“Red Empire have used their different musical influences and backgrounds to make a sound that is instantly recognisable when heard.” - Cheers Magazine

Following the release in March of their well-received debut EP, ‘Strange Philosophy’ Red Empire are currently hard at work on their debut album as their star continues to rise. The EP, which was chosen as FM104’s Strawberry Pick of the Week upon its release, has gone down very well with fans and critics alike. Goldenplec.com noted that “Despite this being their first release the standard of song is incredibly high” and The Irish Independent called it a “Red-hot debut”. The album, which is set for an October 2012 release date, is sure to further capture the band’s trademark well-crafted melodic sound and the fast rate at which their song writing is developing. Recently, the lads recorded an intimate filmed live session which they intend to use as a way of previewing for their fans some songs that will eventually be recorded for the album, together with some acoustic versions of songs from the ‘Strange Philosophy’ EP. The first of this live video series entitled “In a Room with Red Empire” will be made available in early July 2012.

Recently Red Empire’s song, ‘Denial’ has been chosen to be included in director, Graham Cantwell’s new film, ‘The Callback Queen’. It would appear that Red Empire’s musical stock is rising fast.

Throughout the year the band, who hail from all over Dublin, have continued to play their increasingly well-known high-intensity live gigs all over Ireland and have gone down a treat at festivals such as The Westport Festival of Music and Arts, Fortstock and The Coors Light Weekender in Cork. Indieweek.com described seeing the lads play live as a “kick-ass, very energetic live show.” With an ever-growing fan base and a bourgeoning roster of gigs throughout Ireland Red Empire look set for bigger and better things in 2012. Having already played in venues like the Olympia and Vicar St. the band are booked in to play headline slots in the INEC in Kerry and Halo in Galway amongst many others right throughout the country this year. And with the lads touted by Musicscene.ie as “serious contenders for some well deserved attention” and “destined for a bigger and brighter future” many commentators have noted that the Red Empire journey is only beginning.

The band is made up of five young but experienced musicians who met through a mutual friend (Joe Jewell). Drawn from Finglas, the Liberties, Tallaght and Swords the lads formed Red Empire through a happy coincidence. As luck would have it Richie, Dessie and Deco and other early members were working with Joe on some very promising early tracks when they encountered a few personnel problems. At the same time Craig and Gar, who had been writing and performing together since the age of 15, were looking for new musicians with whom to collaborate. As the five members of Red Empire already knew each other socially and would regularly share a few pints it seemed like a very obvious move to decide to collaborate and join together. Since then Red Empire have not looked back and have continued to grow into a really exciting musical proposition.

Red Empire’s music is available for preview on their various pages: www.facebook.com/redempiremusic, www.redempireband.com, www.soundcloud.com/red-empire and it’s available for download from www.itunes.apple.com/ie/album/strange-philosophy-ep/id500794143

“Infectious pop choruses that wouldn’t sound out of place on commercial radio...stuck in your head after the first listen.” – Goldenplec.com