O Emperor
Encyclopedia
O Emperor are an alternative rock
band from Waterford
, Ireland
. Their debut album Hither Thither reached number 6 in the Irish Albums Chart
.
together. They continued to learn, play and write together into their college years. The band has been together in some formation for the greater part of a decade. The band began their live journey in a well-known local biker pub in Waterford
called ‘The Hog’s Head’. “We were barely 17 or so but it was a great grounding for us and it gave us a taste of the rock and roll lifestyle.” - Paul Savage.
O Emperor branched out in their locality, playing in the majority of the available local venues, all whilst working with various other musicians. They worked closely with several other bands, swapping musicians and borrowing them for various projects.
, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin
and Pink Floyd
.
“It took us about a year of playing our own stuff to come up with a set-list of songs that we were happy with.” (Paul Savage, lead singer and guitarist of O Emperor). The band decided to record their own album; they rented an old country house in Kinsale
, Co. Cork, Ireland
, and began their work writing and recording. Over a period of six months, the band created the foundations of their debut album.
The band were initially going to release their album independently, but soon realised that their hard work and dedication may go unnoticed. With their new attitude, the band sent their recordings to every listed company in the Hot Press
Year Book. Universal Records
quickly signed the act. As a result of their record contract, the band were able to record in a much more professional capacity, this allowed them to record new songs and revisit and edit old songs.
and played at Dublin’s Hard Working Class Heroes festival. In late 2009, O Emperor released their debut single ‘Po’. The media reacted positively; Hot Press deemed it the ‘Single of the Fortnight’.
Perhaps one of their biggest accomplishments at such an early stage in their band lifecycle was touring with Mumford and Sons in 2010 on their UK and Ireland Tour. They also made several television appearances on Irish television, RTE’s The View and Irish music show Other Voices. O Emperor’s first release under their major label Universal was the EP ‘Reverie’.
O Emperor then went onto tour throughout the summer of 2010 at festivals in Ireland
, such as Oxegen and Electric Picnic
; they also played at German and UK festivals. They have been announced as special guests for Spoon
at The Academy
in Dublin on November 18.
It was announced on the MCD
website that they would play that their biggest headline gig to date in Academy, Dublin
on April 15, 2011. They will also take part in a SXSW festival (March 16, 2011).
In late February 2011
the band performed on Other Voices performing three of their songs.
Alan Comerford - Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
Philip Christie - Piano,Vocals
Brendan Fennessy - Drums, Backing Vocals
Richie Walsh - Bass, Backing Vocals
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band from Waterford
Waterford
Waterford is a city in the South-East Region of Ireland. It is the oldest city in the country and fifth largest by population. Waterford City Council is the local government authority for the city and its immediate hinterland...
, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. Their debut album Hither Thither reached number 6 in the Irish Albums Chart
Irish Albums Chart
The Irish Albums Chart is the Irish music industry standard albums popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on its behalf by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured electronically...
.
Background
The band initially formed when they were in secondary school in WaterfordWaterford
Waterford is a city in the South-East Region of Ireland. It is the oldest city in the country and fifth largest by population. Waterford City Council is the local government authority for the city and its immediate hinterland...
together. They continued to learn, play and write together into their college years. The band has been together in some formation for the greater part of a decade. The band began their live journey in a well-known local biker pub in Waterford
Waterford
Waterford is a city in the South-East Region of Ireland. It is the oldest city in the country and fifth largest by population. Waterford City Council is the local government authority for the city and its immediate hinterland...
called ‘The Hog’s Head’. “We were barely 17 or so but it was a great grounding for us and it gave us a taste of the rock and roll lifestyle.” - Paul Savage.
O Emperor branched out in their locality, playing in the majority of the available local venues, all whilst working with various other musicians. They worked closely with several other bands, swapping musicians and borrowing them for various projects.
Getting Serious
O Emperor became bored and discontented as being seen as a cover band, thus deciding to embark on an original album of their own. The band’s initial set lists were composed of covers of The BeatlesThe Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
and Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
.
“It took us about a year of playing our own stuff to come up with a set-list of songs that we were happy with.” (Paul Savage, lead singer and guitarist of O Emperor). The band decided to record their own album; they rented an old country house in Kinsale
Kinsale
Kinsale is a town in County Cork, Ireland. Located some 25 km south of Cork City on the coast near the Old Head of Kinsale, it sits at the mouth of the River Bandon and has a population of 2,257 which increases substantially during the summer months when the tourist season is at its peak and...
, Co. Cork, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, and began their work writing and recording. Over a period of six months, the band created the foundations of their debut album.
The band were initially going to release their album independently, but soon realised that their hard work and dedication may go unnoticed. With their new attitude, the band sent their recordings to every listed company in the Hot Press
Hot Press
Hot Press is a fortnightly music and political magazine based in Dublin, Ireland founded in 1977. The magazine has been edited since its inception by Niall Stokes. According to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, it had a circulation of 19,215 during 2007...
Year Book. Universal Records
Universal Records
Universal Records was a record label owned by Universal Music Group, and it is now owned by Manny Patino and Michael Jackson, and operated as part of the Universal Motown Republic Group.-History:...
quickly signed the act. As a result of their record contract, the band were able to record in a much more professional capacity, this allowed them to record new songs and revisit and edit old songs.
Early Success (2009-present)
O Emperor began touring intensively to promote their upcoming album release, thus attracting a growing live audience. As a result of this the band appeared on the New Band Stage at OxegenOxegen
Oxegen is an annual music festival in Ireland held since 2004, sponsored by Heineken. As of 2007, 2008, 2009, the festival has been cited as Ireland's biggest music festival. And by 2009, the festival is cited as the greenest festival, being a 100% carbon neutral event in Ireland. It was previously...
and played at Dublin’s Hard Working Class Heroes festival. In late 2009, O Emperor released their debut single ‘Po’. The media reacted positively; Hot Press deemed it the ‘Single of the Fortnight’.
Perhaps one of their biggest accomplishments at such an early stage in their band lifecycle was touring with Mumford and Sons in 2010 on their UK and Ireland Tour. They also made several television appearances on Irish television, RTE’s The View and Irish music show Other Voices. O Emperor’s first release under their major label Universal was the EP ‘Reverie’.
O Emperor then went onto tour throughout the summer of 2010 at festivals in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, such as Oxegen and Electric Picnic
Electric Picnic
The 2005 festival took place on Saturday 3 September and Sunday 4 September. It is best remembered for Arcade Fire's performance which came before their subsequent mainstream success...
; they also played at German and UK festivals. They have been announced as special guests for Spoon
Spoon (band)
Spoon is an American rock band formed in Austin, Texas. The band is composed of Britt Daniel ; Jim Eno ; Rob Pope and Eric Harvey .-History:...
at The Academy
The Academy (music venue)
The Academy is a music venue located in Dublin, Ireland. It consists of four floors, each for differing music tastes.The Academy was the venue where The Killers performed an intimate show in August 2008, one night before a performance in Marlay Park. Others to have played the venue in 2008 include...
in Dublin on November 18.
It was announced on the MCD
MCD PRODUCTIONS
MCD Productions is an Irish concert promotion company. Established in 1980, and headquartered in Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.- History :The company was founded by Eamonn McCann and Denis Desmond, the company name MCD is made up of their initials....
website that they would play that their biggest headline gig to date in Academy, Dublin
The Academy (music venue)
The Academy is a music venue located in Dublin, Ireland. It consists of four floors, each for differing music tastes.The Academy was the venue where The Killers performed an intimate show in August 2008, one night before a performance in Marlay Park. Others to have played the venue in 2008 include...
on April 15, 2011. They will also take part in a SXSW festival (March 16, 2011).
In late February 2011
2011 in Irish music
This is a summary of the year 2011 in the Irish music industry.- Summary :*On Wednesday 12 January, the Choice Music Prize nominations for Best Irish Album of 2010 were announced....
the band performed on Other Voices performing three of their songs.
Members
Paul Savage - Lead Vocals, Rhythm GuitarAlan Comerford - Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
Philip Christie - Piano,Vocals
Brendan Fennessy - Drums, Backing Vocals
Richie Walsh - Bass, Backing Vocals
Studio Albums
| Year | Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRL Irish Albums Chart The Irish Albums Chart is the Irish music industry standard albums popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on its behalf by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured electronically... |
||||||
| 2010 | Hither Thither
|
6 | ||||
| "—" denotes a title that did not chart. | ||||||
Extended Plays
| Year | Album details | Peak chart positions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRL Irish Albums Chart The Irish Albums Chart is the Irish music industry standard albums popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on its behalf by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured electronically... |
||||||
| 2010 | Persephone
|
— | ||||
| Reverie
Universal Music Group Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations... Compact Disc The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,... , digital download Music download A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment... |
32 | |||||
| "—" denotes a title that did not chart. | ||||||