Free Empire

Free Empire' were created when an opportunist meeting occurred between Ryan Hobbs & Adam Larner at an open mic night at The Tarn pub in Yeadon. Adam performed a number of songs, singing and playing guitar, while Ryan was vocalist performing with another guitarist. After brief introductions between the two, it was arranged to meet up to 'jam' at another open mic night later that week, ...where Adam introduced Trevor Phillips. Ryan, Trev and Adam jammed a few tracks that night and the response was great, so we set about recruiting a lead guitarist. Ryan Hobbs contacted Mark Towers who he had known from previous open mic nights and the core of the band was formed. It was decided that a second guitarist was required to enhance the rhythm section, so Mark Towers introduced Rob Clayton and the band was formed. Initial rehearsal sessions confirmed the potential and after weeks of being unnamed, Free Empire was born!!! So from January 2013, Free Empire hit the ground running, gigging mostly around Leeds and Yorkshire and then expanding there venues to Birmingham where lead singer Ryan is from and now lives. They performed at around 40 gigs in 2013 and 2014 is looking to be even bigger and better with over 30 gigs already in the diary. They went into the studio to record initially two tracks, then further 3 in the second part of the year. The 5 track EP is available to buy at gigs and will shortly be available online, tracks are Alright now, Jumping jack Flash, Local Boy in the Photograph, All these things I've done and Times like these. Alright now was also released on I tunes and is still available for download!! Mark Towers left the band in September 2014 to spend more time with family. After various great guitarists filling in we were joined by Jacob Briggs, who is an extremely talent musician and an asset to the band going forward Established, high quality 5 piece Indie/Rock band, gigging all around Leeds and Birmingham.