We’re stoked to be the first to premiere Brooklyn band Empty Chairs‘ new LP, Caveat Emptor, which hit airwaves today. The trio, who have played shows with the likes of Night Panther, Conveyer, and Celestial Shore, are set to take the borough (and beyond) by storm. Their music has been described in a number of charismatic ways, such as a “swirling, kaleidoscopic foray into prismatic, psychedelic pop” (Unholy Rhythms),”suspended and impressionistic” (The Deli), and “splendid” (The Sound of Confusion). We’d have to agree with those appraisals and add a garnish to the cocktail of admiration by saying that this band, abstractly electronic while still featuring soaring harmonies and beats that will get you out of your seat, are one to keep your ears out for. Standout songs on the album include “Akira” and “GTMO”.
Colorado native Peter Spear started Empty Chairs as a solo project when he moved to Brooklyn in 2011. While playing live shows at venues around New York City and recording a self-titled EP, Spear picked up bandmates Whitney Broadstreet (keys/vocals) and Matthew O’Koren (drums/vocals). Now the fully formed trio is taking front and center in the Brooklyn music scene.
Among their influences are Japanese horror films to Van Gogh to the artful, ambient sounds of Animal Collective and Grizzly Bear. We also hear a range of other influences, from minimal to psychedelic, like Pink Floyd (“Transcendenz”), Black Moth Super Rainbow (“Akira”), Empress Of, Baths and so many more. Their prismatic sound features a creamy foundation of dream pop, infused with glitchy sample beats and topped with quippy lyrics like “the moon cries / crocodile tears / for you” to form an electronic breed of album that’s both danceable and perfect to space out to.
