Emarosa

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Emarosa
Emarosa performing in late 2008.
Emarosa performing in late 2008.
Background information
OriginLexington, Kentucky, USA
GenresPost-hardcore, soul, R&B, metalcore (early)
Years active2006–present
LabelsStandBy, Rise
MembersER White
Jordan Stewart
Lukas Koszewski
Will Sowers
Jonas Ladekjaer
Past membersChris Roberts
Mike Bryant
Madison Stolzer
Chris Roetter
Jonny Craig

Emarosa (/ɛməˈroʊsə/ EM-ə-ROH-sə) is an American post-hardcore band from Lexington, Kentucky. Formed in 2006, they released one EP in 2007 titled This Is Your Way Out, and shortly after, the group underwent significant lineup and sound changes, dropping their heavy metal influence and leaning toward a soul inspiration.[1][2] The band went on to release Relativity, which features their most recent vocalist Jonny Craig and new guitarist Jonas Ladekjaer. Their eponymous second album was released on June 29, 2010 meeting their highest critical acclaim yet.

History

Beginnings and This Is Your Way Out (2006–2008)

Emarosa began with keyboardist Jordan Stewart, drummer Lukas Koszewski and guitarist E.R. White having the decision of either attending college, or staying in their hometown of Lexington, Kentucky to start a new band. Stewart stated that "There's too much of an itch to do this," regarding the band he helped start in February 2006.[3] The band origins date back to early high school, which was said by keyboardist Jordan Stewart on Indiestar.tv. Stewart states some of the members had been playing in high school before "taking it serious," referring to four of the original members on the current lineup (ER White, Will Sowers, Lukas Koszweski, Jordan Stewart).[4] Emarosa initially formed as a five piece post-hardcore band called Corsets Are Cages in 2006, and recorded three songs during this time (most notably "Utah, But I’m Taller"), however when the band lost two members and gained two new ones (including another vocalist, Chris Roetter) it was decided that it was time to start afresh with a new name: Emarosa. The band was signed to StandBy Records to record their 7 track EP This Is Your Way Out. It was released on May 1, 2007, by StandBy Records through Thriving Records because StandBy had no distribution at the time.

On November 2007, lead singer Jonny Craig from Dance Gavin Dance, was released for the final time with the band due to extreme tension and personal conflicts with the other members.[5] After leaving Dance Gavin Dance after the "Saints and Sinners Festival" in New Jersey, Jonny Craig immediately filled in for A Skylit Drive and toured with them while their then lead singer Jordan was ill during their tour. It had been only 2 weeks since he left Dance Gavin Dance in which he joined Emarosa who were left without a lead singer. Emarosa officially announced the permanent addition of Jonny Craig on November 19, 2007.[6]

Jordan Stewart (keyboardist) and Lukas Koszewski (drummer) were interviewed in which they referred to the problems regarding Jonny Craig and the transitions: "In the beginning it was pretty intense. We would receive rather nasty comments and messages on Myspace asking what happened to Chris and why Jonny was no longer with Dance Gavin Dance. Sometimes when we play, kids will think it is funny to throw in remarks about the change and how they liked the old stuff better. The time between us realizing Chris wasn't working out to the time Jonny joined was extremely short. But even with Chris in the band, it was already decided that our full-length wouldn't have as much screaming. We just kept writing the way we had been before parting ways with Chris."[7]

Relativity (2008–2009)

On January 26, 2008, Emarosa posted their first official song with Jonny Craig titled, "New Demo" (now known to be "Set It Off Like Napalm"). Two weeks later, the demo of "Pretend. Release. The Close." was put on their player. On May 3, 2008, three new post-production songs were added to the MySpace player and the name of the album, Relativity, was revealed. The album was released on July 8, 2008, and received high praise from critics and fans alike.

In Emarosa's latest and first video interview with Indiestar, Craig stated that "Set It Off Like Napalm" and "Pretend Release the Close" were "about the life [Craig] was having, [his departure from] Dance Gavin Dance, and how much better [he] was feeling about being in this band [Emarosa]." They were written in one practice session and played live 2 days later. He also said that "Even Bad Men Love Their Mothers" was co-sang by his mother. Boyz II Men was also said to be one of Jonny Craig's main musical influences. Craig states that most of the instrumentals were already completed prior to joining Emarosa, in which Jordan Stewart (keyboardist) says five were completed, to be exact. Jerry Roush, formerly of Sky Eats Airplane and Of Mice & Men, makes an appearance stating he's the new screamer for Emarosa but is joking the entire interview.[8]

Emarosa has been touring for the past 2 years with such bands as; Fiora, Akissforjersey, Before Their Eyes, and The Wedding. Emarosa toured with A Skylit Drive, Sky Eats Airplane, and Breathe Carolina the entire month of July. They began another tour in Canada with Canadian headliners Dead and Divine for the month of August and played with Chiodos on August 30, 2008 as a special event in their hometown of Lexington, Kentucky. Emarosa was the headline for the "Rise Records Tour" the entire month of September and first week of October, with support from In Fear and Faith and Attack Attack!. They held their headlining, "The Delicious Tour" alongside Pierce the Veil and Breathe Carolina. Emarosa toured the UK alongside You Me at Six and The Spill Canvas from March 6 until March 13, 2009.[9] A Day to Remember announced their latest US Tour (The Sweet Brag Tour) which included Emarosa along with metalcore bands The Devil Wears Prada and Sky Eats Airplane. The tour stretched from March 14 until May 1, 2009. June 19 - August 1, 2009, Emarosa headlined The Artery Foundation Across the Nation Tour supported by I See Stars, Our Last Night, In Fear and Faith, Burden of a Day, and Broadway.

Self-titled album and departure of Craig (2010–2012)

Emarosa informed fans that they had begun recording material for their new album via their YouTube channel.[10] and on January 2, 2010 Emarosa entered the studio to record their second full length album working with producer Brian McTernan who had contacted Emarosa previously with plans to record their second album. While recording the band posted updates for fans from the studio which can be seen on their Tumblr blog.[11]

The album was released on June 29, 2010 through Rise Records and received a good amount of praise. In an interview with Punktastic, the band spoke about the overall sound of this album. "I remember during the recording process, ER and I talked a lot about wanting to do more folk/indie stuff for the next record. Really bare bones, mellow and raw." Shrednews said "Emarosa have taken this album to a higher level, with more complex and animated guitar riffs, and pounding drum beats that you will make you headbang without even realizing it."[12]

Craig stated that the band would be traveling to Portland after his solo tour to record a B-side for the self-titled album.[13] He also stated that a version of "The Game Played Right" featuring Modsun would be released in.

While on tour, the band is known to occasionally play "Casablanca" with a guest vocalist. So far Cody Anderson (formerly of In Fear and Faith), Chris Roetter (of Like Moths to Flames, formerly Emarosa and Agraceful, who actually wrote the song), Austin Carlile, Jon Mess (of Dance Gavin Dance), Kyle Tamosaitis (formerly of Burden of a Day), Chris Moore, and Jerry Roush have performed this song alongside the band.

During the summer of 2010 Jonny Craig and Jon Mess both rejoined Dance Gavin Dance (of which they were original members). Although Craig had not announced his plans for his relationship with Emarosa, he is currently concentrating on his work with Dance Gavin Dance whose new album Downtown Battle Mountain II was released March 8, 2011. In Craig's absence Emarosa picked up ex-Tides of Man touring vocalist, Tilian Pearson.[14][15] On February 27, 2011 Alternative Press broke the news that Craig had turned himself into detox, stemming from reports of Twitter scams and from a longtime addiction.

On April 11, 2011, Alternative Press announced that Craig had been kicked out of Emarosa. The band stated that "as of today, Jonny Craig is no longer a member of Emarosa. This decision has been a hard one to make, but we feel it is in the best interest for the band going forward." Tides of Man vocalist, Tilian Pearson filled in for Craig for 2011 tour dates.[16][17] According to an Alternative Press interview with the band, their ideal vocalist would not be like Craig tone wise. "We’re not looking for Jonny Craig 2.0. We just want to find someone who can bring something unique to the band," states Stewart.[18]

Future plans (2012–present)

The band has yet to release any information about who will replace former lead vocalist Jonny Craig. It was rumored former Tides of Man vocalist, Tilian Pearson had joined the band, but was later discredited by Pearson himself.[19] On April 6, the band posted that they are still looking for a new vocalist.[20] Bassist Will Sowers stated that the band will release a new album in the summer of 2012, although no new material has been released as of November 2012, nor has there been any word of a new lead vocalist.

Band members

Discography

Albums
Year Title Label Chart Positions [21]
Top 200 US Indie US Heat
2008 Relativity Rise 191 33 15
2010 Emarosa 69 9 -
EPs
Demos
  • Corsets Are Cages (2006, self-released)

References

  1. ^ Relativity, Emarosa | Cleveland Leader
  2. ^ Allmusic.com
  3. ^ Altpress.com
  4. ^ Indiestar.tv
  5. ^ Lamgoat.com
  6. ^ Absolutepunk.net, Jonny Craig Sings for Emarosa
  7. ^ Somethingpunk.com
  8. ^ Indiestar.tv January 2009
  9. ^ Artistticket.com
  10. ^ http://www.youtube.com/user/EmarosaTV
  11. ^ http://emarosaband.tumblr.com/
  12. ^ http://www.shrednews.com/emarosa-cd-rev/
  13. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge3tyB4vxKk
  14. ^ Karan, Tim (27 February 2011). "Exclusive: Jonny Craig checks into detox, scam victims to be reimbursed". Alternative Press. Retrieved 12 March 2011.
  15. ^ Huntington, Kyle (27 February 2011). "Emarosa Happenings". AbsolutePunk. Retrieved 12 March 2011.
  16. ^ Karan, Tim (11 April 2011). "Exclusive: Jonny Craig no longer in Emarosa". Alternative Press. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
  17. ^ Ilvonen, Keagan (11 April 2011). "Is Anyone Surprised?". AbsolutePunk. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
  18. ^ http://www.altpress.com/features/entry/exclusive_emarosa_open_up_about_firing_jonny_craig/
  19. ^ http://mindequalsblown.net/2012/02/05/tilian-pearson-not-in-emarosa/
  20. ^ http://emarosaband.com/post/20601087697/462012
  21. ^ "Billboard.com". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-07-19. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Emarosa.
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