Words and Photos by Amiyah Golden
A couple months back, I was enjoying a night that was filled with a variety of tunes under the Riverside Arts Market Bridge. As I watched the next group prepare for their set, the static flow of expectancy was instead disrupted by something rousing. What started off with a nod of slight hesitancy by the front-runner was instantly morphed into this electrifying assembly of assurance that was further exhilarated by the energy from the crowd.
The clicks of my camera shutter began to slow down, as I allowed myself to melt into this groovy sound, that was so unsuspecting yet fortified by their explicit display of talent. After all, I was at a punk show so to hear a perfect rendition of ‘Freaking Out the Neighborhood’ by Mac Demarco was riveting for me.
In front of me stood five friends who were jamming for the pure joy of it – as expressed through their exchanged smiles through the glow of the colored lights.
I vividly remember my friend and I establishing that we would become the founders of their fan club, as we were blown away by their talent. Our mouths stayed agape until they took their final pluck and the last echo of the snare resounded.
One of my favorite pastimes will always be stumbling across talent. Whether that’s through a friend, the fated fortune of a Spotify queue recommendation, or those evenings when expectations are foregone and you’re met with the privilege of a mind-blowing sound.
The entire night was filled with many talents, but I had to specifically know who this group was composed of (and how I could get an entire playlist filled with them playing live.)
As the night came to an end, I searched for the stars that had left their mark earlier on the concrete stage. I spotted one of the members amongst the crowd and I had to make sure I didn’t leave without hurling their praises. I was introduced to Sage who took our acclaim modestly (but if I had the ability to do half of what they did, I would be carrying a guitar everywhere I went just to bask in my own knack.)
They were an absolute gem and their energy was a reflection of something so self-effacing.
This was the commonality amongst the rest of the quintet, as a couple months later, I was able to finally meet the rest of the personalities that made up Empty Register. We sat down to discuss their origins, aspirations, and their sole – and collective – love for music.
I was welcomed into a cozy apartment that was being prepped for the nightly affairs of a celebratory performance for the recently graduated Sage.
I was formally introduced to the rest of the band: Hunter, Charlie, and Eli – with the exception of Justyn who unfortunately couldn’t make it – and two lovely cats who I now reserve as the unofficial mascots. Present was also Gabriel, who was tabbed as an honorary member.
Immediately, that seismic energy that flowed from the stage months prior saturated the room as this interview turned into a standard gathering among friends.
Amps and guitar cases filled the living room with anticipation as there was never a bad moment to jam; especially when fleeting moments lingered upon them, as this band wasn’t afforded the luxury of close-proximity. This fusion of music lovers couldn’t always be together, as distance and individual pursuits separated them often: Eli and Charlie both living in Gainesville for work, Justyn and Hunter in Tallahassee to further their education, and Sage as a new postgraduate residing in Jacksonville.
However, these miles that disjoined them physically had no effect on the sound or relationship they had constituted. Their idiomatic reverence for music, combined with their insane rhythmic abilities made the time apart bearable. Their collaborative playlists on Spotify and shared audio files also help to flesh out their ideas across the city lines.
This receptiveness is evident in their sound as they embrace the inclination to explore various genres. But this seems to have been instilled in them at a young age, as Hunter’s mom was the chorus teacher at the high school that Justyn and Sage both attended and his dad was a jazz musician growing up. Sage’s father also was intertwined in the music world as he formerly owned the recording studio, Vision Sound in Orange Park. Charlie’s initial introduction to music came in fifth grade as she began to play the piano and Eli picked up his first guitar in high school.
While they all have their preferred devices to use, they are all well-rounded in the capacity to interchange their roles. With Charlie, a.k.a “CharLEAD” being the lead guitarist, Eli on bass but also providing backing vocals when needed, Hunter with the rhythm guitar and also supplying vocals, Justyn on the drums and delivering the “best harmonies,” as cited by the band in his absence and Sage on the bass and the usual front-runner.
The communal virtuosity keeps their sound eccentric as they welcome suggestions and funky time signatures.
The prohibition of a tyrant helps breed joint creativity, as subjective preferences don’t subtract but add.
“If I was the dictator of sound…” Hunter chuckles off.
The room rings with laughter as they crack jokes as to what Empty Register would look like if solely run by him, as it would likely be nurtured under a more classic sound.
“I wouldn’t play in wacky ass time signatures if I was.” chimed Eli, who relished in the sounds of bands such as The National, The Smiths, and Blondie.
This ignited a conversation about musical predilection and influence:
Sage is heavily inspired by the indie-pop group, Alvvays while also having a high regard for the jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery; and Charlie’s fervor is rooted in bands with a grunge sound such as Covet, Hail the Sun, and their favorite band (ever), See You Space Cowboy.
The range they have is why it’s so hard to confine their sound to a rigid box.
“It’s not meant to be described,” said Sage.
“It’s like a water ripple,” backed Hunter.
And I have to agree with Hunter, as that’s the best way to describe the wave of sentiment I felt when I first heard them play; and as they pulled out their guitars again, that same feeling washed over me.
“I heard a quote one time,” said Sage. “If art is how we decorate space, music is how we decorate time.”
While this group of individuals have no current plans to capitalize off of their gifts, as they have real-life career goals – and a disdain for the record industry- it won’t stop their creativity as they plan to release more music in the near future.
Their incentives dwell in the freedom to create without limitations, share in giggles as Hunter does his arsenal of impressions, and vibe out within the presence of each other when time allows.
It doesn’t take away from the extreme talent that they possess – collectively and as one – and if they ever decided to pursue this full-time, they would have no problem succeeding (as Empty Register has my full support as the president of their fan club.)
To keep up with their new releases and shows you can follow them on the platforms below:
Instagram: @emptyregisterband
Spotify: Empty Register
Apple Music: Empty Register
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