Emanuel and the Fear is an American symphonic rock band founded in Brooklyn in 2008 by frontman Emanuel Ayvas.Lester, Paul. "New Band of the Day" The Guardian, March 19, 2010.

History

In 2009, the band released their first self-titled EP on Paper Garden Records."Emanuel and the Fear - Emanuel and the Fear" Absolute Punk, July 21, 2009. The 5-track EP was executive produced by Jamin Gilbert (for Ishlab Music) and featured the band's first hit 'Jimme's Song.' The band toured extensively to promote the record, playing large shows and festivals, including CMJ"Alcoholic Faith Mission, Emanuel & The Fear, Motel Motel & others played Paper Garden's day party" Brooklyn Vegan, October 21, 2010. and the Northside Festival in New York, and Pop Montreal in Canada.

In 2010, they released their first full-length record, Listen, consisting of nineteen tracks, which includes some short tracks of random sounds and background noises. , August 24, 2010. The record was produced and edited by Jamin Gilbert (for Ishlab Music)"MTV Artist Bio" MTV and Emanuel Ayvas. Patrick Dillett, who previously worked with David Byrne, They Might Be Giants and Mary J. Blige, mixed the record."Emanuel and the Fear Artist Bio" Paper Garden Records The band's first full-length release received immediate acclaim, including favorable write-ups on Flavorpill, NME, Fearless Music, RCRD LBL, and Deli Magazine. The band was also included in The L Magazine's list of '8 NYC Bands You Need to Hear'"8 NYC Bands You Need to Hear" The L Magazine, April 29, 2009. To celebrate the release of their first record, the band played a sold-out show at Gramercy Theatre in New York City, accompanied by a 30-piece orchestra led by frontman Emanuel Ayvas.Garcia, Alfa. "Wood-Ridge Native Emanuel Ayvas goes Big with Unique Sound" NorthJersey.com, March 6, 2010. Following the success of the album release, the band toured throughout the US and Europe, including several sold-out shows in their hometown of New York.

After continued touring to support their first release, the band released Hands, in Summer 2011.Gutierrez, Mike. "Emanuel and the Fear - Hands EP" Drowned in Sound, January 30, 2012. The 5-track EP was released by Eat Fear Records (US) and Haldern Pop (Europe). The EP featured stand-out track 'Over and Over,' described as "a flurry of strings and syncopation [that] flourish into a melting pot of harmonica, guitar, and horns while Ayvas' cool voice rattles off prophetic word."Blum, Jordan. , June 3, 2011. The 405 issued a positive review of the band's second EP, declaring Hands is an EP which demonstrates musicianship at its best...a wonderful mixture of influences, added to its melodies and textures all add together to create a true good feeling within your heart. Fans of Ben Folds and Nils Lofgren especially should like and admire this record but it has the accessibility for just about anyone to jump in and enjoy – excuse the pun - over and over again."Bevan, Gavin. "Emanuel and the Fear - Hands (EP)" The 405 , February 1, 2012. In September 2011, the band played the End of the Road Festival in England, sharing a stage with prominent acts such as Joanna Newsom, Lykke Li and Beirut."Joanna Newsom, Best Coast, Lykke Li for End Of The Road Festival" NME, March 18, 2011.

In Summer 2012, Emanuel and the Fear played the Haldern Pop Festival, sharing a stage with such notable acts as Wilco, The War on Drugs, The Maccabees and fellow Brooklyn-natives Here We Go Magic."Haldern Pop 2012 Festival Line Up" Last.fm Fall 2012 saw the release of the band's second full-length record, The Janus Mirror, on Eat Fear Records (US) and Haldern Pop (Europe)."Emanuel And The Fear Announce New Album 'The Janus Mirror' Out Sept 21st 2012" ContactMusic.com Prior to the release, the band previewed new tracks on Break Thru Radio. , March 30, 2012. The band has stated the record is about 'change' and "...deals with the over-filled human experience in today's silicone world... [it's] our eyes, it is the point between the world outside and the world in our minds." After a sell-out record release party at Mercury Lounge in New York City,"Emanuel and the Fear Return With New Album, Video and Live Dates" Music Snobbery, September 24, 2012. the band headed overseas for another tour, including several stops in Germany.Ackermann, Lena. "Emanuel and the Fear Talk about their New Album 'The Janus Mirror'" Rolling Stone, August 28, 2012.

In June 2013, Emanuel and the Fear performed a session on Daytrotter where they played a collection of tracks from their previous releases."Emanuel and the Fear - Jun 17, 2013 - Studio Paradiso, San Francisco, CA" Daytrotter, June 17, 2013. In late Summer 2013, the band began work on their as-yet-to-be-titled fifth release. The record is due out in 2014."Emanuel and the Fear Return to Mercury; Plans New Release" The Deli Magazine, February 3, 2014. In December 2013, lead singer Emanuel Ayvas embarked on his first solo-tour throughout Europe and the UK."Emanuel and the Fear - Special Solo Performance - Die Bäckerei" ntry.at, December 19, 2013.

Reception

Earmilk described their sound as "an extraordinary orchestra-rock band that focuses on intertwining the modern day pop song with extravagant and complex composition. Drawing from romantic and modern composers like Beethoven, Rachmaninoff, and Glass; and then fusing in a modern rock sound like Arcade Fire, Bright Eyes, Daft Punk and Sufjan Stevens; Emanuel and the Fear displays a true understanding of sound all-the-while capturing audiences with their climactic electro/orchestral arrangements and quivering, poetic lyrics.""Emanuel and the Fear - The Rain Becomes the Clouds - Tour Dates" Earmilk, September 17, 2009. The band has said they are influenced by the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Igor Stravinsky. Village Voice has compared them to Arcade Fire and The Polyphonic Spree.Wood, Mikael. "Emanuel and the Fear" Village Voice, September 9, 2009. They have also been compared to ELO.Maida, Stephanie. "Emanuel and the Fear" Obscure Sound, May 31, 2011.

Band members

Formerly an elaborate 11-piece rock outfit, the band currently consists of six members.Quinlan, Adriane. "Think Big. Think Brooklyn" Paper Magazine, July 22, 2010.

Current

Emanuel Ayvas - vocals, keys, guitar, harmonica Jeff Gretz - drums Ben Backus - bass Nic Cowles - synth, flute Liz Hanley - violin, vocals Sarah Haines - viola, vocals

Former

Dallin Applebaum - vocals, synth Dan Tirer - guitar Tom Swafford - violin Brian Sanders - cello David Nelson - trombone Chris Coletti - trumpet Colin Dean - bass Gil Goldin - bass

Discography

Year Record Label 2009 Emanuel and the Fear EP Paper Garden Records 2009 The Perfect Me (single) covering Deerhoof 2010 Listen Paper Garden Records 2011 Hands (EP) Eat Fear Records (US), Haldern Pop (Europe/UK) 2012 The Janus Mirror Eat Fear Records (US), Haldern Pop (Europe/UK), Moorworks (Japan) 2016 Primitive Smile Listen Records

References

External links