).

Other notable highlights throughout 2011 were; the bands special orchestral arrangement of their song Sedalia (performed and filmed live with the RTE Concert Orchestra), and an appearance at the prestigious SXSW showcase festival in Austin, Texas.

UK and European live dates are scheduled for May and June 2012.