Wednesday, February 8, 2012 We here at SOTO have just started what will be a tidal wave of SXSW coverage, but before I jump in that lake I need to highlight a band that won't be at the festival - Imperial China. The three piece act is from Washington, DC, and they play what's best described as experimental post-punk. There are elements of math rock, electronica, and some hardcore influences. It's a mish-mash of styles that combine intensity and force to form a rhythmic attack [...]
New track from DC mainstays, Imperial China. The song is a self described powder keg that rips you through two minutes fifty of post-punk bliss. The band sounds huge, with harmonic guitars amplifying the growling utterances of vocalist Patrick Gough. The boys have a new album out on January 28 through DC's [...]
Thursday, July 7, 2011 I was recently listening to the folks in the Sound Opinions podcast debate the new Battles album, and the praise thrown out for its driving rhythms and phenomenal drumming got me thinking one of my favorite bands from Washington, DC, Imperial China. Imperial China, or ImpChin as they are affectionately called by fans, is a three piece that plays a glorious racket of experimental post-punk with tints of math rock, post-rock and electronica. They've released one EP (Methods) and [...]
This post marks trescientos posts here at 1146 miles. Way back before this blog had even one post, Aural States highlighted Imperial China. Their January post noted the split release of Imperial China's full-length Phosphenes between Sockets and Ruffian Records. Aural States went out of their way to deliver high praise for the record: "Phosphenes" is a testament to Imperial China's distinct sound, meticulously alloying innumerable flavors of rock and pop into something both fresh and familiar. Not without some imperfections, but overall the album is a confident, well-developed debut of [...]
Last Thursday saw the triumphant return of one of the last bastions of DC's idle old guard. It has been several years since the solid district trio of medications has made it's presence on a local stage, and even longer, five years in fact, since the group has released an album. In that time many things have changed: the original drummer parted ways with the group, one of the members move across the country, and the current configuration is a four piece. Beyond that, one thing has remained the same: Medications is still a rock solid powerhouse. [...]
Anyone that still feels unconvinced about DC's growing music scene will put their doubts to rest Friday night at the Rock and Roll Hotel. A solid lineup of four DC-area bands, Imperial China , Loose Lips, Buildings , and Connect the Dots (La La Lala) are playing together. Also included in musical activities with be Sockets Records founder, Sean Peoples , who will DJ in between sets. These bands made their rounds through the city, playing in living rooms, basements, cafes, main stage showcases, and warehouse spaces. Now, they gather together Friday night to give [...]
It's no understatement—we're hooked on Imperial China's latest, 'Phosphenes' which our friends over at Aural States championed with, "Phosphenes is a testament to Imperial China's distinct sound, meticulously alloying innumerable flavors of rock and pop into something both fresh and familiar. . .overall the album is a confident, well-developed debut of a unique and vibrant voice in a somewhat stagnant scene. A sign of a fertile future for both artist and label, and if we're lucky, one of the first major volleys in a [...]
DC prog rock all stars www.myspace.com/imperialchina recorded @ sockets showcase 1/22/10 Imperial China @ sockets showcase mp3
For any band coming out of DC that makes harder, punk inspired music, it's a basic fact that they will garner comparisons to Fugazi. With the immense impact the band had (along with the Dischord imprint) on defining a sound for the District, it's pretty inevitable. But while it might be an apt reference point for the music of Imperial China, this band is as much about innovating as they are about honoring the familiar. They channel a post-punk sound through elements of math rock and experimental electronics, all the while still managing to maintain a sound that [...]
On a sleepy, rainy Sunday afternoon, I sat down with Sean Peoples, the creator and prime mover of thriving DC label, Sockets Records , to talk about that very same said thing. The obvious catalyst being the, somewhat, five year celebratory, upcoming label showcase at the Black Cat. Peoples expressed minor concerns about his shape to do an interview, since he was in headlong recovery from the previous evening's two-year anniversary of his, also hugely successful, Fatback dance night. After I sympathized, explaining that a simple, "What's up?" [...]
It's Day #2 of Sockets Records' blog takeover in advance of Friday's label showcase show at The Black Cat , and we're joined by the super succinct Imperial China. One of the cooler LP covers I've seen in recent years is the cover to Thee Oh Sees' 'Help.' Any and all Oh [...]
MP3: Imperial China - All That Is Solid ( limited time exclusive download ) Sockets is having a label showcase at the Black Cat Mainstage on Fri Jan 22nd including Imperial China, Hume, Buildings, The Cornel West Theory and Big Gold Belt. First, let's address the unavoidable: few can discuss any independent music act coming out of DC without mentioning Dischord Records. This is not without good reason: Dischord casts a long shadow, more a movement and culture than anything so narrowly scoped as a record label. Since its output, [...]
For the most part I'm not into the heavier shades of rock. Perhaps my old age has warped my original love for it (my high school days were ruled by it). That being said there have been a few... [go to the website to read the rest of the article, download mp3s and more]
Flickrshow will appear here! Imperial China Hexagon Baltimore, MD Nov 13 2009 Band: Brian Porter Matt Johnson Patrick Gough Lineage: Stereo AKG 414s + mono soundboard output -> Zoom H4n -> Cubase (mix + limiting) -> MP3/FLAC Taper: David Carter ( carteriffic@gmail.com ) Download the full set formatted as: MP3 or FLAC Stream and download individual tracks below. Another fantastic [...]
Tonight in Baltimore don't miss a crazy good hip hop event at Sonar presented by Busy Bee. The teacher Krs-One is there with Marley Marl, Mizery Loves Company, DJ P-Funk, and DJ Ice. Another hip hop event is going on at The Zodiac as well with Labtekwon, Jones, Alexis Gideon, and Shelley Short. Down in DC the Rock and Roll Hotel has Meredith Bragg, David Stein, Rana Mansour, and Laura Tsaggaris playing while Imperial China is roughing up the Black Cat along with Sean McArdle. Also Lady Sovereign plays the 9:30 Club [...]
After a few days off due to holidays, day trips and other things that have popped up, I am finally back on track and will give you some ideas for what to spend your time and money on Thursday and the coming weekend for auditory and visual entertainment. By the looks of the DC/Baltimore and Pennsylvania calendars, it is going to be another busy one. Travis (photo from bands myspace) A couple of bands are hitting the area [...]
MP3: Imperial China - Space Anthem MP3: Imperial China - Mortal Wombat (Live from Aural States Fest 2009) One of DC's finest, and one of our favorite local artists ( Imperial China ) were in the famed Inner Ear Studios this past weekend recording their full-length, set to drop later this year with Devin Ocampo on the boards. We took some shots.
One of DC's finest, and one of our favorite local artists ( Imperial China ) were in the famed Inner Ear Studios this past weekend recording their full-length, set to drop later this year with Devin Ocampo on the boards. We took some shots. More to come.
Imperial China Aural States Fest Talking Head Club Baltimore, MD January 30, 2009 Source: mg sms2000/200 > tascam hd-p2 (oade - acm) @ 44.1/16 bit Compression: cdwav > flac Taper: Steve Sanford Download the full set formatted as: MP3 or FLAC Stream and download individual MP3s after the jump. 1. MP3: Mortal [...]
Wye Oak is already posted, and over the next 11 days we'll be posting the rest of the live audio and tons more coverage from our first annual Aural States Fest! Thanks for coming out! All photos: Shantel Mitchell OK, I am sure I am not alone in thinking that this was one of the best shows that I've been to in awhile. Not only did this show [...]
Side One: Track One
newdust
1146 miles
All Our Noise // We Are Live
The Vinyl District
DisClosed mp3
Aural States
Pasta Primavera
Instrumental Analysis
Skrillex Uses Satanic and Homosexual Influence to Win Grammys
Music Alliance Pact. MAP. February 2012.
A-Trak - "Round of Applause" / "Where My Money At" (MP3 Download)
