New Empire is a Pop rock band from Sydney, Australia. The band members are Jeremy Fowler, Kale Kneale, Kyle Lane and Nate Cairns. Up until late 2011 they also had a touring guitarist and keyboardist, Thom William.
Origin: Australia
Genres: Pop rock, Rock, pop, alternative
Years active: 2005–present
The band began as Freedom1 in 2005, with Jeremy Fowler and Kale Kneale meeting in high school. The addition of Kale's cousin, Sam Walker and meeting guitarist, Peter Gillies at church came soon after. The band members all lived around the Cronulla area. Eventually it was discovered that a group in America already had the name Freedom1, so a name change occurred with New Empire as the result. Prior to this, the band had already released two EPs, Hero and Here For A Reason. The band felt a connection with the word 'empire', as it sounded timeless and went from there. Creating New Empire as they thought the words &sounded good together&. The band played at Black Stump Music and Arts Festival between 2005 and 2009, also appearing at Big Exo Day for a number of years. Their debut album, entitled Come with Me Tonight was released in August 2008. And in 2009 they found themselves curtain opening for headline act Relient K. In 2010 they opened for Stan Walker and Hillsong United as part of the Youth Alive tour. On 27 December 2010, it was announced on the band's Myspace and Facebook pages that Sam Walker had parted ways with the band. Throughout April 2011, they toured Australia as a supporting act for Good Charlotte.
Later that month, they served as a supporting act for Switchfoot at their Sydney show.
They played as the supporting act for Owl City for his &All Things Bright And Beautiful& tour, in Australia.
On Monday, 14 March 2011, the band released the song &Here in Your Eyes& from their upcoming album on YouTube and iTunes. On Wednesday, 29 June 2011, their second single from the upcoming album Give Me the World was released on YouTube and iTunes.
It was officially announced on Thursday, 7 July 2011 that Kyle Lane would be the newest member of New Empire, playing on bass.
On Saturday, 9 July 2011, whilst at their Brisbane concert, part of the Here in Your Eyes Tour, Jeremy unofficially announced the name of their upcoming second album. It was later officially announced on Thursday, 14 July that the new album was to be titled Symmetry. It was released on 16 September.
In October and November 2011, they toured Australia in support of their &Symmetry Tour& with supporting acts, For Our Hero, and A Sleepless Melody.
Late 2011 saw the departure of Thom William as their touring guitarist and keyboardist to work on his career as a producer and writer.
In January 2012, New Empire performed in New Zealand at the annual Parachute Music Festival, along with The Almost, The Rocket Summer, Relient K and Casting Crowns.
On 7 April 2012, while at Easterfest, Jeremy announced that their song &One Heart/Million Voices& had been selected as the official theme song for the 2012 Summer Olympics on Australian TV.
The band made a surprise appearance at the Black Stump Music and Arts Festival in 2012.
On Tuesday, 6 November 2012, New Empire officially released a statement regarding the departure of Peter Gillies from the band. Kyle Lane, who was originally the bass player, was also announced as the new lead guitarist as that is his preferred instrument.
Kyle Lane and Jeremy Fowler played a &secret& acoustic show at Easterfest 2013 at Bon Amici Cafe.
Band members
■ Current members
※ Jeremy Fowler – Lead Vocals, guitar, piano (2005–present)
※ Kale Kneale – Drums/pecrussion, backing vocals (2005–present)
※ Kyle Lane – Lead Guitar, backing vocals (2012–present), Bass Guitar, backing vocals (2005–2012)
※ Nate Cairns - Bass, backing vocals
■ Former members
※ Sam Walker – Bass Guitar (2005)
※ Pete Gillies – Lead Guitar (2005-2012)
■ Touring musicians
Thom William - Touring Guitar and Keyboard (2005-2011)
(wiki)