Emanuel and the Fear

Last updated

Emanuel and the Fear
Origin Brooklyn, New York
Genres Symphonic rock, indie rock
Years active2008–present
LabelsPaper Garden, Haldern Pop, Eat Fear
Members Emanuel Ayvas
Jeff Gretz
Gil Goldin
Nic Cowles
Liz Hanley
Sarah Haines
Ben Backus
Website emanuelandthefear.com

Emanuel and the Fear is an American symphonic rock band founded in Brooklyn in 2008 by frontman Emanuel Ayvas. [1]

Contents

History

In 2009, the band released their first self-titled EP on Paper Garden Records. [2] The 5-track EP was executive produced by Jamin Gilbert (for Ishlab Music) and featured the band's first hit 'Jimme's Song.' The band toured extensively to promote the record, playing large shows and festivals, including CMJ [3] and the Northside Festival in New York, and Pop Montreal in Canada.

In 2010, they released their first full-length record, Listen , consisting of nineteen tracks, which includes some short tracks of random sounds and background noises. [4] The record was produced and edited by Jamin Gilbert (for Ishlab Music) [5] and Emanuel Ayvas. Patrick Dillett, who previously worked with David Byrne, They Might Be Giants and Mary J. Blige, mixed the record. [6] The band's first full-length release received immediate acclaim, including favorable write-ups on Flavorpill, NME, Fearless Music, RCRD LBL, and Deli Magazine. The band was also included in The L Magazine's list of '8 NYC Bands You Need to Hear' [7] To celebrate the release of their first record, the band played a sold-out show at Gramercy Theatre in New York City, accompanied by a 30-piece orchestra led by frontman Emanuel Ayvas. [8] Following the success of the album release, the band toured throughout the US and Europe, including several sold-out shows in their hometown of New York.

After continued touring to support their first release, the band released Hands , in Summer 2011. [9] The 5-track EP was released by Eat Fear Records (US) and Haldern Pop (Europe). The EP featured stand-out track 'Over and Over,' described as "a flurry of strings and syncopation [that] flourish into a melting pot of harmonica, guitar, and horns while Ayvas' cool voice rattles off prophetic word." [10] The 405 issued a positive review of the band's second EP, declaring Hands is an EP which demonstrates musicianship at its best...a wonderful mixture of influences, added to its melodies and textures all add together to create a true good feeling within your heart. Fans of Ben Folds and Nils Lofgren especially should like and admire this record but it has the accessibility for just about anyone to jump in and enjoy – excuse the pun - over and over again." [11] In September 2011, the band played the End of the Road Festival in England, sharing a stage with prominent acts such as Joanna Newsom, Lykke Li and Beirut. [12]

In Summer 2012, Emanuel and the Fear played the Haldern Pop Festival, sharing a stage with such notable acts as Wilco, The War on Drugs, The Maccabees and fellow Brooklyn-natives Here We Go Magic. [13] Fall 2012 saw the release of the band's second full-length record, The Janus Mirror , on Eat Fear Records (US) and Haldern Pop (Europe). [14] Prior to the release, the band previewed new tracks on Break Thru Radio. [15] The band has stated the record is about 'change' and "...deals with the over-filled human experience in today's silicone world... [it's] our eyes, it is the point between the world outside and the world in our minds." [16] After a sell-out record release party at Mercury Lounge in New York City, [17] the band headed overseas for another tour, including several stops in Germany. [18]

In June 2013, Emanuel and the Fear performed a session on Daytrotter where they played a collection of tracks from their previous releases. [19] In late Summer 2013, the band began work on their as-yet-to-be-titled fifth release. The record is due out in 2014. [20] In December 2013, lead singer Emanuel Ayvas embarked on his first solo-tour throughout Europe and the UK. [21]

Reception

Earmilk described their sound as "an extraordinary orchestra-rock band that focuses on intertwining the modern day pop song with extravagant and complex composition. Drawing from romantic and modern composers like Beethoven, Rachmaninoff, and Glass; and then fusing in a modern rock sound like Arcade Fire, Bright Eyes, Daft Punk and Sufjan Stevens; Emanuel and the Fear displays a true understanding of sound all-the-while capturing audiences with their climactic electro/orchestral arrangements and quivering, poetic lyrics." [22] The band has said they are influenced by the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Igor Stravinsky. Village Voice has compared them to Arcade Fire and The Polyphonic Spree. [23] They have also been compared to ELO. [24]

Band members

Formerly an elaborate 11-piece rock outfit, the band currently consists of six members. [25]

Current
Former

Discography

YearRecordLabel
2009 Emanuel and the Fear EPPaper Garden Records
2009The Perfect Me (single) covering Deerhoof
2010 Listen Paper Garden Records
2011 Hands (EP)Eat Fear Records (US), Haldern Pop (Europe/UK)
2012 The Janus Mirror Eat Fear Records (US), Haldern Pop (Europe/UK), Moorworks (Japan)
2016Primitive SmileListen Records

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keane (band)</span> English alternative rock band

Keane are an English alternative rock band from Battle, East Sussex, formed in 1995. The band comprises Tom Chaplin, Tim Rice-Oxley, Richard Hughes and Jesse Quin. Their original line-up included founder and guitarist Dominic Scott, who left in 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minus the Bear</span> American indie rock band

Minus the Bear was an American indie rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 2001, and comprising members of Botch, Kill Sadie, and Sharks Keep Moving. Their sound was described as "Pele-esque guitar-taps and electronics with sophisticated time signature composition."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Walkmen</span> American indie rock band

The Walkmen is an American rock band formed in New York City in 2000. The band consists of Hamilton Leithauser (vocals), Paul Maroon, Walter Martin, Peter Matthew Bauer and Matt Barrick (drums) - all former members of Jonathan Fire*Eater and the Recoys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grizzly Bear (band)</span> American rock band

Grizzly Bear was an American rock band from Brooklyn, New York, formed in 2002. For most of its tenure, the band has consisted of Edward Droste, Daniel Rossen, Chris Taylor, and Christopher Bear. The band employed both traditional and electronic instruments, and their sound has been categorized as chamber pop, psychedelic folk, and art rock. The band was known for their use of vocal harmony, with all four members contributing vocals and lead vocals alternating between Rossen and Droste.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White Rabbits (band)</span> American indie rock band

White Rabbits is an American six-piece indie rock band based in Brooklyn, New York, originally from Columbia, Missouri. The band released its debut studio album, Fort Nightly, on May 22, 2007. Their second album, It's Frightening, was released on May 19, 2009. They released their third album, Milk Famous, on March 6, 2012. The band is signed to TBD Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frontier Ruckus</span>

Frontier Ruckus is an American band from Michigan. The project is centered on the lyrically intensive songs of Matthew Milia, and was formed by Milia and banjo player David Winston Jones while growing up in Metro Detroit. In 2008, the band released its debut full-length record, The Orion Songbook. Though formed in a folk tradition, Frontier Ruckus has shown an eclecticism across their catalog, incorporating aspects of baroque and jangle pop, alt-country, bluegrass, and lo-fi.

Kingsbury are an Orlando-based psychedelic indie rock band, signed to Post Records. Their music has melodic, discordant and ambient elements.

My Jerusalem is an American Indie Rock band based in Austin, Texas. The band consists of Jeff Klein (vocals) and Ross Dubois. The band rose to critical acclaim after releasing their debut album Gone For Good.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Here We Go Magic</span> American indie rock band

Here We Go Magic was an American indie rock band based in Brooklyn, New York. It was formed by core members Luke Temple, Michael Bloch and Peter Hale, in late 2008. The band signed to Western Vinyl in 2008, followed by the five-piece group's signing to Secretly Canadian in 2009.

Small Black is an American indie band from Brooklyn, New York. They are currently signed to the 100% Electronica record label. The band consists of Josh Kolenik, Ryan Heyner (guitar/keyboards), Juan Pieczanski (bass/guitar), and Jeff Curtin (drums).

Crosses is an American musical side project of Deftones singer Chino Moreno and Far guitarist Shaun Lopez, based in Los Angeles, California, and formed in 2011.

We Barbarians were an American three-piece indie rock band based in Brooklyn, originally from Long Beach, California. The band consisted of David Quon, Derek VanHeule, and Nathan Warkentin. Their debut studio album, There's This There's That, was released on December 15, 2009. The band's latest EP, Headspace, was released August 30, 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allah-Las</span> American rock band

Allah-Las are an American rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 2008. The band consists of Miles Michaud, Matthew Correia, Spencer Dunham, and Pedrum Siadatian.

Porcelain Raft is Mauro Remiddi's main music project. The New York-based musician began his long, prolific career in Italy, the place of his birth, playing for small, local projects. After composing the original soundtrack for the 1997 Italian short-film La Matta dei Fiori, and collaborating and touring the world with various bands, Remiddi launched his first solo recording project under the moniker Porcelain Raft, and in 2010 released his first solo EP Gone Blind with Acéphale Records. In 2011 he signed with Secretly Canadian and released the debut Porcelain Raft full-length record Strange Weekend which peaked at #33 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers Albums chart. Permanent Signal, Porcelain Raft's second album was released on Secretly Canadian in August 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Lighthouse and the Whaler</span> American indie rock band

The Lighthouse and the Whaler is an American band from Cleveland, Ohio. Originally a folk rock trio, they eventually became a rock quartet. The group's second album, This is an Adventure, was produced by Ryan Hadlock and independently released in 2012 and received critical praise for its genre-bending melodic folk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quilt (band)</span>

Quilt is a four-piece psychedelic indie rock band from Boston consisting of Anna Fox Rochinski (vocals/guitars), Shane Butler (vocals/guitars), Keven Lareau (vocals/bass) and John Andrews (vocals/drums). They have released three albums, an EP, and a handful of singles through Mexican Summer. The band tours internationally. They write collaboratively and share vocal duties. They were born out of a local improv scene, and combine elements of folk-rock, psychedelia and dream pop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emanuel Ayvas</span> American musician

Emanuel Ayvas is an American musician best known as the lead vocalist and guitarist of symphonic rock band Emanuel and the Fear. Emanuel currently resides in Brooklyn, New York.

<i>The Janus Mirror</i> 2012 studio album by Emanuel and the Fear

The Janus Mirror is the second full-length album from Brooklyn-based symphonic rock band Emanuel and the Fear and was released via Haldern Pop in September 2012.

<i>Hands</i> (EP) 2011 EP by Emanuel and the Fear

Hands is the second EP from Brooklyn-based symphonic rock band Emanuel and the Fear and was released via EAT Fear Records in June 2011 following the band's first full-length release, Listen.

<i>Emanuel and the Fear</i> (EP) 2009 self-titled EP

Emanuel and the Fear is the first EP from Brooklyn-based symphonic rock band Emanuel and the Fear and was released via Paper Garden Records in February 2009.

References

  1. ↑ Lester, Paul. "New Band of the Day" The Guardian , March 19, 2010.
  2. ↑ "Emanuel and the Fear - Emanuel and the Fear" Absolute Punk , July 21, 2009.
  3. ↑ "Alcoholic Faith Mission, Emanuel & The Fear, Motel Motel & others played Paper Garden's day party" Brooklyn Vegan , October 21, 2010.
  4. ↑ "Interview with Emanuel Ayvas of Emanuel and the Fear" [usurped] Adequacy.net [usurped] , August 24, 2010.
  5. ↑ "MTV Artist Bio" MTV
  6. ↑ "Emanuel and the Fear Artist Bio" Archived March 6, 2014, at the Wayback Machine Paper Garden Records
  7. ↑ "8 NYC Bands You Need to Hear" Archived April 18, 2014, at the Wayback Machine The L Magazine , April 29, 2009.
  8. ↑ Garcia, Alfa. "Wood-Ridge Native Emanuel Ayvas goes Big with Unique Sound" NorthJersey.com , March 6, 2010.
  9. ↑ Gutierrez, Mike. "Emanuel and the Fear - Hands EP" Archived March 6, 2014, at the Wayback Machine Drowned in Sound , January 30, 2012.
  10. ↑ Blum, Jordan. "Emanuel and the Fear - Hands (EP)" [usurped] Adequacy.net [usurped] , June 3, 2011.
  11. ↑ Bevan, Gavin. "Emanuel and the Fear - Hands (EP)" Archived March 6, 2014, at the Wayback Machine The 405 Archived March 7, 2014, at the Wayback Machine , February 1, 2012.
  12. ↑ "Joanna Newsom, Best Coast, Lykke Li for End Of The Road Festival" NME , March 18, 2011.
  13. ↑ "Haldern Pop 2012 Festival Line Up" Last.fm
  14. ↑ "Emanuel And The Fear Announce New Album 'The Janus Mirror' Out Sept 21st 2012" ContactMusic.com
  15. ↑ "Emanuel And The Fear on BTR Live Studio" Break Thru Radio , March 30, 2012.
  16. ↑ "Emanuel and the Fear – The Janus Mirror" [usurped] Adequacy.net [usurped]
  17. ↑ "Emanuel and the Fear Return With New Album, Video and Live Dates" Archived March 6, 2014, at the Wayback Machine Music Snobbery , September 24, 2012.
  18. ↑ Ackermann, Lena. "Emanuel and the Fear Talk about their New Album 'The Janus Mirror'" Rolling Stone , August 28, 2012.
  19. ↑ "Emanuel and the Fear - Jun 17, 2013 - Studio Paradiso, San Francisco, CA" Daytrotter , June 17, 2013.
  20. ↑ "Emanuel and the Fear Return to Mercury; Plans New Release" Archived March 15, 2014, at the Wayback Machine The Deli Magazine , February 3, 2014.
  21. ↑ "Emanuel and the Fear - Special Solo Performance - Die Bäckerei" ntry.at , December 19, 2013.
  22. ↑ "Emanuel and the Fear - The Rain Becomes the Clouds - Tour Dates" Earmilk , September 17, 2009.
  23. ↑ Wood, Mikael. "Emanuel and the Fear" Archived March 2, 2014, at the Wayback Machine Village Voice , September 9, 2009.
  24. ↑ Maida, Stephanie. "Emanuel and the Fear" Obscure Sound , May 31, 2011.
  25. ↑ Quinlan, Adriane. "Think Big. Think Brooklyn" Paper Magazine , July 22, 2010.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.