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FEATURED ARTIST

EMPIRE STATE HUMAN


   

        The Irish collective known as Empire State Human are among the busiest people you'll ever be likely to meet. Not only have they just released their first US CD, a collection of tracks that includes their previously on line album Pop Robot plus tracks from their debut Martian Anthems, but they have already completed work on a follow up EP called 'Music For Humans' for a new Mexican label called PÜR ZYNTH LABEL, another album containing rare ESH tracks and remixes called 'Alpha and Omega' and an album of new material called, 'Urbanism'. Plus they have been working on remixes for Wave in Head (3 times, so far to date), Count To Infinity, Freezepop and there are further remix plans with Germany's No Comment and Australia's Tycho Brahe, as well as tracks on the upcoming tributes for Yazoo and Broadway Show Tunes compilation!

The band came together in 1999, as a three piece electronic combo, formed by Aidan Casserly, Lar Kiernan and Brian O'Malley, all with a love of Kraftwerk, Bowie, Ennio Morricone, Sparks, BBC Radiophonic Workshop (world famous for the Dr Who music), Elvis, Sci-Fi & early Human League. Both Aidan and Brian had previously been in an electronic band in the mid 90's, but we'd all known each other for years leading up to Empire State Human. Their first four releases were through the popular UK equivalent to mp3.com, Peoplesound. 'Martian Anthems', 'Hand on the Gun', 'Pop Robot' and 'Terra Incognito- Parts 1>5'. The two albums though, got them attention in the synthpop community. Todd Durrant at A Different Drum picked up a song, "Night Flight," to use on Shadow Dancing 2. Meanwhile Todd had forwarded a copy of 'Pop Robot' to Ninthwave Records. Ninthwave promptly signed the band to release an updated, remastered version of 'Pop Robot'. So the band selected some tracks from 'Martian Anthems' and also decided to use a remix of "Swinging Pendulums" by the German band Wave in Head, who have now developed an excellent working relationship with ESH and who intend working together for many current and future releases.

Collaborations are a big part of ESH's strategy for world domination. Singer Aidan Casserly tells us more: "We produced and wrote for an Irish pop band called OZ, which helped them sign to PEOPLESOUND.COM, and we have been asked to compose the theme to an Irish film based on crime/underworld in Dublin. Another Irish band, Skintone, have also remixed ESH, with the track called 'Stare', which was included in the ‘United Synthpop Artists' fundraising CD. Later this year we will be recording 2 or 3 tracks under another name, these tracks will be a little different from the ESH sound. It will sort of be an audio experiment, going to the 'roots' of electronica, we can confirm one of the tracks will be called 'Sydney Carton'. Keep an eye on www.empirestatehuman.com for further info on this project. We are very much into collaboration work. It has proven to be very satisfying and a great way to meet other artists, whom before, we would have only heard on CD. We have written and recorded a Christmas song called 'Christmas Angel', which was on exclusive download from our web site during December 2001."

In addition a collection of remixes and studio tracks that did not make it on to Pop Robot will be released this fall on Ninthwave. The set will have mixes from Freezepop, the late great Count 2 Infinity (ESH will be working with John G on his new project during the summer) and others. ESH see remixes as a way to broaden their sound and direction, and as a way of further developing song writing skills and sound structure, to become better at both on future ESH releases.

Right now the band is gearing up for live shows, with a great set list taken from their current and future release catalog, plus a cover or two thrown in for good measure. Like many electronic bands, the group has taken a cautious approach to playing live. They first recorded a video that they could show potential venues and now are ramping up to more live dates with an expanded live show. "When we play 'live', the majority of the music is pre-sequenced, we like lots of swirling lights and dry ice. We usually open with this mid-paced, moody, original piece of ESH music, with samples from the 'Harbinger of Death' speech from 'Planet of the Apes' over it. This blends directly into a dance/techno version of John Carpenter's 'Halloween' Main Theme. Unfortunately, ESH only get to play live sporadically. We are going to make a bigger effort to play live from now on, say every 8 weeks."

The band has also branched out into film music and even music for commercials (a recent Sony Playstation 2 ad in the EU). They are even working on a possible video for a track off the 'Alpha & Omega' or 'Urbanism' albums, with an aim for conquering MTV2 here in the US. And who knows, they may even hit the US for a short tour in 2003!

Look for Empire State Human on these recent CDs as well as the remastered Pop Robot: "Evolution" (Cohaagen, available at Cdstreet or A Different drum). Features "Post Madonna," a track not available anywhere else right now. "United Synthpop Artists Tribute to America" (PandaPop/Ninthwave, available at cdstreet.com and A Different Drum) "Stare" (Skintone mix) not available anywhere else. "Nobody's Diary" (Ninthwave, available May 2002) a cover of the Yazoo classic "Bad Connection." 

WRITTEN BY: Dr. Hex