How to go
Who: Smile Empty Soul with Black Cloud Syndrome, Four Star Revival and Two Punch Gun
Where: Rockstar Pro Arena, 1106 E. Third St., Dayton
When: 7 p.m. Monday
Cost: $12 advance, $15 day of show
More info: www.rockstarprowrestling.com
Artist info: www.smileemptysoul.com
Like most rock acts fighting to survive in an uncertain musical climate, Smile Empty Soul has become a highly self-sufficient band of road warriors. The Los Angeles-based rockers have been touring steadily since its sixth album, “Chemicals,” was released on the group’s own label, Two Disciples Entertainment, in October.
It’s no surprise Smile Empty Soul was traveling last week when frontman Sean Danielsen checked in to discuss the current state of the band in advance of a concert at Rockstar Pro Arena in Dayton on Monday.
“We’re actually driving right now from Minot, N.D., where we played last night, to Moorhead, Minn.,” he said. “We’ve been touring pretty consistently since the album was released. We’ve done three or four full tours since then. We had at most a month off in between, so it has been pretty consistent. We go home for a break in July and then go back out for August and September. After that, we’ll just plan that as it comes.”
“Chemicals” has done well considering it’s the first Two Disciples release. The album’s first single, “False Alarm,” reached the mid-20s on Billboard’s Active Rock Chart, which is fairly high for a self-released project.
“We’re the only machine in this process, so even to get the song charting was definitely a good thing,” Danielsen said, “It’s worked out great, I mean, other than the whole industry being in the pooper. You’re not going to sell very many records these days, but the response has been terrific. The fans have nothing but positive things to say, and the people reviewing the album seem to really like it too. The shows have been good. We’ve just been out here doing our thing.”
Smile Empty Soul did hire a publicist and radio promotions team to help work the album, but much of the work is done by Danielsen (vocals, guitar) and bandmates Ryan Martin (bass) and Jake Kilmer (drums).
“As far as the label side, we did have backing, so we did put together a radio team and hire a publicist so we could run some marketing campaigns and what not,” Danielsen said. “On the road, it’s just us. The only way we’ve been able to continue doing it is just because we’re a small band. We’re a three-piece and we have a very minimal crew.
“We travel in a very efficient way and we all wear multiple hats,” he added. “We’ve cut out every other possible person that would be collecting and pretty much do everything ourselves.”
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