Page 14 - RockRevoltMagazine-Summer2019

AN INTERVIEW WITH CROWN THE EMPIRE were like oh this is an idea, lets run but just watching it -- nothing
with it. I was really into like “Sin surprises me anymore. At one
by Devon Anderson Are we human? City,” so it was like a comic book point, this festival was going to
movie that was all black white live on forever, but musically and
rown the Empire are having, was this internal conflict that was Crown the Empire definitely takes Are we programmed and red; we kind of balanced culturally, everything is so shifty
by all accounts, an amazing stirring and brewing over the their hearts and cracks them wide a few colors in that realm of a and wonky right now. I think
C2019. With a new album course of us -- I guess we were just open in Sudden Sky, and there beyond our control? comic book. Then, Shawn kind we’re trying to figure out this ever
out now that you have GOT to getting kind of caught up in the is a strong sense of vulnerability of ran off with it and did his own glowing path that everybody is
get your ears on (Sudden Sky, lifestyle more than like actually and openness with their lyrics, You wanna FInd out? thing. Kind of animated with 3D trying to chase down and take
available wherever you get your addressing things, and finally it more so than ever before. Leo at the same time. He was great, their own routes to try and carve
music kicks) and a headlining tour just all caught up and imploded at said that they realized that “being Pay attention, the and it was awesome. their own ways through it, I think.
with Attila, Veil of Maya, Gideon, once. So, it was kind of like a burst straight agro and jumping around It’s a bummer that it’s gone now,
and Hawk that has hit the ground of the bubbles for us knowing and punching the air is something batterys low Headlining for Attila, CTE finds but I think anything is possible
running, this year has been a good that it’s not all fun and games all that we could only do for so long themselves topping off a pretty nowadays. Lil Nas for example,
one for the band. The fruits of all the time. Sometimes bad things before it gets more complex. I think heavy lineup. In fact, Attila asked just boom, all of a sudden this is
of their labors seem to be ripening, happen or people change and by stripping it out and addressing Hoover added that a message them to come out and headline a thing, and it’s the number one
so what better time for them to sit you grow apart, and we thought stuff head on, we have taken a big he’d like to see fans take away for them, which, according to song like three weeks being the
down and talk with us? No better we were invincible in our careers leap in that kind of direction.” from their new album is “to learn Brandon Hoover was “Dope. longest time at number one. I was
time, that’s what. This tour - and thus far when everything was how to balance being connected We’ve been friends with those watching like, what is happening,
this album - are both experiences going pretty well. And so to kind to technology and stepping away dudes since we started touring you know? His new EP has like
you will not want to miss out on of have reality like just “kick you And a lot of musicians and bands from it to feel genuine human back in 2011-2012, so we love Kurt Cobain credited on one of
to end your summer on the most in the kitten” as my mum would are currently finding power in their connection. It’s getting harder and going out on the road with them. the songs because he fully took
badass note possible. say, I think it all happened for us vulnerability, so Crown the Empire harder to step away from these They were one of the first bands one of the choruses from Nirvana
at once. We kind of had to go is not alone in that. However, I screens we hold in our hands. I who accepted us even though we and used it and nobody cares.
back to the drawing board, and would argue that for fans of the still struggle with it constantly were not known at the time.” It’s like building Legos, but now
You burn down what you dont love - You destroy what
So in the whole scheme of life - There has to be the shadow youre made of - You defy what you locked out - Terrifed of

Because without the shadow - There cant be the substance
what youll FInd out

Though the album may seem everybody gets to know each band, this change of pace is not because I have to run all of the
like news to those of us on the fan other on like an actual new level -- only welcome but necessary with social media for my band, and Coming off of their nearly
side of things, it is nothing new to and not like we were like brothers the rapidly evolving, politically it’s so draining at times. It’s not constant runs on Warped, CTE What am I afraid of?
the guys in Crown the Empire. In before that you know, but I think charged times we live in. Brandon normal to know thousands of wanted a tour experience that
fact, they have been tweaking and to really make sure that a part of Hoover, guitarist for the band, people’s opinions, good or bad.” promises “pure, ignorant fun. The unknown? Things I
perfecting this baby for us for the this is on the same wavelength. says that the current political and I agree - never, ever read the Heavy, high energy, hot and
last two years. When asked about All of our deepest scaredy cat social climate has “had everything comments! sweaty party time.” Likening it cant control?
his feelings regarding Sudden Sky, moments felt like the next step, so to do with how the music has to a “rage fest,” Andy Leo and
Andy Leo mused, “It doesn’t seem we needed to be as completely transformed over the past couple Speaking of balance and the guys are making this tour Am I afraid to say it out
like it’s been that long, but my life honest and open as we could be. of years as well as who we are as technology, the band released the a fan-driven experience, even
is in a completely different place.” people. We’ve always discussed video for “MZRY,” which takes asking fans what they would like loud
topics like this, but I feel like the viewer on an unexpected to see in terms of setlist! “We did
RockRevolt: I’m glad that you said currently they are more relevant animated journey. Inspiration, as a poll online to see what songs When its easier to just
that about a new place in your life You could fear than ever. Because we live these it turns out, was found through the fans wanted to hear more
because you can totally tell from bizarre lives and are constantly the band’s disinterest in starring of, so we had a kind of curated wade in the comfort of a
the sound, so what inspired all of what youre on tour, we get to witness a lot of in their own music video! setlist for them before we usher
this? You seem more open, more things first hand. When you see in the new elements. This is our crowd?
emotional; “who hurt you?” is too scared to the world you realize the direction Andy Leo: So, initially we last like hoorah, fuck the system,
what I want to say? we’re heading in and it’s a very just knew we didn’t want everybody break shit kind of tour.” How many times can I
understand weird one…” to be in another music
Andy Leo: Life. I think I video. The one before When it comes to the end of refresh the same page
just got older, you know, I Or you could open that took, like, so much Warped, fans and bands alike
think all at once. It felt like time, so much editing. all have their own opinion, that Before I realize that
a lot of things especially up your mind and We had like a green is for sure. For CTE, the end of
with the band, with screen on it, so it was just Warped has really proven that, Ill just get the same
our members, with like breathe it in like logistically a nightmare. I was like everything anymore, nothing
management and people like, “You know what would be really can surprise anyone... outcome?
behind the scenes. There tight? To not be in it.” And people Andy Leo: I think it’s sad
15 // RockRevolt Magazine