Empire Kings

In late 2014, singer, guitarist and award-winning songwriter Colin Rivera relocated from the USA back home to London, England with a simple mission in mind: To found and front an explosive new indie rock and roll band, in one of the most legendary music scenes in the world. Aided by years spent touring the United States under various monikers, supporting artists such as HelloGoodbye, the Rocket Summer, Hoobastank & the Ataris, and playing to crowds in iconic venues such as San Diego’s Hard Rock Cafe (as part of the city’s world famous Comic-Con International festivities), the Empire Kings fuse was lit. With the move came brand new social media, branding, and a fresh supporting cast, consisting of his longtime songwriting collaboratorJosh Gishi on bass and backing vocals, Brixton-based drummer Paul Mortimore (whose credits include work with Carl Barât of the Libertines and Daryl Bamonte of Depeché Mode/The Cure).

After several months of hard work, the band emerged from their London studio with a mature and a powerful indie rock sound, combining soaring melodies and intricate hooks reminiscent of acts such as Queens of the Stone Age, Arctic Monkeys and Kings of Leon, with a gritty energy and hunger echoed by outfits like Royal Blood and Foals.

This new sound, combined with their equally deliberate aesthetic helped the newly formed Empire Kings explode onto the London music scene. In just a matter of months, the band has played countless live dates to packed crowds across some legendary venues such as London’s Barfly, Dublin Castle & Rhythm Factory. The band recently released a brand new self-titled LP shortly after playing at V festival 2015 alongside the likes of Mark Ronson, Sam Smith and Chvrches. Their track "She's Gonna Be My Girl" has also been featured by DJ Gary Crowley on BBC’s “Introducing” new music radio show.

Frank Turner proclaimed: “I still believe, in guitars and drums and desperate poetry.” The Empire Kings believe in rock and roll. Bands on both sides of the Atlantic such as Royal Blood, Foo Fighters, Arctic Monkeys and the Libertines are proving that the death of rock music has been greatly exaggerated. The Empire Kings combine soaring vocal melodies, addictive hooks, thundering drums, gutsy bass and of course dynamic guitars, into authentic songs from the heart. Their respect for the classic masters of previous musical eras meets in perfect harmony with their love of those blazing today’s musical trails. The Empire Kings’ sound represents the best of raw energy balanced carefully with precise and deliberate songwriting, that rock, blues and pop fans everywhere love as their audience continues to grow.

Music technology has given the world an unprecedented ability to produce and release music. Budding artists and songwriters all over the world are constantly producing their own work, and many rely on computers and studio magic to bear the weight of their sound. The Empire Kings refuse to fake it. The band prides itself on writing authentic songs full of powerful emotion, and while they use the studio as a canvas to showcase their music, they refuse to use it as a crutch. There is no better evidence of this than their explosive live show, which has evolved over years touring together in previous incarnations of the band. Supporting artists like Hellogoodbye, Hoobastank, The Rocket Summer, The Ataris, He Is We, Lindsey Stirling and many more, and shows across the UK (including V Festival), California, Las Vegas, Arizona etc have given the Empire Kings a work ethic and live presence worthy of any venue in the world.

The Empire Kings have spent the last year developing a sound, aesthetic and live show to be reckoned with. As their crowds keep growing, their songwriting goes from strength to strength. This year the band is working hard on securing new tour support slots and more festival performances, as well as continually recording new material and focusing on growing their web presence. The Empire Kings are looking for the right management and label, with whom they can fuse their art and music, and expand their audience to become the next household name in worldwide rock and roll.