Photo by Danny SuedeWe recently spoke with Brandon Hoover, guitarist for Texas formed metal-core band Crown the Empire. The band first started out in 2010, with their original album Limitless that came out in 2011. The band now has three full length albums and one EP. Their latest album, Retrograde, debuted #1 on Billboard Independent, Top Rock, Hard Rock Album charts. They are currently on their fall headliner tour with Bless the Fall, New Years Day, Too Close to Touch, and Light Up The Sky. Here’s what Brandon had to say!
Crown The Empire recently released the massively anticipated record Retrograde. It debuted at #15 on Billboard Top 200, #1 Hard Music, #1 Rock, #1 Independent and #2 Top Internet when it was released. Did you expect the album to be received so well?
I don’t think we really knew what the fans were going to think. Retrograde was something totally different than we’ve ever done before. In the past we were following a story we had written during The Fallout that turned into The Resistance but for the new album we decided to put that to rest. We’ve been a band for 6 years, it was time to tell our own stories.
The thematic spectrum has changed with this new album release. Previously your last two albums focused on revolution and corruption. This album holds a space theme, giving listeners the chance to interpret it in different ways, whether getting space from someone or outer space itself. Are you planning to continue this theme into the next album, or are you steering away from multiple themed albums?
The space theme came from 2001: A Space Odyssey. We became obsessed with Stanley Kubrick while we were in the studio which led to us embracing the ideals of the 60s. We started watching all these documentaries about capitalism, racism, government imperialism and before you knew it we were really consumed in this world. Our view points on life completely changed. I have no idea what’s in store for the next album. All we’re gonna do is keep growing and embracing new ideals, listening to different kinds of music. Incubus was also a huge influence on the spacey vibes.
Songs such as “Zero” and “Hologram” seem to be the fan favorites off Retrograde. What song(s) are your favorite and why? What were you hoping fans took from the songs or album as a whole?
“Hologram” was always one of my favorites. It’s about us being away from home on tour and feeling like we aren’t even real people anymore. We would come back home and everyone would be the exact same yet we had all changed completely because of everything we had experienced in the real world.
How would you say your last album differs from Retrograde? What were your goals when making Retrograde?
The Resistance was all over the place. Retrograde has an overlying theme throughout the entire album. It feels like a rollercoaster yet it all makes sense. Our producers were a huge part of Crown finally developing a sound of our own while still keeping what made us special in our past albums.
Was it difficult to choose which songs would be the “singles”? What made you say “This is the one we’re going to show fans!”?
It was difficult because we wanted to do something different. In all honesty we would of preferred to go with our gut feeling and put out “Aftermath” first. But “Zero” was an obvious choice because it was something our fans could embrace easier than a completely new sound. “Hologram” was a perfect song to release before the album though. I think that song really brings in elements of Crown The Empire from every album we’ve made over the years while still bringing something new to the table.
What was the recording process like for the album? Do you generally come up with the lyrics or instrumentals first?
We went in with the amazing Drew Fulk and Josh Strock. It all depended on the song but mostly we would start out with a drum beat or guitar riff and next thing you knew we had a full song down. Then we would put lyrics over it. They really got us into the mindset of why this album was so important and helping us grow as people.
You have an upcoming headliner fall tour in support of the new album, what can fans expect to see when coming out to a show?
The set list we put together is something different than we’ve ever done before. It’s a ride from the beginning till the end. We’ve only done a couple of headlining tours in the past, but for this one we were finally able to put the time into making it into an actual show rather than a hype up performance like we’ve always done. I think it’s going to change the way people think about our band.
What do you love most about touring? What do you miss when on tour? What do you do for fun when you’re not on tour?
I love traveling and seeing the world, it’s a very surreal feeling. The only thing I can think of missing is the stability of being at home, but honestly I love how crazy the road gets. When I’m at home I read a lot, play music, but mostly I’m in full Crown The Empire mode.
From previous tours and being an opener band, how does it feel to be the headliner and playing all new songs off the album?
We didn’t know what to expect when playing these new songs but the fans have really connected with Retrograde and it feels amazing to finally spread what this album means in a live environment.
What can fans expect in 2017, anything special in the works?
We are about to head out on our headlining tour for Retrograde across the U.S. and Canada and then we have a show overseas to end the year that we haven’t announced yet. More overseas stuff in the works as well for 2017. That’s all we know for right now!
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Interview by Savannah Lee, RockRevolt Contributor
