Review - Nerve Magazine

Since their formation in 2011 Empire Affair have got around a bit in Bournemouth, playing at venues from The Anvil to the Bournemouth o2. They have also been stretching their shows further afield; frequenting London, Southampton,and even doing a string of shows in Croatia. They have supported The Hoosiers and All The Young, and are always praised for their enthusiasm and ability to get the crowd singing.They have two EPs out, Red Light, and Sparks in the Dark and they have new songs in the works, whilst also 'taking time out from a busy 80-show summer, to work on things behind the scenes.'

Review - 360Magazine

Empire Affair is fierce. Pop, rock and alternative rolled into one. Amazing production and instrumentation smothered with clean vocals. Not just your average UK ensemble. This group has major swag and appeal as well. Can't wait to see them live! Their sound is great for advertising campaigns and movie soundtracks. Once they're proven in digital sales, major labels will be knocking down their doors. Their creativity and talent have earned them a spot on our 360 Watch List.

Live review - Bandalism Bournemouth o2 Academy by Rock Regeneration

Tonight’s big ticket sellers Empire Affair take to the stage. Having blown away all the opposition this time last year with a brilliant set and equally impressive stagecraft and attire, they open with a question – “Can You Feel It” – yes we can! Neil (vox) is in his trademark exuberant mood as he covers every inch of the stage. Behind him the band are tight and loud in a set that is note perfect. “One Night In Munich” is a highlight, and fast becoming a live favourite with its big chorus. Both Jack and Matt provide some fine guitar work alongside Tom’s bass and Darren’s hitting. The overall sound is very clean tonight which allows Neil’s vocals to shine through. There’s no let up in his dancing/jumping as he is animated almost their entire set. “Dancing On The Moon” is somewhat apt but they go out with a bang with the excellent “Tornadoes”. Another number with a big singalong chorus that doesn’t disappoint. When Empire Affair are this good there’s no-one better. The sky’s the limit!
Rock-Regeneration.co.uk
To read the review of the full night, click here.

Sparks in the Dark review - UKIndieMusic

“Empire Affair was formed in early 2011 in Bournemouth and consists of Neil Tallant (vocals), Jack Woolston (guitar), Matt Park (guitar), Tom Parrett (bass) and Darren Sheppard (drums). Recent highlights include numerous sell-out headline shows at London’s Dublin Castle, opening for chart topping band The Hoosiers, and playing to a packed Bournemouth o2 Academy.” A little introduction taken from their website! - not that they need one after listening to their EP.

After watching numerous videos of them preforming at gigs on youtube, I have come to one definite conclusion, they have a crowd-pleasing presence on stage that I am sure will fill venues in the future and that all of us, here at ukindiemusic, would love to see very soon!

The first song on their EP (sparks in the dark) was “Can’t get through”, it was filled with powerful guitar riffs that seemed fluid and unedited. This was the only unrelated song on the EP, the other three formed a trilogy depicting a story of an english man in Munich. The chorus of this particular song caused me, in particular, to tap my foot with the catchiness that it provided throughout. As we progress through the EP, in my opinion, the songs just seemed to improve more and more.

“Tornadoes” had more of a pop-rock feel to it that seemed familiar, it was never-the-less though a fantastic song. During the live performances online you can hear the audience sing along after online a couple of lines. Neil has a magical presence on the stage that the crowd can’t help but to love. This song was filled with a simple but amazing guitar rift. The lyrics are catchy and are a great listen!

“One night in Munich” continues the story told in tornadoes, this song was my favourite song on the EP by far. Throughout I just couldn’t help but do a little dance, which got quite awkward when in public! The other team members loved this song too and downloaded it straight away off of iTunes. The rhythm and beat created in this song by Tom and Darren was brilliant, fast and catchy without drowning out the true talent to the guitars (played by Matt and Jack). This is an absolute crowd pleaser that deserves to be heard by all.

The final song on the EP was “sunrise”, it concludes the story told by the last two songs. This song was the slowest of the bunch, taking a while to build up to lyrics. The song explores each layer of sound individually, then combining them together to provide another ground-breaking song. This song in particular, really demonstrates the true talent that the boys possess as a group.

This brilliant EP is available to downloaded on itunes or purchase a hard copy off of their website. The group also has some brilliant t-shirts available that look flawless. To purchase the CD (which i highly advise) visit http://empireaffair.bigcartel.com/product/cd-sparks-in-the-dark
A great job by these guys, we can’t wait for their new songs to be released. they have some true jaw-dropping potential.
Thanks for reading, 
K

http://ukindiemusic.tumblr.com/

Sparks in the Dark review - Listed Magazine

Bournemouth’s very own Empire Affair delivers uplifting indie from their most recent EP release “Sparks in the Dark”. 

The five piece have already proved their worth by supporting the likes of The Hoosiers. With prestigious venues such as the 02 Academy already under their belt, they are swiftly beginning to push their music further afield from the local area; this is impressive, but even more so by the fact that Empire Affair only formed twelve months ago.

There’s something about Neil’s lead vocals that reminds me of The Smiths very own Morrissey. 
Guitar work that initiates explosions in the sky and a mixture of menacing and chilled out melodies all emphasised and illustrated on this 4 track EP. This 4-track EP brings together the band's unique level of spirited energy with gifted melodies and banging rhythms.

They have certainly left the best track till last, with 'Sunrise' being a personal favourite. 
The band have cleverly left it simple and chilled out, as it really captivates the listener and perfectly brings the ultimate come down to a very much highly energized EP. 

http://www.listedmagazine.com/Bournemouth/News/News+-+Music/Empire+Affair%3A+Sparks+in+the+Dark+EP/28656.html

Sparks in the Dark review - Bournemouth Echo

BOURNEMOUTH indie rockers Empire Affair are building up an impressive CV.

Having played numerous shows across the southcoast and London and supported the likes of The Hoosiers, the quintet has picked up quite a following and it’s not hard to see why.

Atmospheric opener Can’t Get Through builds in tension before an uptempo beat drops in but it is only when the band fully gives into their pop persuasions they really come into their own.

Tornadoes is seriously catchy and cohesive. The song demands your attention and it is impossible not to give it.


One Night in Munich is a thumping, anthemic number that you could easily imagine pumping your fist along to at a festival.

While melodic closing song Sunrise showcases frontman Neil Tallant’s soaring vocals at their very best.

http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/leisure/music/local_bands/10056648.Empire_Affair___Sparks_in_the_Dark_____/

Sparks in the Dark review - MadasHell Promotions

Having only formed in 2011 you would be forgiven for being completely surprised as the Bournemouth based band Empire Affair defied any negative pre-conceived notions of thoughts you may erstwhile have carried.

Comprising of Neil Tallant on vocals, Matt Park and Jack Woolston on guitars, Tom Parrett on bass and Darren Sheppard on drums Empire Affairs’ first release Red Light in July of the same year they formed stamped their intent on being a band to take notice of, and with their latest release Sparks In The Dark they’re making it even harder for you to ignore them.


Sunrise

With a surprisingly mature introspective sound the intro on Sunrise feels like it came from a band with a lot more years on under their belt than Empire Affair, the sound so confident in creating a space between the notes to appreciate what you are hearing not usually found until a bands third or fourth album.

The melody devilishly defies your expectations of where the song is taking you, a few chords here and a note there over an unassuming bass riff creating a build then slow release of tension that segue’s into the song proper in a way that feels like a tiger observing its prey until it feels the time is right to strike.

When the vocals kick-in they have a disarming honesty to them, each line sung with a passion of emotion .Like a modern-day Dylan vocalist Neil Talent’s voice has a power in its honesty; with a voice similar to James Dean Bradfield, Neil takes one step further in his delivery with a much more capable grasp of his instrument. They are fluid, emotive, never straining to hit a note they can’t hit or needlessly over singing the ones they can.

The whole song has a very commanding sense of itself throughout, the band putting into digital form a map of how to display your group’s control of the power it wields.


Tornadoes

Opening with a riff that could easily have been lifted straight out of Keith Richards back pocket Tornadoes is destined to become an iconic song of the times, capturing the mood and feel of the crowd it’s being presented before like none so far seem to have managed.

With an intro that straight away gets you in the mood for the bright lights and heaving rooms of a sweaty nightclub dance floor Empire Affairs bring their A Game to the chart singles table, slams it down before the panel of those whose opinion is meant to matter, and walks away to let them argue amongst themselves over whether there is a number higher than ‘1’ on the list.

The vocals are as soulful as they are expressive, every line in the song as likely to be the ‘line the crowd sings’ as every other line, the pitch and delivery spot-on in the ensuing drama created by Tornadoes.

The verse allows you room to breathe as the vocals take you through the experience, delivered with a magnificent powerful fragility that build to a gloriously hedonistic chorus of call/respond joining in moment guaranteed to turn any gathering of people into an experience.

And by the time the song fades out at and the world has slowed down and you have finally managed to catch your breath, the intro riff from all the way back at the start will still be ringing in your ears.

Which will explain the smile on your face.


One Night In Munich

With the drums breaking the silence you are caught on the magnetic hook of a guitar riff intro before an explosion of noise shatters your imagination and exposes you to an aural Pandora’s Box of promising indulgences to come; of an evening out in one of the darker sides of town, with people and sights and secrets you will uncover and discover and get caught up in, before waking up in the morning still exhausted from the previous evenings adventures.

The verse brings everything back in as the vocals start to show you the promises, a clear picture of that fabled night in question leaving you a voyeur in Neil’s story as it envelopes you without realising.

The drums are very much the heartbeat of this song, their urgency and pacing an exceptional way of projecting the listener into the very centre of the songs theme with an immediate understanding of how we are meant to feel.

The drums on the chorus turn this song into an anthem, their driving beat enforcing the cries of the vocals as the guitar riff lays a guiding hand through the emotions you are feeling, at every turn maintaining an understated energy that carries through to the glorious cymbal crashing end.


Can’t Get Through

Can’t Get Through presents you with an opening bass riff that like the White Rabbit of Alice In Wonderland conveys a feeling of urgency that demands you follow without question or stopping to think.

Moderated by a calming guitar note to guide you as you tumble along, the vocals start describing a world of insular misunderstanding and desire to reach out and feel a part of the world they find themselves in.

Breaking out of the intro, the vocals continue to expose you to the world of dark wonder around them, emoting with a heartfelt melody that express a genuine honesty behind the lyrics borne from an experience we can all relate to.

As a whole there is grandness to Can’t Get Through that reminds me of U2 in the middle of their stadium filling heights. With its unafraid stance of taking the listener past the usual noise and expected ear-filler of a four minute song Empire Affair have managed to create an epic-short that could bring a crowd of thirty thousand strangers together in a united display of lighters held aloft, each line of the song filling the air in a devoted stance of loyalty, of being ‘as one’ with the band, of being part of something bigger than the sum of its parts.

And for me, that sums up SPARKS IN THE DARK; on their own, the songs are a powerful mix of barely controlled chaos and an unspoken force that describes with clarity far beyond their contemporaries the images and stories they convey. Together, they present an unbelievable beginning in a group’s career.

http://madashellpromotions.wordpress.com/2012/08/20/sparks-in-the-dark-ep-empire-affairs/

Sparks in the Dark review - BritRockArmy

Now, this is gonna blow your socks off!!

These guys are GOOD!! This is Empire Affair's 2nd EP. Their first, 'Red Light' was released in July 2011, and received to very positive reviews. None to surprising when you have a listen. This young band, have a talent that way exceeds their years. Vocalist, Neil Tallant (very apt surname, lol), look like Alex Kapranos (frontman of Franz Ferdinand) and has a voice of great maturity, and enough energy and enthusiasm to power a street for a month. The twin guitars of Matt Park, and Jack Woolston are used to great effect, with Tom Parrett on bass and Darren Sheppard on drums playing with equal aplomb. The 4 tracks on this new release are all absolute stormers, from the opening Can't Get Through, to the anthemic chorus of the penultimate One Night In Munich. Tornadoes and Sunrise, are also single worthy.

If you onnly listen to one piece of my musical advice, listen to, download, do whatever you have to to treat your ears  to the potential stadium filling sound of Empire Affair.

http://britrockarmy.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/ep-review-empire-affair-sparks-in-dark.html