Name: England in 1819
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Genre: Grandwave
RIYL: Sigur Ros, Beach House, Washed Out, Future Islands, M83
Members: Andrew Callaway (vocals, synth, keyboards), Dan Callaway (bass, french horn)

MUSIC

PRESS PHOTOS

BIOGRAPHY
England in 1819 is the collaborative project of brothers Andrew and Dan Callaway. Their unique ‘grandwave’ sound uses smooth vocals and soaring french horn as ethereal counterparts to thick synths and pounding beats. The electronics give the atmosphere an underlying pulse, forming danceable grooves that drive chilled airy textures.

Born in Athens, GA where their extended family remains firmly rooted, Andrew and Dan Callaway spent their childhood in the English countryside playing in rock bands with their father Liam, who taught overseas Air Force bands (and who was himself the son of a troubadour who performed throughout the post-WWII American South). Their interests and talents led them into the world of classical music, and the family moved back to the U.S. to take advantage of more educational opportunities, with Andrew studying composition and Dan studying french horn, both at conservatories in Ohio. After a few years of travel and exposure to a withering classical scene, the brothers returned to their roots, reuniting in the South and finding new life in the energy and creativity of indie rock.

The pair formed England in 1819 in Baton Rouge, expanded into a sprawling chamber pop ensemble and quickly attracted members until at one point the band numbered nine (including an oboe player and an opera singer). After exploring more orchestral and experimental sounds and recording a pair of albums, the brothers began gravitating toward their more electronic elements and streamlined their membership until they found themselves trimmed to the original pair of fraternal nomads. Sequestered in a North Carolina cabin during the summer of 2013, the brothers wrote and recorded their third full-length, Fireball Electric Tomorrow, a 14-track album featuring smooth vocals and soaring french horn as ethereal counterparts to thick synths and pounding beats, with danceable grooves building into driving rhythmic surges. The band put the finishing touches on the full-length in a studio in Spartanburg, SC, laying vocals and french horn tracks, and releasing the album last September. The Blue Indian called the album “very delicate at times and appropriately overwhelming at others.” Ryan’s Smashing Life praises the band’s “unusual combination of Southern edge and English introspection, with haunting lyrics and…a sweeping, evocative surge of sound…ethereal atmosphere [and] captivating melodies,” and Paste Magazine notes that “the songs are almost chilling in their emotional intensity.” The band explores and deepens this emotional intensity in their music videos, most notably in their video for “Trophy Sixty-One”, which has snowballed to over 100k views.

England in 1819 will be touring throughout the fall to promote their forthcoming follow-up, digital EP Summer Lightning, out in October. Select songs from Fireball Electric Tomorrow were re-tracked and re-mixed for the Summer Lightning EP by Derek Garten (Taylor Swift, Jewel) of Prime Recording in Nashville, who partnered with the band after seeing a live performance in Nashville, and mastered by Joseph M. Palmaccio at The Place…For Mastering, also in Nashville. The first single “Pine,” featured on Fearless Radio, is representative of the Baton Rouge brothers’ love for their city, starring regional symbols of confidence and pride, the LSU Tiger Girls and the drum major and members of Southern University’s marching band. The video was shot on location out on the levee, at Louisiana State University, Southern University, and The Runnels School, where the video’s central actors attended ninth-grade drama class and where Dan Callaway formerly taught music.

2014 PRESS

BUZZ

[England in 1819] deals heavily in atmosphere, employing a style that seems part Explosions in the Sky and part indie-film soundtrack…Add in the airy vocals and the heightened poetic nature of the lyrics and the songs are almost chilling in their emotional intensity. – Paste Magazine

Originally formed in Baton Rouge, LA, the fraternal duo that makes up England In 1819 have been weaving together their heavy, ambient style of chamber-pop and indie rock fusion since 2007…With their third album release, Fireball Electric Tomorrow, the band takes a much different direction than with their previous two albums. What was once a nine member band comprised of musicians ranging from an opera vocalist to an oboe player, has been pared down to just the two brothers supported by the an array of electronic instruments. What has not changed is the band’s sweeping, grand sound…[created by] Andrew’s signature operatic vocals over a blend of more pop-like synth combined with keys and Dan’s French horn to a dynamic effect…The brothers delivered a kind of serene complexity that comes across as very delicate at times and appropriately overwhelming at others. – The Blue Indian

Post-rock-tinged cinematic anthems…elegant compositions…powerful vocals. They also know their way around instrumental swells. – Pop Matters

So unbelievably awesome…an unusual combination of Southern edge and English introspection, with haunting lyrics and massive chamber rock unfurling in a sweeping, evocative surge of sound…poised to conquer with their impressive blend of ethereal atmosphere, captivating melodies and Brobdingnagian ending anthems. – Ryan’s Smashing Life

Ebbs and flows in the most beautiful way, gathering momentum while inspiring feelings of comfort. – Magnet Magazine

[England in 1819,] which started as a trio made up of a father and his two sons, has an indie folk sound driven by the band’s current Southern roots as well as the founding members’ upbringing in the countryside of England. – Aquarian Weekly

Named after the sonnet by romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, England in 1918 is the collaborative project of brothers Andrew and Dan Callaway and their father Liam. The latter honed his musical talents in the burgeoning Athens, Ga. New Wave scene of the late ’70s, and his father, William Callaway, toured the South as a musician during the post-WWII era…The brothers Callaway grew up in the English countryside, playing in weekend rock bands with their old man, who taught overseas Air Force bands, and that experience clearly tagged along with them back to the U.S. – Creative Loafing Charlotte

As England in 1819, the Callaways craft gorgeous dream-pop that seems to unfold in a space beyond time…equal parts haunting, atmospheric, nuanced and evocative. – Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Atmospheric in nature with songs swelling, cascading in a flurry of pummeling drum rolls, big guitar, pounding piano and French horn…Gorgeous sounding music that’s at times emotionally distant and at other points triumphant. – Sync Weekly (Little Rock, AR)

England in 1819 spent the summer isolated in a cabin in North Carolina, where they wrote and recorded Fireball Electric Tomorrow. What began as a 9 piece experimental/orchestral group (using drums, bass, guitar, piano, oboe, french horn and an opera singer) is now just a duo, brothers Andrew and Dan Callaway. For their latest album, the pair incorporate electronic drums and synths to create their unique ‘grandwave‘ sound. Holding on to their wide textural and dynamic range, airy delicate sections mix and meld with thick synths and pounding drums. The electronics give the atmosphere an underlying pulse, forming danceable grooves that build into driving, rhythmic surges. – The Art Mag (Charleston, SC)

The Callaways are classically trained and the band’s music has an epic, symphonic quality to it, but England in 1819 likes to keep it simple. With them, it’s all about well-crafted songs filled with equal parts moving melodies and hooks you can play hard with. – San Antonio Current

Like early new-wave or late-’70s electronica like Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark or Kraftwerk. “Himmel” features Andrew’s pure, angelic vocal supported by a simple drum machine and a cloud of retro synths. – The Absolute Magazine

Defined by haunting melodies and evocative surges of sound, they create a unique combination of Southern edge and English introspection. – RVA Playlist

With a heavier reliance on electro elements, pulsating synths and pounding electric beats, Fireball Electric Tomorrow is a large new step for England in 1819. – Dig Baton Rouge

England in 1819 is known for soaring choruses, operatic vocals and huge sounds. If ever someone needed music for climbing to the top of the mountain, this band has a soundtrack ready. “Pine” is a surprising turn with an oscillating bass line and sparkling keyboard tones. Toward the one-minute mark, you hear that big break the band is known for.
– 225 Magazine

A massive synth sound with vocal accompaniment…With this album, it seems as if the brothers have truly gotten to the root of who they really are as both musicians and people. Dan lends his hand by playing the French horn, among other instruments, and Andrew still performs vocals, but they’re much different than before, with a seemingly emotional quality. Even the album artwork beckons to where the Callaways came from, with a childhood picture accompanied by an English backdrop. – LSU Reveille

2014 FALL TOUR DATES
10/3/14: Atlanta – The Earl
10/4/14: Savannah – Hangfire
10/5/14: Charleston, SC – Royal American
10/6/14: Durham – Duke Coffeehouse
10/7/14: Greensboro – New York Pizza
10/8/14: Wilmington – Bottega Wine Bar
10/9/14: Charlotte – The Milestone

2014 WINTER TOUR DATES
1/19/14: Birmingham, AL – The Forge
1/20/14: Nashville, TN – Mercy Lounge
1/21/14: Nashville, TN – Music City Tippler’s
1/22/14: Oxford, MS – Proud Larry’s
1/23/14: Louisville, KY – The New Vintage
1/24/14: St. Louis, MO – Plush
1/25/14: Columbia, MO – Eastside Tavern
1/26/14: Kansas City, MO – Record Bar
1/27/14: Oklahoma City, OK – The Conservatory
1/28/14: Conway, AR – Bear’s Den Pizza
1/29/14: Little Rock, AR – Stickyz
1/30/14: Hot Springs, AR – Maxine’s
1/31/14: Shreveport, LA – Fatty Arbuckles
2/01/14: Denton, TX – House show
2/03/14: Austin, TX – Empire Control Room
2/04/14: San Marcos, TX – Triple Crown
2/05/14: San Antonio, TX – Limelight
2/07/14: Lake Charles, LA – Dharma
2/08/14: Lafayette, LA – Artmosphere
2/12/14: Pensacola, FL – The Handlebar
2/14/14: Tallahassee, FL – The Office Lounge
2/15/14: Jacksonville, FL – Burro Bar
2/16/14: Orlando, FL – Will’s Pub
2/18/14: Savannah, GA – Hangfire Bar
2/19/14: Charleston, SC – Tin Roof
2/20/14: Greenville, SC – The Radio Room
2/21/14: Macon, GA – Roasted Cafe & Lounge
2/22/14: Athens, GA – Flickre Theater & Bar
2/23/14: Carrollton, GA – Alley Cat
2/26/14: Memphis, TN – Hi Tone
2/28/14: Alexandria, LA – Finnegan’s Wake
3/01/14: Jackson, MS – TurnUp Studios
3/03/14: Knoxville, TN – The Well
3/04/14: Spartanburg, SC – Little River Roasting Coffee Bar
3/05/14: Charlotte, NC – The Milestone
3/06/14: Carrboro, NC – Southern Rail Station
3/07/14: Reidsville, NC – Brad & Tammy’s Listening Loft
3/08/14: Washington D.C. – DC9
3/09/14: New York City – Pianos
3/11/14: Richmond, VA – Gallery 5
3/12/14: Atlanta, GA – The Earl

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