Since forming in 2009, Toronto’s Young Empires has shared the stage with some of the world’s most popular musicians.
Foster the People, the Japandroids, Chromeo, Girl Talk and Vampire Weekend are a few of the headliners the band has toured with so far.
“About a year and a half ago we were flown down to Bogota Columbia to do a festival with Jamiroquai and Green Day,” said the band’s guitarist Robert Aaron Ellingson. “We were a fairly young band at that point and we were flown down there and treated like Kings of Leon for a weekend. It was pretty awesome.”
Young Empires have not yet released a full album but their EP which features the hit singles Enter Through the Sun and White Dove have earned them placement in the top 10 of various music charts.
“It feels surreal all the time. Whatever happens we’re always in awe that this is happening because of the music,” said Ellingson. “We’re so grateful and thankful. We just hope that it all continues.”
Their music has been compared to bands like The Killers, Arcade Fire and Cut Copy, but they describe their music as world beat haute rock.
“I don’t really know where it came from,” said Ellingson. “I think whenever you’re trying to fit something in a particular genre it becomes difficult. We don’t really listen to all of the same genres; we all listen to different stuff. We tried to define it a little bit and that’s what came.”
The world beat part of their genre he said comes from a lot of the travel percussion like artists in Latin American and African use in their music.
Young Empires have toured across Canada and the world and will be playing at The Royal on Tuesday.
“The Canadian music industry has a lot of respect internationally,” said Ellingson. “Sometimes when you’re in the UK for example fans will want to come see you because you’re from Canada.”
Nelson is part of the band’s first Western Canadian tour.
“This is the first time for us to play in Canada outside of Ontario and Quebec really,” he said. “People can expect to dance if they want to. It’s going to be high energy, pretty loud and sweat — well if they want to dance they will be sweaty; we’ll be sweaty.”
Young Empires have also recently created a Facebook interactive video where fans are able to engage with the band in on a different level.
“People are able to see their pictures or profiles as part of the story and it makes it that much more powerful and emotional,” said Ellingson.
Young Empires play Tuesday. Doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets are $6 at the door or online at liveattheroyal.com