Attic Empire

After touring extensively playing festivals and popular venues throughout California, Attic Empire went back to the studio in 2015 to create a high energy four-song EP entitled Astro Getaway. The end result was what they called “space funk”, “funk” because of the rhythm and vibes, and “space” because of the atmospheric sound that one wouldn’t hear with most funk bands. Tracks include “Between the Tides” featuring a blazing horn section with layered vocals and the catchy single “Astro Getaway”. “Flash” embodies Attic Empire’s full ska sound with traditional funk bass but yet atypical guitar riffs. The EP concludes with the beautifully poignant indie ballad “Hands Unto The Sun” which takes listeners on a sonic journey of sound. - Adequacy

Want a dose of indie space rock funk? Well, raise your hands to the sun, since you're getting it from Attic Empire. We are premiering their song "Hands Unto the Sun" from Astro Getaway, out now.

Who are Attic Empire? They are a dynamic, seven-piece, space funk musical collective from Los Angeles California that fuses ska, indie rock, soul, funk and jazz.

There is a lot going on, delightfully so.

Consisting of Tyler Connaghan (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Nick Aguilera (lead guitar), Brandon Shulkin (bass), Robert Conrad (drums), Gabe Joven (trumpet), Raymond Fong (trombone) and Mowi Debretsion (tenor saxophone, keyboards), the band was formed by the members while still in high school for the 2011 Battle of the Bands at House of Blues Hollywood.

They've been playing and making music since 2011!

"The song is about a friend who passed away," the band told us, offering some personal insight into the track. "He was the kind of guy who did things his way no matter what others thought. He lived his life to the fullest. It encompasses how death is one of the things we mourn, though it's something we know nothing about. The obscurity of the next life could be beyond anything we know, good or bad, and to live every day like it's your last (though it may sound cliche) is an idea that should resonate with everyone."

That's some pretty deep stuff. We mourn death, even though we have not experienced it and won't until we end up on the other side.

But overall, the person who inspired the song represents how we should all live our lives: to the fullest, without caring what others think. Amen to that.

With that in mind, crank the song and enjoy it! Put your "Hands Unto the Sun." - Artist Direct

In their bio, L.A.-based seven-piece band, Attic Empire, defines their evolving sound as being space funk. It’s a solid and honest description of their bold, unique sound, all highly evidenced on their first EP, Astro Getaway.

Inside the four-track effort is a swelling of otherworldly funk fusion collecting a constellation of West Coast soul, funk, Latin, ska and jazz. The blend sounds unusual, a world away from conventional radio, but they aren’t playing to that crowd. Only the title track rings with an accessible dose of melody fit for radio play, thanks in full to the calm tenor coming from lead vocalist of Tyler Connaghan. Still, even he riffs, leaps with falsetto and sings with the heart of a neo-jazz disciple.

The exploration into rhythmic and sophisticated contemporary jazz picks up on “Between the Tides.” The opening funky bars of the song ̶ owned entirely by the killer brass ̶ are repeated in many other places in the song. The musicianship here is so riveting that it merits the full attention of EWF and Steely Dan fans. On the cut, you almost wonder if you’re hearing a reprise of “Kid Charlemagne.”

Things slow down mildly on “Hands Unto the Sun,” but later pick up after the verses as the band shows off more of their super brass power. The astrophysics heard on Attic Empire’s pre-album slate might be a bit taxing for basic music junkies, but the organic soulfulness and spacey goo heard here is worth keeping both an eye and ear on. - Soul Tracks

LA based space-funk musical collective Attic Empire, have been blending ska, indie rock, soul, funk and jazz into sonic goodness. With a rhythm and horn section, the large ensemble packs serious talent, the guys have been busy working on their latest EP Astro Getaway, premiering exclusively on GroundSounds is the featured track “Between The Tides.”

Lead singer Tyler Connaghan had this to say about the single:

“The musical inspiration came from a sax player I saw in DTLA. I wanted to write something groovy and funky that gave off that “LA nightlife feel.”

The lyrics are very dreamlike as half of them are in first person and half are narrative style.. They talk about two lovers who are in a long distance relationship. It’s about them overcoming lust and loneliness as they are thousands of miles away from each other.” - Ground Sounds

Students danced and sang along with Attic Empire as they performed popular songs such as “Ignition” by R. Kelly, “Uptown Funk” by Bruno Mars and “Play That Funky Music” by Wild Cherry for Campus Activities Board’s Spring Break Take 2 March 24 in the Campus Center Ballroom.
“We enjoy that feeling when people are relaxing and just jamming out on their own,” said Raymond Fong, Attic Empire trombonist and Cal Poly freshman music performance major.
“We like interacting with the audience,” he said.
Attic Empire consists of seven members including lead singer Tyler Connaghan, lead guitarist Nick Aguilera, bassist and La Verne student Brandon Shulkin, drummer Robert Conrad, saxophone and keyboard player Mowi Debretsion, trumpet player Gabe Joven and Fong.
“It really inspires confidence when everyone’s having a good time and we just kind of lose ourselves in the songs were playing and everything just kind of locks in and it’s just a great time all around,” Conrad said.
Attic Empire is not just your average garage-playing band.
They perform on tours around the area and in other cities as well.
“We did a tour to Santa Barbara this past summer and we plan on doing another tour this summer,” Shulkin said.
The group has also performed at the House of Blues, Club Nokia and at other venues in and around the Hollywood area.
“I think the coolest thing is that one of the members of the band goes to La Verne,” said junior business major Wesly Tan.
“I think it’s really cool to see a fellow student be a part of a band like this,” he said.
The crowd was enthusiastic and lively as the group performed their set.
“My favorite part is playing music live and having people enjoy the music as much as I am,” Shulkin said. “We can vibe off the energy.”
The energy was palpable in the Campus Center while the students listened to the distinctive sound of Attic Empire.
“We play space funk,” Shulkin said. “It’s like alternative and progressive rock with a more funk-feel to it.”
Attic Empire’s “space funk” seemed to be a great hit with the students.
“I think they’re fantastic,” Tan said. “They’re very unique and incorporate funk into their music that works well.” - Campus Times

This Saturday, April 26, Burbank – based, 8 piece, alternative rock/funk/jazz band Attic Empire will be performing here at Backside Records. Attic Empire is an up and coming band that has played at almost every well established venue in Los Angeles. They have a great fan base and social media following that will definitely be in store to support their favorite band. Besides the in-store event, I had the opportunity to listen to their Self-Titled album. Wow, this band is awesome. My favorite track off of this album is ‘Everglades.’ From what I heard, I have a good feeling that this band will be successful and well known in the near future. - Backside Records