Be Empirical

Recap - first show of the year for Combine

2012-01-23T13:54:00.000-08:00

A brief video recap of Combine the Victorious's first show of 2012. Filmed live at LanaLou's in Vancouver, CV played a set of completely new songs, including debuting one brand new one: Smoke and Choke.

Combine's first show of 2012

2012-01-14T22:28:00.000-08:00

starting the year off with a pleasing bang, Combine the Victorious will be playing an all new set Saturday January 21st at LanaLou's. Co-hosting the night will be friends Black Betty (catch then while Jonas is still on drums!). Please join us at Vancouver's finest new saloon, LanaLou's. 362 Powell St. right by Oppenheimer Park. *thanks again to Rob Edmonds for another amazing poster! Here

Introducing Vince Tuckwood-Novelist

2011-12-12T15:46:00.000-08:00

Season's greetings to you! As we continue to expand our artists' collective, it is with pleasure we announce the inclusion of Vince Tuckwood to the Boutique Empire family. English born and bred, Vince is now living in Connecticut with his family where he has just completed his fourth novel, Escalation, "a fast-paced work of contemporary fiction, deeply rooted in the darkest of unintended

Many Gigs!

2011-11-24T17:00:00.000-08:00

It's a very busy weekend with all the groups involved in Boutique Empire. Tonight, Nov 24th, Combine the Victorious is performing their first show in 16 months at the Railway, opening for Magik Spells (from Calgary) and Nixie. Tomorrow night, Nov 25th, Guilty About Girls will be performing as part of the Telus Stage Grey Cup party (6PM) downtown Vancouver. Then in the evening of the 25th

"Dancefloor" Brand new from Guilty About Girls

2011-11-07T10:25:00.000-08:00

Guilty About Girls will be releasing their new single, "Dancefloor" on Friday Nov 11th, 2011, but you can hear it today, with a free download until the official release on iTunes. Listen now and please share it if you enjoy the song! <p>&lt;a href="http://guiltyaboutgirls.bandcamp.com/track/dancefloor"&gt;Dancefloor by Guilty About Girls&lt;/a&gt;</

Amazing Compilation out now!

2011-10-27T11:33:00.000-07:00

Combine the Victorious has contributed a song to a compilation whose proceeds go to help research in prostate cancer. There are actually 121 songs in this, with songs from Young Galaxy, Great Lake Swimmers, Dan Hill and literally over a hundred more! Right now it is priced at only $13.99 on the iTunes music store, so for the sheer number of songs it is an amazing deal, add in that the money

SWS & Isabelle Dunlop help Alzheimer's BC

2011-10-15T19:46:00.000-07:00

video courtesy of BKS Crew.

Vote for Sex With Strangers

2011-10-11T13:15:00.000-07:00

As we are nearing the end of the contest portion of The Peak Performance Project, we are asking everyone to help us win $100,000 by clicking on the following link and voting for Sex With Strangers. Vote in The Peak Performance Project

Fashion and Music for Memories

2011-10-05T13:25:00.000-07:00

Fashion and Music for Memories In proud support of Alzheimer's Society of BC, Wednesday October 12th Isabelle Dunlop will be holding a fashion show / pop up shop with very special musical guests Peak Performance Project finalists: Jasper Sloan Yip and Sex With Strangers at the Waldorf Hotel. Proceeds from the door shall all go towards Alzheimer Society British Columbia. Doors at 7PM special

Robert Edmonds "Voice Echo" Opening Party

2011-09-19T12:36:00.000-07:00

Our resident graphic artist-designer Robert Edmonds has a new opening this Wednesday at Walrus. A series of Limited Edition Letterpress prints. "Juxtaposing words within a singular quote from artists, authors, musicians, thinkers, to explore new meanings and sharpen the existing text by focusing the words." Please join us for the opening reception here at the store: Walrus 3408 Cambie

California by Combine the Victorious

2011-09-14T13:25:00.000-07:00

A silence of over a year is ended with the release of a new Combine the Victorious track: California (featuring the impressive vocals of Ingrid Schroeder). <p>&lt;a href="http://combinethevictorious.bandcamp.com/track/california-f-ingrid-schroeder"&gt;California (f.Ingrid Schroeder) by Combine the Victorious&lt;/a&gt;</p> This is the second time CV

inside Sex With Strangers

2011-09-07T19:08:00.000-07:00

Isabelle Dunlop has made a short clip reviewing the escapades Sex With Strangers had at The Peak Performance Project Bootcamp. Everyone involved has been extremely positive about the experience, from faculty through to this year's crop of exceptionally talented bands. The showcases should prove to be really fun to watch!

Sex With Strangers - Peak Performance video/Bootcamp

2011-08-29T10:57:00.000-07:00

Sex With Strangers have recreated themselves, this time as eight year olds! The following video was made as part of the 2011 Peak Performance Project, with the wonderfully talented and inspiring BKS Crew behind the camera once again. Filmed at The Peak 100.5 FM radio station and the Boutique Empire studio here in Vancouver, everyone wants to thank the kids, their parents, and especially Cory

New song from CV featuring Ingrid Schroeder

2011-08-18T10:51:00.000-07:00

While still a work in progress, here is a new song from Combine the Victorious: "California", featuring Ingrid Schroeder (UK) on guest vocals. This track will be the lead off single from the upcoming third release from CV, who are currently writing and recording songs in the studio. This also marks the second collaboration between the Vancouver duo and London recording artist Schroeder (who

Combine the Victorious helps fight Cancer

2011-08-13T10:50:00.000-07:00

Combine the Victorious is very pleased to announce that they have been asked to contribute a song to an upcoming compilation for the Canadian Cancer Society: AMAZING. A massive compilation featuring long established artists alongside brand new talent. Release date is Autumn 2011. Check out the list of acts, it's very impressive! Artists on AMAZING In other Combine news, they have begun work

Photos unveiled of Guilty About Girls live

2011-08-05T21:47:00.000-07:00

We recently discovered these lovely images of the past Guilty About Girls show in Vancouver at Venue. All courtesy of Venue. Robe - Backstage Rider next shows are August 11th at The Waldorf and August 21st at Live at Squamish.

New Painting series from Rob Edmonds

2011-08-02T10:27:00.000-07:00

Spent a lovely sunny BC Day afternoon with Robert Edmonds (the man behind all the images of Boutique Empire) yesterday, where he revealed his new series based on horse racing. There are currently three completed paintings with a forth on the easel and a fifth planned to round out the series. Below is a small image of one: There will be an exhibit in the autumn at Walrus (on Cambie at

Combine the Victorious offering free download of Disagreements EP

2011-07-21T12:09:00.000-07:00

As the writing continues on what will be their third release, Combine the Victorious is offering a name your price download of their second release, the Disagreements EP. This was their follow up to The World Over and was originally recorded and released in 2008. After taking the past year off to focus on their other bands (Isabelle sings with Sex With Strangers and Mark is the other half of

July Updates

2011-07-15T12:25:00.000-07:00

With the inclusion of Sex With Strangers in The Peak 100.5's Peak Performance Project, the electro-punk group is busy working on fulfilling requirements for the contest as well as honing their live show for the upcoming showcases. SWS will be playing shows in Alberta on the 21th thru 23rd of July. After nearly a year off from performing the duo Combine the Victorious has begun writing their

Sex With Strangers-Canada Day with The Peak!

2011-07-07T18:38:00.000-07:00

The members of Sex With Strangers make their debut appearance as part of the Peak 100.5's Canada Day celebration with The Peak Performance Project.

Sex With Strangers on Romplr

2011-06-27T09:52:00.000-07:00

Sex With Strangers have licensed their song New City Anthem to the Romplr.com application. Romplr is a remix app for the iPhone/iPad, allowing users to remix tracks and upload for contests on the site. Check the front page with it's announcement of New City Anthem's inclusion in the system as well as links to the original Video. http://www.romplr.com/ New City Anthem by Sex With Strangers

Ben Crea remix - Riviera

2011-06-19T21:28:00.000-07:00

Guilty About Girls has a new version of their latest song, Riviera, remixed by the Australian wunderkind Ben Crea. With strong nods towards Martin Rushent (famed for his work with The Human League amongst others) this version promises to turn heads and bring a sexy vibe to the dance floor. Guilty About Girls - Riviera (Kreap's mix) by KREA

Sex With Strangers part of Peak Performance Project

2011-06-05T11:42:00.000-07:00

Sex With Strangers have just been announced as part of The Peak 100.5FM 's Peak Performance Project 2011 edition. The band is very excited to be included in this highly popular contest, and looks forward to all aspect of the experience. Look for their song New City Anthem to be included in compilations and promotion surrounding this project.

New Single from Guilty About Girls

2011-05-30T17:22:00.000-07:00

A lovely laid back summer time song. Two versions currently available. Artist: Guilty About Girls Song Title: Riviera Release: BE11011 Or listen on bandcamp Guilty About Girls - Riviera (AM Mix) by guiltyaboutgirls

Video Premier from Sex With Strangers

2011-05-27T11:45:00.000-07:00

Brand new video from Sex With Strangers - Born Again Liars Social Club. Produced once again by the brilliant folks at BKS Crew, this is the first video from the new "Frontier Justice" album. Video produced by BKS Crew Productions. Directed/Shot/Edited by Brett Harvey. Producer Stephen Green. Production Assistant Jody Nelson Download link: iTunes Music Store

First big show of the Summer

2011-05-23T13:56:00.000-07:00

Guilty About Girls and Sex With Strangers have teamed up to put together their first big show of the summer. The Peak 100.5 FM & The Georgia Straight present: Guilty About Girls with guests Sex With Strangers and introducing Young Pacific Friday June 3rd at Venue (881 Granville Street, Vancouver, Canada) EARLY SHOW - doors 7PM It is s CD Release party for Guilty About Girls as their debut has

Born Again Liars Social Club - video shoot

2011-05-08T15:26:00.000-07:00

Sex With Strangers, under the expert production of the BKS Crew once again, has begun filming the video for their new song "Born Again Liars Social Club." While the ideas behind the video are not known the band has shared a few images on their Facebook page. check out the original song on the band's bandcamp page.

Guilty About Girls on CBC/ Sex With Strangers in Kamloops

2011-05-06T13:36:00.000-07:00

The Guilty About Girls song "Easy Satisfaction" closes out this week's CBC podcast by Grant Lawrence. Nice show, lot's of new songs and an article on booking shows. And Sex With Strangers' new album "Frontier Justice" is #3 on the college charts in Kamloops this week as well.

New Guilty About Girls song - Riviera

2011-04-25T23:33:00.000-07:00

Guilty About Girls - Riviera by guiltyaboutgirls

Guilty About Girls - Friday June 3rd

2011-04-24T12:52:00.000-07:00

Friday June 3rd - The Peak 100.5 and The Georgia Straight present: Guilty About Girls - performing their first headlining show at VENUE (881 Granville Street, Vancouver, Canada). Joining them on this auspicious occasion will be Sex With Strangers, hot on the heals of their brand new album Frontier Justice, along with the west coast pop of Young Pacific. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the

Sex With Strangers Georgia Straight Review

2011-04-15T11:44:00.000-07:00

Sex With Strangers unleashes a sweaty, hedonistic dance party By Alex Hudson, April 15, 2011 Tweet At the Biltmore on Thursday, April 14 (Rebecca Blissett photo) Sometime shortly after 12:30 a.m., Sex With Strangers frontman Hatch Benedict joked, “I’m looking forward to working tomorrow.” The irony of this statement was not lost on the undeniably-into-it audience. It may have been a

Isabelle Dunlop in The Vancouver Province

2011-04-12T15:09:00.000-07:00

Very nice from Susie Wall in today's Province. Tweet

Robert Edmonds hangs at Dunlop Pop Up

2011-04-10T14:30:00.000-07:00

A week in and the Isabelle Dunlop Pop Up Shop is in full swing. Her spring collection: dresses, sweaters, scarves, necklaces all on display (along with a selection of the Boutique Empire music library). On Saturday, the long appreciated and loved artist, Robert Edmonds, dropped off a brand new painting, which shows Isabelle as a young girl standing with her horse "Hamish." (detailed

The Designs of Isabelle Dunlop

2011-04-09T16:13:00.000-07:00

(close up of the wall on the way into the shop) On the Corner of Kingsway and 10th Ave E. Open 12-5 daily (except Monday) Tweet

The Cover Art of Robert Edmonds

2011-04-07T19:09:00.000-07:00

Isabelle Dunlop Pop Up Shop Now open

2011-04-07T11:37:00.000-07:00

The Isabelle Dunlop Pop Up Shop is now open. The clothes are on display, the scarves are adorning the windows and art is being hung on the walls. Located at the corner of 10th and Kingsway in the former Cantu building, open Tuesday thru Sunday 12-5 pm. Also available at the shop are cds from various Boutique Empire recording artists and tickets to the upcoming Sex With Strangers cd

SEX WITH STRANGERS CD Release party Annouced.

2011-04-03T17:29:00.000-07:00

(Robert Edmonds artwork & poster design) The Georgia Straight and CITR 101.9FM present: Sex With Strangers CD Release Party - Frontier JusticeApril 14th @ The Biltmore (19+) Sex With Strangers are celebrating their fourth album release, "Frontier Justice." The CD Release party is Thursday April 14th-2011 at The Biltmore Cabaret, Vancouver, Canada featuring guests Run With the Heard, Joyce

Isabelle Dunlop Pop Up Shop April 1-30

2011-04-03T12:42:00.000-07:00

Isabelle Dunlop (fashion designer and singer with three Boutique Empire projects) is pleased to announce she has a Pop Up Shop for the month of April. Located at 10th and Kingsway (the old Cantu building) Isabelle will be displaying her clothes and jewelry along with paintings from Robert Edmonds and Jordy Birch and making all the Boutique Empire music collection available for sale as well.

Sex With Strangers-Born Again Liars Club

2011-04-01T20:30:00.000-07:00

In advance of their new album Frontier Justice, Boutique Empire proudly presents the latest clip from Sex With Strangers "Born Again Liars Social Club". Filmed in Vancouver at live performances at The Cobalt and The Forum, the video is an advance peek at the new sound of the album. Cd release party is April 14th 2011 at The Biltmore Cabaret, Vancouver, Canada. special guests on the evening

Sex With Strangers CD Release Party-April 14th

2011-03-28T20:34:00.000-07:00

Celebrating their fourth album, Sex With Strangers are releasing "Frontier Justice" on Thursday April 14th at The Biltmore Cabaret. Guests include Run With The Heard, Joyce Collingwood, The Controlling Boyfriends and DJ Sets by Guilty About Girls.

SWS @ SXSW tonight!

2011-03-17T11:50:00.000-07:00

Sex Wth Strangers will be performing for their second time at SXSW tonight. Coinciding with the release of their new album Frontier Justice, the SWS have taken the full band, including keyboardist Luna - joining them out of town for the first time - to Austin and have spend the first few days taking in the sounds and people of the Texas city. 9PM TenOak- Austin Texas. Sex With Stranger's

Combine the Victorious vs. Jellyfish

2011-03-08T19:38:00.000-08:00

The latest video clip from Combine the Victorious juxtaposes found Jellyfish footage (courtesy of archives.org) with a fractal impression of their song Charmer, from the Disageements EP.

Sex With Strangers rehearsing for SXSW

2011-02-27T16:59:00.000-08:00

Sex With Strangers will be performing at this year's SXSW in Austin Texas. They are also on the verge of releasing their brand new album, Frontier Justice. So, even while the inimitable Hatch Benedict is away from Vancouver, the rest of Sex With Strangers got together today to teach new keyboard player Luna their songs. Below is a quick clip of them learning We Want the Fire - no lead

Ingrid Schroeder releases her new album: Love Runs Faster

2011-02-21T13:45:00.000-08:00

Though not officially a member of the Boutique Empire family, Ingrid Schroeder is a long time friend. We'd like to help announce the release of her new album, Love Runs Faster. A lovely down-tempo album filled with beautiful songs and an even more beautiful voice, Love Runs Faster offers ten brilliant songs that evoke the best of mid nineties trip hop and chillout. Her lyrics can be both

80's Camera's vs Guilty About Girls

2011-02-19T11:29:00.000-08:00

Mr Birch, of Guilty About Girls fame, located a very old, but still functioning VHS camera dating back to the mid eighties. With only the desire to experiment, he brought it to the studio where he and Mark attempted to use it. The following is the result of those efforts. Guilty About Girls - Polygraph Directed by J Birch, Edited by M Henning Download the song from:

Guilty About Girls recording new songs

2011-02-18T23:26:00.000-08:00

Guilty About Girls were joined by Lucas Poth (drummer on original EP1 recordings) today as they were in the studio recording new songs for their next release. Jordy Birch on cowbell. Guilty About Girls - in the studio from Boutique Empire on Vimeo.

Sex With Strangers Live at The Cobalt

2011-02-10T22:13:00.000-08:00

Recorded live at The Cobalt, Feb 5th 2011, Vancouver, BC.

CHARTAttack Review of The Very Best of...

2011-02-07T14:04:00.000-08:00

Guilty About Girls — The Very Best Of in Music Guilty About Girls Jordy Birch By Ian Gormely (CHARTattack) February 4, 2011 1:14 pm Music ReviewAlbum: The Very Best Of Label: Boutique Empire Rating: 4 / 5 Jordy Birch's nine lives continue with the emergence of Guilty About Girls, his

Sex With Strangers play The Cobalt Feb 5th

2011-02-01T10:53:00.000-08:00

Sex With Strangers perform songs off their upcoming fourth album "Frontier Justice" this Saturday at The Cobalt. Opening for Topless Gay Love Tekno Party with Panther and the Supafly Band opening. The Cobalt - 917Main St Vancouver. Robert Edmonds poster design.

Guilty About Girls plays First show of 2011

2011-02-01T10:50:00.000-08:00

This Thursday - Feb 3rd - Guilty About Girls joins Ryan Dahle at Venue here in Vancovuer with openers Red Vienna. Doors at 8PM Red Vienna at 9PM Guilty About Girls at 10PM Ryan Dahle at 11PM Venue is 881 Granville St, Vancouver.

Guilty About Girls makes CBC Best of 2010 list

2011-01-07T12:32:00.000-08:00

Grant Lawrence has chosen "Candy Candy" by Guilty About Girls as part of his Best of 2010 list on CBC Radio 3. Also on the list are New Pornographers, Bend Sinister, The Pack A.D., Young Galaxy and five others. All good company. Quite a nice honour. Check it out! CBC-Radio-3-Podcast-with-Grant-Lawrence/263---Best-of-2010

New Video "Candy Candy" by Guilty About Girls

2010-11-25T12:42:00.000-08:00

Boutique Empire is pleased to present the new, full length, storied version of Candy Candy. Video Written, directed and edited by Emma Higgins, Produced by Blair Brownlee for Digital Interference Productions Inc. Special Thanks to Hugh Ellenwood. Original song by Guilty About Girls off their digital album "The Very Best of..." (BE10008) Written by Jordy Birch, Produced by Guilty About Girls

Sex With Strangers has begun work on their fourth album

2010-11-17T09:32:00.000-08:00

Sex With Strangers is in pre-production on their fourth studio album - tentatively titled "Frontier Justice" - and will be heading into Greenhouse Studios this coming weekend to record bedtracks for said album. With Co-producer Mark R. Henning at the helm once again the band is pleased to announce that for the first time they will be putting live drummer Dallas Archangel to work, and the music

New video from Sex With Strangers- We Want the Fire

2010-11-08T12:48:00.000-08:00

Yes that's right, the wonderful people who brought you "New City Anthem" - BKS-Crew productions - have made a follow up to that video with the brand new Sex With Strangers' clip "We Want the Fire." Of great import we must add that the artist behind every Boutique Empire release, Mr. Robert Edmonds, has a starring role in this video. Not only is he acting as the "Creator" within the clip but he

Guilty About Girls "Emerging Artist" in Billboard

2010-09-30T15:27:00.000-07:00

New Releases for September 2010

2010-08-21T19:09:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to announce two new releases for September 2010. The first is the new Guilty About Girls album, The Very Best of..., and the second, the eponymous cd from Gilles Zolty. Guilty About Girls new album features their new single "Candy Candy" along with two other brand new tracks and four remastered favorites from their first two eps. Sept 7-2010 is the official release date for

Please by Combine the Victorious

2010-07-15T09:47:00.001-07:00

Please by Combine the Victorious

Alan Cross selects Candy Candy

2010-07-08T13:48:00.000-07:00

Alan Cross the man behind "Explore Music" and "The Ongoing History of New Music" has selected the Guilty About Girls song "Candy Candy" as one of the best of 2010 (so far). Explore Music

Guilty About Girls is charting

2010-07-02T12:48:00.000-07:00

"Candy Candy" is #23 on The Peak 100.5 FM here in Vancouver and has reached #53 on Modern Rock radio in Canada this week. If you're interested in seeing the band live, they have a show with Vir from San Francisco July 27th at The Railway Club.

Candy Candy added to The Peak

2010-06-03T23:41:00.000-07:00

Guilty About Girls new single, "Candy Candy" has been added to rotation on The Peak, 100.5 FM here in Vancouver. Sex With Strangers are performing in Toronto June 18th for their first NXNE appearance. Combine the Victorious just played Manitoba for the first time. Guilty About Girls next show is June 19th at the Railway Club, Vancouver.

Boutique People

2010-05-06T23:34:00.000-07:00

May is proving to be an exciting month. On Saturday, both Sex With Strangers and Guilty About Girls are playing in Seattle. On Monday Mark and Isabelle of Combine the Victorious are off to Las Vegas to double their wages and earn respect, while Robert Edmonds is off to New York City for research and reward. Ingrid Schroeder is currently reviewing the her new Edmonds' created artwork.

New Video from Guilty About Girls "Candy Candy"

2010-04-30T16:21:00.000-07:00

Produced by Boutique Empire Directed by Guilty About Girls Cinematography by Robert Edmonds Editing by Mark R Henning * special thanks to Dale Darlington for the use of his camera, and Isabelle Dunlop for her vocals and performance. Please download this single from: guiltyaboutgirls.bandcamp.com Candy Candy will also be available on the Boutique Empire:Rec'10 compilation.

Boutique Empire Recommends:Rec'10

2010-04-04T14:10:00.000-07:00

This is a compilation disc (without the disc). This is our first compilation, Boutique Empire:Rec'10. It consists of thirteen songs by ten different artists. Primarily focused on the Vancouver electronic scene and the bands of Boutique Empire, it features the latest singles from Guilty About Girls and Combine the Victorious as well as the newly remastered "New City Anthem" from Sex With

New Single from Guilty About Girls

2010-02-27T22:52:00.000-08:00

Here is the first single of 2010 from Guilty About Girls. Guilty About Girls is Jordy Birch and Mark R Henning working together once again after many years apart from their Pure days. Candy Candy by guiltyaboutgirls Artwork by Robert Edmonds. Produced and Guilty About Girls Engineered and Mixed by Mark R Henning

The Curious New World of Music

2010-01-18T19:23:00.000-08:00

So the old paradigm is dead. The music business is over. Labels are dinosaurs and it's all about the internet and live shows right? Probably, but is it better? From what I've seen over the past few years there is no clear cut path through the woods, no system in place to excel, and pretty much everybody has a different theory of how one should attempt to make a living from music. The only

Sex With Strangers featured on SXSW

2010-01-12T16:10:00.000-08:00

SWS @ SXSW Our intrepid Sex With Strangers is now a features showcasing act on the SXSW website. Austin is looking very friendly right now!

Grooveshark offers widgets.

2010-01-11T00:17:00.000-08:00

Canadian Olympics have Sex With Strangers

2009-12-27T20:16:00.000-08:00

That's right, the lovely folks at Guttersnipe managed to get a hold of some high quality Canadian Olympic swag and outfit the crew of Sex With Strangers with their finest. Check out the full story at guttersnipenews.com

New Year's Eve gig: Kick Out the Jams

2009-12-27T13:19:00.000-08:00

Combine the Victorious shall be performing on the change of the decade. December 31st at the Anza Club with Rat Silo, Northern Leadership, and Blind God. Tickets are $10 in advance and $20 at the door.

The Latest News from Sex With Strangers.

2009-12-09T16:55:00.000-08:00

Redirecting you to the Sex With Strangers myspace for their latest news, reviews, exposés, and iterations.

Sex With Strangers - New City Anthem Video

2009-11-24T14:27:00.000-08:00

It is complete! And it is great! The new video for Sex With Strangers' song New City Anthem is quite amazing. Please have a look: BKS-Crew-Productions and Boutique Empire present Sex With Strangers - New City Anthem. The first single from their brand new The Tokyo Steel album (Boutique Empire BE09005). Featuring Carol Yuen as "The Unreal" with cameos from members of: Adjective, Accost,

Rob Edmonds "Fragments in RPM"

2009-11-11T21:50:00.000-08:00

Robert Edmonds had another opening this past Sunday here in Vancouver. The man who is behind all the artwork of Boutique Empire created a series of prints that incorporated sections of his own past works (posters of shows that he designed) and placed them within a either a 12" or 7" vinyl impression. Titled "Fragments in RPM," the show was a hit and several pieces were sold immediately. If

The Tokyo Steel Cd Release Party!!

2009-10-26T13:28:00.000-07:00

The Tokyo Steel is launched! Great party this past weekend, fantastic crowd, great energy and the new songs came over really well. It was good to hear them live! The Glory Days crowd was incredibly receptive, enthusiastic and the dance floor was constantly packed! It was hard to tell who was having a better time, the band or the audience.Here's a few brilliant photos of the night, all

The Tokyo Steel is out Today

2009-10-21T02:26:00.000-07:00

Picking up the story where The Modern Seduction left off, Sex With Strangers and Boutique Empire are pleased to present The Tokyo Steel. Available today at the iTunes Music Store. Please check it out, we all think you'll love it. Cheers!!!

New City Anthem Video update

2009-10-10T11:09:00.001-07:00

So far there've been three nights of filming for the upcoming video of New City Anthem - first single from The Tokyo Steel. The house party scenes were a blast, over forty people showed up through out the evening and danced with the abandon only 216 cans of beer can provide. The BKS production team worked their respective asses off throughout that day as well as the following outdoor scenes

First single: New City Anthem

2009-10-05T19:22:00.000-07:00

Sex With Strangers new album The Tokyo Steel is set for release on October 20th 2009. The first single is New City AnthemListen now on last.fm:New City AnthemWe are currently shooting the video for this track, and expect to have it for it's world premier on Now 21st in time for the Sex With Strangers Now 21st show at The Media Club, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

New Sex With Strangers is here

2009-09-18T16:36:00.000-07:00

The Tokyo Steel is back from manufacturing and looks and sounds great. Robert Edmonds' artwork looks fantastic, I think everyone here is blown away with his interpretation of the music. A complete knockout. First up is the video shoot for the song "New City Anthem" - if you're curious please check it out right now on last.fmEveryone is incredibly excited about this new album, we all have very

The Tokyo Steel out October 20th 2009

2009-08-27T11:21:00.000-07:00

Yes that's right, the official release date for Sex With Strangers new album is October 20th 2009. Sex With Strangers presents: THE TOKYO STEELTrack order is;1] Tokyo Steel2] New City Anthem3] We Want the Fire4] Shibuya 10;13PM5] Sharpen the Knife6] Last of the Unreals7] The Dawn of Sexy8] Asakusa 12:13AM9] (The Part Where You) Surrender10] We Are the Ones11] Only Where Night Allows12] Shinagawa

First Anniversary Party- Result are in!

2009-08-10T18:17:00.000-07:00

Another brilliant night of music, comedy, dancing and well... more music! Lot's of drinking was had as well, judging from the crowd as they exited the Railway Club in the wee hours of Sunday morning. Our first anniversary was a success! We had a fantastic crowd, seemed as though everyone had a great time and both Combine the Victorious and Sex With Strangers played inspired sets.The evening

Tokyo Steel - story preview

2009-07-15T13:27:00.000-07:00

This is the unofficial story behind the upcoming Sex With Strangers "Tokyo Steel" full length. Please send all questions to Hatch Benedict over at: www.myspace.com/sexwithstrangers. The backstory: In this story, there are two generations of “The Unreals” that walk the streets of Tokyo. The first generation of these beautiful androids were developed to as an offering of sex, submission and

First Anniversary Party

2009-07-10T14:01:00.001-07:00

Boutique Empire is one year old. And to celebrate we've booked The Railway Club on August 8th to hold a party.The night shall feature our fearless and heroic Sex With Strangers as headlines and have Combine the Victorious opening. Friends in the sketch comedy troupe The Skinny shall make an appearance and then to rock out into the wee hours The Keeper shall come up from Seattle to join us.

Sex With Strangers Music Waste Performance

2009-06-15T23:16:00.000-07:00

After an incredibly fun evening performing as part of this year's Music Waste festival, we wanted to repost a few photos taken by the one and only Lindseysdiet photography. The night was a blast, the event organizers were great, the bands all played well and Sex With Strangers had a brilliant show! Sure the sound could have been a bit better but for a makeshift venue it had excellent atmosphere

internet radio

2009-06-05T10:06:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note that Combine the Victorious has just starting playing on Jango, as well as last.fm and iLike. Please check them out if you use any of those services. Guilty About Girls and Sex With Strangers soon to follow.Please follow this link to have a listen:Jango.com

Sex With Strangers on KEXP!

2009-04-24T03:50:00.000-07:00

This Saturday, April 26th, Sex With Strangers shall be recording a live performance on KEXP, Seattle, for their American radio debut. Please tune it locally or via the link on their site: KEXP.orgAlso, later that evening they'll be sharing the stage with their friends The Keeper on at the one and only Rendezvous, Belltown. Saturday April 26th, 2009. :D

April Events

2009-04-08T15:18:00.000-07:00

A couple fun things this month to note from our crew.Friday, April 17th, Combine the Victorious joins Danny Echo at the Backstage Lounge to perform songs from their latest ep Disagreements. Show opens with The Rights, Combine the Victorious is on about 10:30, Danny Echo about 11:30 and the night closes with The Control.Saturday, April 25th, Sex With Strangers is returning to Seattle to do an in

The Modern Seduction review in The Georgia Straight

2009-03-12T16:07:00.000-07:00

March 12-2009The Georgia StraightMUSICSex With Strangers offers dystopian thrillsLocal DiscsSex With StrangersThe Modern Seduction (Boutique Empire)The official word is that The Modern Seduction is a concept album that, according to Sex WIth Strangers, chronicles "a dystopian future where the free thinkers and libery-seeking rebels...are forced to take their 'live-forever lifestyle' to the

Artists are afraid of Peace

2009-03-05T13:39:00.000-08:00

"Artists are afraid of peace."At our/my heart we are afraid that without the chaos of war, inequality, famine and injustice we won't have enough impetus to continue to create. Perhaps the state of the world is due to the state of its artists: not the faceless multinational corporations that excuse bloodshed in order

Major Labels vs. Youtube

2009-02-14T12:48:00.000-08:00

So I just got a note from Jordy stating the Anna is a Speed Freak video has been removed from the Youtube site. Checking, it has indeed been taken down, with a message that reads "This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by WMG." (Warner Music Group). Kind of a shame really as the label hasn't done a thing for Pure in the past decade and

Robert Edmonds: Feathers In The Ashes.

2009-02-13T19:17:00.000-08:00

Robert Edmonds: Feathers In The Ashes.

Robert Edmonds: Juno Nominations

2009-02-03T19:53:00.000-08:00

Robert Edmonds: Juno Nominations

last.fm royaties

2009-01-30T12:56:00.000-08:00

Alright, the following may be either depressing or inspiring for our fellow recording artists. We, as in Boutique Empire, just received our royalties for the 4th quarter of radio play on the last.fm site. There were something like 2700 radio plays accumulated over the past few months and the royalties came in at $1.70. So while this represents a payout of approximately $0.0005 per play, you

Sex With Strangers review in Exclaim!

2009-01-28T13:14:00.000-08:00

Wednesday Jan 28th-2009:Canada's Exclaim! magazine has just reviewed Sex With Strangers The Modern Seduction album: proud to say it seems a very favourable article!It reads:RECENTLY REVIEWEDSex With StrangersThe Modern Seductionby Romina WendellA full-length follow-up to their debut EP, A Future Tragedy, The Modern Seduction is another dose of Sex With Strangers' raw new wave sound. Their

Disagreements Review: The Vancouver Province

2009-01-22T13:19:00.000-08:00

Tuesday January 2009: The Vancouver Province newspaper.Combine the VictoriousDisagreements(Boutique Empire)Combine the Victorious released one of the better locally made CDs on the past two years, being at once epic-scaled in a '70s vein and forward-thinking. The success of that album on iTunes has prompted the band to make this EP available only in the digital format. Disagreements might be an

Robert Edmonds: A Room Without A View

2009-01-21T13:53:00.000-08:00

Robert Edmonds: A Room Without A View

Sex With Strangers on the Radio!

2008-12-22T14:41:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas everyone, hope the season is treating you well!Sex With Strangers "The Modern Seduction" has been sneaking onto the Canadian airwaves all over our great nation. Currently they are:#1 Electronic album on The X 92.5FM Edmonton Top Ten Electronic Chart#6 on CKMS-100.3FM University of Waterloo Charts#12 on CIUT 85.9FM Toronto Charts#12 on CFBX 92.5FM Kamloops charts.If you're in the

Robert Edmonds: Last of '08 - First of '09

2008-12-17T13:01:00.000-08:00

Robert Edmonds: Last of '08 - First of '09

Robert Edmonds: Plastered On The Street

2008-12-08T15:31:00.000-08:00

Robert Edmonds: Plastered On The Street

Review: "Disagreements"

2008-12-08T14:18:00.001-08:00

Combine the Victorious has received their first review of the "Disagreements" ep in the Dec 2-17th issue of The Skinny Magazine.EP ReviewCombine the VictoriousDisagreements EP (Boutique Empire)by Nathan PikeIsabelle Dunlop and Mark Henning, partners in both music and life, bring you a second collection of Combine the Victorious songs, this time in the form of an EP titled Disagreements. While a

Robert Edmonds: Victoriously Guilty

2008-12-06T16:22:00.000-08:00

Robert Edmonds: Victoriously Guilty

About a Girl - the story of a theme song

2008-12-03T23:56:00.000-08:00

In the summer of 2007 we, as in Combine the Victorious, were one of two bands with a song being considered for the theme to a new television series called "About a Girl." It was pretty cool. The music supervisor told us that she'd pitched over 300 other songs first to the two networks before they found our song "Blue Kitchen." We never knew heard the other song that was under consideration,