Looking for some new tunes? Try The Empties.

| By Ella Coulter | February 28, 2022 |

Have you been looking for some new music to spice up your playlist? Look no further than The Empties, a band originating from Kingston and currently located in Hamilton. You may recognize Zeke Wilson (frontman), or Ethan Flanagan (lead guitar), KCVI alumni who started a duo after their graduation. Although Wilson was already making his own songs on SoundCloud in grade 11, the pair made a name for themselves when they got a coffee shop job on Wolfe Island. In true Kingston style, they’d take the ferry over to the island and busk on the streets throughout the summer. They did a lot of covers, but soon found that their original songs were so catchy that they had to get them down. Wilson & Flan started producing their own music at a friend’s cottage.

This past summer, the duo expanded to include Ben Hagedoorn (rhythm guitar), Liam Moore (keys), Nic Page (bass) and Noah Cummins (drums). They are now known as The Empties. When asked about the inspiration for their new name, Flanagan confesses that they selected the name from a list of options. However, Wilson says that the “sweet” band name suits their style. He and the group are excited to “make it [their] own” as they experiment to discover their new style and sound. Listeners may get a taste this spring, when they are hoping to release a new album.

The Empties have many different approaches to writing their music. When they worked as a pair, Wilson and Flanagan transitioned from performing to covers to writing their own songs. They emphasize the importance of trust, honesty and vulnerability in the songwriting process. To date, they have been deeply involved in writing five songs for The Empties. Wilson wrote some of the songs, which were adapted for the band. Flanagan and Hagedoorn also co-wrote a song, which Wilson helped revise and finish. The group is working towards a more collaborative process that includes all six artists once the newer band members get more comfortable. A signature trait of their music is the message. Although each song has a particular theme, the meaning varies from song to song. Often, the writers start out with a cool sound, and develop meaning later on. Their songs are often based on personal experiences.

Wilson and Flanagan recognize that it can be difficult to prioritize music within a busy lifestyle. As third- and fourth-year university students juggling relationships, jobs, music and more, they tend to focus on their music more in the spring and summer months. Although Wilson acknowledges that maintaining a balance can be overwhelming, he is sure that time management problems such as scheduling live shows and other music events are great problems to have coming out of the pandemic. He admits that he feels more productive when he is busy.

Wilson’s advice for aspiring musicians at KSS is to take chances and not worry about what others think. He knows that it can be difficult to navigate high school and scary to stand out, but strongly believes that taking risks to experiment with music can build important life skills. Flanagan tells all aspiring musicians to “get involved, [and] don’t be shy.” He says that the rewards far outweigh the risks, as becoming involved in the music community leads to lasting friendships and connections. “There are always more technically skilled people, [but] just doing it is what makes it cool,” he says. “Even if you feel like it’s too late to start, it’s never the case.”

Instagram: @theemptiesmusic

Spotify: Wilson & Flan

By Ella Coulter