Atlas : Empire

Atlas : Empire

Atlas : Empire is a Glasgow-based group active since 2011. Their music combines forward-thinking alternative rock, ambient electronica and energetic post-hardcore, with later material moving further towards progressive ideas.

Formation and early line-up

The group forms in summer 2011 around vocalist and guitarist Steven Gillies, formerly of The Ocean Fracture, and producer and multi-instrumentalist Jamie Sturt, who also has links with OYD, A Coalescence Cascade and This Silent Forest. The two have already worked together in other projects, but not as the main creative pair before Atlas : Empire begins. Gillies brings in material he has been developing after the end of his previous band, and the pair quickly write a small set of songs ranging from ambient electronica to post-hardcore.

As the songs develop, Dave Stephen joins on bass and vocals and also takes on co-production duties. Stephen has also played in A Coalescence Cascade and ex-The Vandelays. Paul McArthur of Salo and ex-The Ocean Fracture then joins as a temporary drummer, and the band makes its live debut in August 2011.

Recordings and releases

The group begins recording and self-producing its debut EP while still searching for a permanent drummer. Jonny Gormley, who is then playing with alt rock band Southpaw, joins after Gillies sends him work-in-progress mixes and he rehearses with the band once. In January 2012, producer Chris Gordon of Song of Return, Pareto and Lightguides mixes and masters four of the recorded tracks for the EP To the Astronaut....

In March, the band commissions a promotional video for the EP track Who watches the Watchmen? from Ayrshire-based media company Black Pepper Studios, and artwork for the release from Three Bears Design in Ohio. Dave Aird, formerly of Pareto and Sucioperro, also joins that month, widening the band’s line-up and sound. The group then releases To the Astronaut... digitally and starts work on its first full-length album.

Broadcast and live activity

Atlas : Empire is later featured on Ally McCrae’s BBC Introducing radio show, along with several other independent radio programmes and blogs. During 2011, the band plays a number of shows in Glasgow venues while continuing to write more progressive material and refine its live approach.

Members and connections

The band’s line-up centres on Steven Gillies, Jamie Sturt, Dave Stephen, Paul McArthur, Jonny Gormley and Dave Aird. Across their wider connections, the members have links to The Ocean Fracture, OYD, A Coalescence Cascade, This Silent Forest, Southpaw, Pareto, Lightguides, Salo and Sucioperro.