Audio Empire

Audio Empire
Figurehead
Mercury Crowe
Rata & Sons

Audio Empire are embarking on their North Island tour, kicking off in Jan 24 until March.

2008 could not be going better for Auckland-based Audio Empire. The group is riding high after recently opening Southern Amps main stage, and receiving praise for their new single "Lights", which is currently featured on national radio and TV.

Previous singles "The Great Escape" and "Goodbye Las Vegas" introduced the band to the masses, to a hugely positive response. Their debut album is a highly-charged, diverse and slick-sounding offering that has been well received and only scratches the surface of their breath-taking live show.

Produced by Paul Matthews (Blindspott, Five Star Fallout, Stylus, Tadpole), the albums nine tracks cover a spectrum of emotions and styles. From the furious pace of "The Great Escape" to the ballad of "Lost In You" and album-closer "Flying", the band constantly shifts gears whilst maintaining their unique sound. "Theyve got a great sound, I really wanted to work with them on this because I think theyve got huge potential, both here and overseas," says Paul.

Combining elements of Foo Fighters, Smashing Pumpkins, Breaking Benjamin, Incubus, Pearl Jam and various others, the sound is atypical of the standard New Zealand rock format. The end result is polished, professional and radio-friendly, with enough grit and integrity to keep heads bobbing and fists pumping.

Looking to further the support they have received from NZ on Air and national TV and radio coverage, AE has plans for a summer tour and a new single in the works. Building on their success to date is a huge priority for the band, and all signs indicate that the empire is growing.

Band Members:
Adam Tibble (vocals, guitar)
Nic Hurman (bass)
Dan Sheehan (guitar)
Nick Clarke (drums)

The band will be touring with new RockNRoll band Rata & Sons...

Rata & Sons, the new high energy rock n roll band featuring Maia Rata, one of the most exciting, soulful voices in town. A uniquely New Zealand kind of rock n roll, Rata & Sons tips its hat to any number of classic guitar bands. It also features a set of new songs with hooks to burn by Nick Sampson (Netherworld Dancing Toys - For Today), Steve Simpson (Pash - Doo-wop) and Aaron Carson (Dead Flowers/Thorazine Shuffle/Larry Normans).

Recently out from a long winter in the rehearsal room Rata & Sons features a twin guitar attack, an explosive rhythm section (including ex-Able Tasman Craig Mason who’s never forgotten Keith Moon) and two well travelled voices (Simpson/Sampson) backing up the amazing Mr Rata.

The full line up is:
- Aaron Carson (bass) – Thorazine Shuffle, Dead Flowers, Larry Normans
- Maia Rata – (vocals) – solo artist and collaborations with numerous dub and hip hop artists including Dirty Records, 4 Corners, Breakin Wreckwordz and Louie Knuxx.
- Craig Mason (drums) – Able Tasmans, Sombretones, Chill’s, Lure of Shoes
- Nick Sampson (guitar/vocals) – Netherworld Dancing Toys, Lure of Shoes
- Steve Simpson (gat/backing vox) – Pash, The Unusuals

Also on tour will be Wellingtons band Mercury Crowe....

Mercury Crowe formed in late 2004 and have since been developing their sound through constant recording and live shows. They believe in good song writing backed up by passionate playing and draw as much influence from the Beatles and Ryan Adams as they do the Black Crowes and Hendrix.

With four songwriters in the band, Mercury Crowe are always working on new material and have just released their debut self-titled e.p. available at their website.

Band Members:

Allan Mansfield (vocals, guitar)
Hamish the surgeon McKoy (guitar, vocals)
Rowan Clark (bass, vocals)
Nick George (drums, vocals)

Information on tour dates please visit :

www.myspace.com/jigsawmusic