Emarosa

Emarosa
Emarosa performing in late 2008.
Background information
Origin	Lexington, Kentucky, United States
Genres	Post-hardcore Alternative rock
Years active	2006–present
Labels	Hopeless Rise StandBy
Associated acts	Like Moths to Flames Rosaline Sea of Treachery Agraceful Dance Gavin Dance Slaves This or the Apocalypse
Members	Bradley Walden ER White Marcellus Wallace Jordan Stewart
Past members	Madison Stolzer Chris Roetter Jonny Craig Jonas Ladekjaer Lukas Koszewski Will Sowers Tilian Pearson

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 rock inspiration.^[1][2] The band went on to release Relativity, which features vocalist Jonny Craig and new guitarist Jonas Ladekjaer. Their eponymous second album was released on June 29, 2010 meeting their highest critical acclaim yet. After undergoing a vocalist change and a slight style change, they released their third album Versus on September 9, 2014 which peaked at #61 in the top 200. They released their fourth studio album, 131, on July 8, 2016 through Hopeless Records. The band has undergone several line-up changes throughout its career, with lead guitarist ER White and keyboardist Jordan Stewart being the only two remaining founding members.

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, formed in 2006 as Corsets Are Cages, recorded a three-song demo during with vocalist Chris Roberts and rhythm guitarist Mike Bryant, however they left the band. The band recruited Chris Roetter and Madison Stolzer as replacements for the lost members and changed their name to Emarosa. They were signed to StandBy Records to record their 7 track EP This Is Your Way Out, which included a re-recording of the demo of "Utah, But I'm Taller", renamed just "Utah". It was released on May 1, 2007, by StandBy Records through Thriving Records because StandBy had no distribution at the time.

Shortly after the release of their debut EP, Chris Roetter and Madison Stolzer left the band. On November 19, 2007, Jonny Craig, former Dance Gavin Dance vocalist, was officially announced as the new vocalist.^[5] 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".^[6] Jonas Ladekjaer also joined the band as their new rhythm guitarist, forming their first solid line-up.

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.^[7]

Emarosa has been touring for the previous two 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.^[8] 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 Jonny Craig (2010–2012)

Emarosa informed fans that they had begun recording material for their new album via their YouTube channel.^[9] 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.^[10]

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."^[11]

Craig stated that the band would be traveling to Portland after his solo tour to record a B-side for the self-titled album.^[12] 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 concentrated 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.^[13][14] 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." Tilian Pearson, formerly of Tides of Man, filled in for Craig for 2011 tour dates.^[15][16] 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.^[17]

New vocalist, departures, and Versus (2012–2015)

It was rumored former Tides of Man vocalist, Tilian Pearson had joined the band, but was later discredited by Pearson himself.^[18] However, in December 2013, a demo song from their sessions with Tilian called "Supercow" was leaked on tumblr and YouTube.^[19] Tilian eventually replaced Jonny Craig in his former band, Dance Gavin Dance. 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 this did not materialize.

Jonny Craig said in an interview he has been collaborating with Emarosa on new songs.^[21] He says that while he's not officially a member, he is open to come back. However he later revealed that the band's long-vacant vocalist position has been filled by Bradley Walden, formerly of Squid the Whale.^[22]

On August 15, 2013, Emarosa stated that pre-production for their third studio album had begun^[23] and confirmed that the album has been tracked in December^[24] and will feature Letlive's vocalist Jason Aalon Butler as guest vocals on one of the tracks.^[25] On March 28, 2014 the band posted a new video that features studio interviews and a new song preview, announcing that the new album will be titled Versus.^[26] On April 24, the band released the first single, "Mad". According to vocalist Bradley Walden, the album will be released on September 9, 2014.^[27]

Emarosa toured in support of Versus with PVRIS, Beautiful Bodies and Too Close to Touch.^[28]

A music video for the "I'll Just Wait" was released on September 18, 2014.^[29]

On September 19, 2014, during an interview with Alternative Press, frontman Bradley Walden finally gave the statement of the departure of members Lukas Koszewski (drums, percussion) and Jonas Ladekjaer (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), with them saying that Koszewski left to pursue a modeling career, and Ladekjaer left to go back to school and that there's no bad blood between them and the band. Walden indicated that he was not interested in talking about his relationship with Jonny Craig.^[30]

Line-up changes and 131 (2015–present)

In December 2015, the band's updated Facebook information showed its new member line-up featuring Marcellus Wallace (actual name Matthew Marcellus, ex-This or the Apocalypse) who has toured with the band since 2014. Founding bassist, Will Sowers, left the band after accepting a job and returning to school. On January 19, 2016, Emarosa announced they had begun recording for their next album. They released their fourth studio album, 131, on July 8, 2016 through Hopeless Records.^[31] It was led by the single "Cloud 9", which was released on April 28, 2016.^[32]

Band members

Timeline

Discography

Albums

EPs

• This Is Your Way Out (2007, StandBy/Rise)
• VS (2015, Rise)

Demos

• 2006 Demo (released as Corsets Are Cages) (2006, self-released)

1. "Jesus Plays a Firebird"
2. "Too Close for Missiles, I'm Switching to Guns"
3. "Utah, But I'm Taller"

• Emarosa Demos (contained two demos that did not made the cut for the self-titled) (2010, unreleased)

1. "Share the Sunshine Young Blood"
2. "Live It. Love It. Lust It."
3. "I Still Feel Her, Part IV"
4. "We Are Life"
5. "Truth Hurst While Laying on Your Back"
6. "Pretend.Relive.Regret."
7. "The Game Played Right"
8. "The Weight of Love Blinds Eyes"
9. "Untitled #2"
10. "A Toast to the Future Kids!"
11. "Untitled #1"
12. "Broken vs. the Way We Were Born"

• 2011 Demo (w/ Tilian Pearson) (2011, unreleased) ^[34]

1. "Mamba" ^[35]
2. "Moonraker"
3. "Supercow" ^[36]
4. "Forest Whimsical"

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Emarosa.