Features
Empire of the Sun
Australia’s Empire of the Sun began as strictly a studio project, a collaboration between The Sleepy Jackson’s Luke Steele and Pnau’s Nick Littlemore. But a 2009 solar eclipse seems to have provided the catalyst for what would become a traveling sci-fi-inspired extravaganza.
The band was already renowned in Australia, by virtue of its recorded output alone, when it performed on an April 2009 broadcast marking the eclipse and announced its live debut in that fall’s Parklife festival in Perth.
Photo: Drew Ressler / Rukes.com
Within a year, Empire of the Sun made its eye-popping mark in the States. Appearing at festivals with its elaborate costumes and stage production, and driven by its ethereal brand of electro pop, Empire of the Sun also sold out two-night runs at The Fonda in Los Angeles and Terminal 5 in New York City.
The band is perfectly suited to festivals, bringing an aural and visual experience complete with dancing aliens and a production that evokes images from “Dune.” But Empire of the Sun’s production is well-suited to large clubs and theatres, too, and combined with its musical dreamscape, is transformative in an intimate setting as well.
Empire of the Sun is back in the States in support of its June release, Ice on the Dune, which has spawned a No. 1 club/dance single, “Alive,” that has earned radio support from such tastemakers as KCRW-FM and KROQ in Los Angeles. It’s followed by “DNA,” which drops with a video and remix package Sept. 24.
Photo: Oliver Scherillo
Empire of the Sun is currently on another tour of the U.S., winding down with a Halloween show at L.A.’s Shrine Auditorium. It’s already wowed audiences from Bonnaroo, Made In America and Hard Summer festivals to two nights at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C.
Steele and Littlemore have realized their vision of a psychedelic alternate universe, and are absolutely bringing new fans with them for the ride.