Emperor X brings his spontaneous mini spectacular singalongs to Bold Street Coffee, Getintothis’ Mike Doherty joins the chorus of approval.
Take a quick snoop around the online world of Emperor X, you’ll see he’s no stranger to intimate surroundings.
In one video, he’s surrounded by about 20 people in a tunnel singing the harmony to Bashling, in another he’s singing in an empty car park.
Even the promoters of tonight’s show got in on the act; a few hours before the show Deep Hedonia were rushing around the centre of Liverpool with Chad Matheny (the man behind the monkier of Emperor X) to film some spontaneous sessions before the night’s show.
Later at Bold Street Coffee, the intimate surroundings continue with an early performance from Sing For Your Supper, aka, Lucy Mercer, one third of Stealing Sheep.
Her quiet tones (sometimes barely whispered) stun this coffee shop in to deferential silence. Flashing Astraphes offers ambient drones and mumbled lyrics that are equally as compelling.
As for Emperor X, his set quickly begins as he uses the shop’s floor space to playfully dart towards the audience’ his microphone still picks up his voice and provides a perfect reverb.
His guitar is a curious hybrid, comprising of a 6-string body, a 12-string headstock with 9 strings attached. The top string is broken and hanging loose.
Emperor X live at Bold Street Coffee, Liverpool
Chad bashes out songs from his DIY back catalogue and choice cuts from his most recent album Western Teleport and on Erica Western Teleport he employs his favourite tactic; telling the audience how to sing along.
He’s like a more lo-fi Postal Service, or a more technically able Jonah Matranga; their sweet, personal and (good) emo lyrics. Sure, he’s not as well-known as Death Cab For Cutie or Far, but it should only be a matter of time.
Pictures by Conor McDonnell.
