In
Conversation with Nicola From Empress:
Feb
2004
A
little background:
Back in the days when I used to run “Rising Sun” (my first website 1998 –
2001), there was quite a few bands with whom I tried to get interviews and
of which I never had any luck for a variety of reasons.
Take “Empress” for example, I first heard of him through their debut self
titled single on 555 recordings around the 1996 territory, and in due course
picked up another single picked up another single and their debut album also
released on 555 records, I seem to recall. Interested, I e-mailed Stewart the
head off 555 recordings, with whom I had had some dealings with and
discovered he was their drummer also. However, by the time I got the
interview arranged, Stewart had left the band and then I read in the press
the band had split, and I thought that was it.
Fast-forward some three / four years, and I discovered through Gayle Brogan
at the ever-wonderful Melody Bar that they had had a new single “Tea for
Two” and an album “The Sounds we made” as a two piece instead of a
three piece stripping to the sound to just Nicola and Chris – their already fragile
Mazzy Starr / Low tingled sadness now even more sparse than what was
already a sparse and quiet band.
The interview actually cam because of the single, which contained Nicola’s
e-mail address. I don’t know any website for them in
particular, try for example :
misplaced music
OR
pehr records
OR
even 555 records
A few notes lastly, Chris is involved in a Welsh based duo called Halkyn
(although that may prove to be a solo project now), who have 2 singles out
on 555 which I think are still available and not unlike Empress. Nicola has
also appeared on a variety of records by people such as Hood, The Remote
Viewer, Boyracer (I think!), Hem and tons more even I probably am not
aware off.
Thanks again to her for the interview
Andy N – Feb 04 x
Setting Sun:
How are things and what’s happening at the
moment?
Nicola from Empress: I'd like to believe that
everything's going to be OK, but something tells me it isn't.
But it's snowing at last.
Setting Sun:
Now although I have been aware of Empress for
more years than I can to imagine - I reckon around the
time of the first single, which must have been around
1996 or 1997 certainly, but as I always say there are
people who haven’t heard off you, so can you maybe
introduce yourself maybe and tell us a little about
the history of Empress i.e. who fired the starting
pistol etc, etc?
Nicola: Empress started around 1996, but it formed out of a
band called 'Hem' (1994-1996) Empress has never been
more than a 3-piece, currently a 2-piece. I believe
that makes us a duo. We've played about
15 shows and recorded 3 lp's.
Setting Sun:
Considering I know Empress is now generally a two-piece,
how has this affected the creation of your new album “The
sounds they made” and single “Tea for Two”. I’ve got
your previous albums and found it if possible compared to
your previous albums, even more stripped down - was that
on purpose?
Nicola: 'The sounds they made' was done over a period of two
years, although mostly through 2002. It wasn't a
conscious decision to strip things down further, and I
don't think we have all that much. I suppose there
being just the two of us, we are restricted, but we
quite like trying to make the most of what we've got,
without overdoing it. Obviously the temptation is to
compensate by adding long guitar solos and the like,
but we have to resist. Being a compact unit also makes
other things easier - fewer mouths to feed, more space
in hire cars...those kinds of physical advantages.
Setting Sun:
Probably my favourite song of the new album is
“The Worry and the Wine”, which I think is such a cool
title. What’s the story behind that song etc?
Nicola: We usually write titles separate from the songs.
Some say there exists a small 'song-titling' industry
in these northern parts, but we make our own up. The
song is like the rest, just phrases and snippets
collected over time.
Setting Sun:
Is it true now, you are now not very keen on
playing live? I saw you supporting Low in Leeds
(98/99?) and aside from the fact, I struggled to
hear you above the crowd noise in places, I found it a
great little gig and from which I have a lot of
great memories about…
Nicola: It is true that we are not overly keen on playing
live. I'm glad you enjoyed the Leeds Low show.
Ironically now we have no drummer we are probably
louder live because we can turn up the mini-disc
player.
Setting Sun:
One thing that has always interested about
Empress, aside from the fact I love your music is the origin
of your name. What is the inspiration behind that etc?
Nicola: We'd like to think that it was inspired by the classy
empress nite club in Bradford, which is surely not
long for this world, or even empress garages of
Accrington, Lancashire. Sadly this is neither.
Setting Sun:
What music have you been listening to recently
and what are Empress’s general influences?
Nicola: The outkast lp which I was bought as a Xmas
present. A release on moteer records by an outfit called
'many fingers', and an old mbv compilation tape. I am only
speaking for myself here, and not Chris, but my general
influences are: travelling by train, food, home, the
walks around here, the big bad city streets, weather,
friends and family and their associated love, laughter
and loss.
Setting Sun:
One question from your back-catalogue, which I
can’t resist asking is regarding the 555 remix album
Chihuahua’s and Chinese Noodles” in relation to
Your two remixes contained on there, both of which are
great Empress tracks, even though they are radically
different from the original. What’s the story behind
them from your perspective? Is remixing something
could you ever see Empress been involved with? If
so, how could you see it been different from your
albums / singles?
Nicola: That remix cd came out at a time when I was the
Least interested in doing music. I have no memory of
what is on there, and don't own a copy. We are not
greatly interested in remixing, it's bad enough mixing.
Setting Sun:
What’s next for Empress? Do you have any more
releases either together / separate? Is Chris still
involved with Halkyn for example or does Nicola plan
around any side projects with The Remote Viewer (I
caught her cameo on their last album - very nice)
etc, etc?
Nicola: We've just recorded a track for a 'misplaced music'
compilation cd, which should be out later this year
(spring probably) Halkyn flickers into action now and
again, and should do more. I always like to join in
with the remote viewer, and have recently done some
singing for their next release on city centre offices.
They are always a pleasure to work with. True
professionals.
Setting Sun:
What has been your best / worst experiences of
been in a band? Been in a band myself I’ve had some
fun to tell certainly so I could guess you are the
same…
Nicola: Best - meeting people, travelling around, drinking
Worst- " " "
Setting Sun:
Nearly there now, a couple of slightly lighter
hearted questions to finish off with, firstly what
would be your dream job if you were not a rock and
roll musician?
Nicola: If I were not a rock and roll musician (and don't
You doubt it)I would like to live an ordinary working
life. Oh for a bit of normality and peace around here.
Setting Sun:
Lastly, something light to finish off with…
(Nicked from a pal’s Zine almost) “Imagine you were
ship wrecked on a desert Island and could have
(clearly have second sight here - lol) the choice of
having 5 records or Cds with you with a stereo of
course - what would be your desert Island Discs?
Nicola:
Hood, Famous Boyfriend, Disco Inferno, Eggs and a hip
hop compilation that my brother made me (you've gotta
keep yer dancing shoes on surely)
PS... if I'd got stranded on a desert island I would,
of course, be spending my time talking to Wilson the
volleyball head (did you see Castaway at Xmas?) rather
than listening to any/all of the above.
