The long versions:

"The temptations are all there right from the beginning of Everyone's Playing. Esque's 5-song EP kicks off with seductive reverb and a dynamic bass riff that dominate the entire record. The rhythm section represented here could easily compete with any other regional act in the genre. Bassist Basil Bayne could give more famous contemporaries, such as Interpol's Carlos D., a run for his major-label money. Following suit, singer Darren O'Brien croons somewhere between the realms of glam and goth, channeling the likes of Davids Bowie and Byrne. The fourth song on the record, "Hard Living," shows Esque writing its own version of Roxy Music's "Love is the Drug." The influences are certainly clear, but that doesn't take away from the impeccable execution. From the standout bass riff to the dazzling synth line, this track captures the compositional essence that made tracks like "Love is the Drug" so memorable. Esque then takes the familiar dance tune into newer and darker territory when a haunting, ghostly chorus bellows throughout the outro, creating an eerie atmosphere reminiscent of Radiohead's "Exit Music (For A Film)." Esque carries on, revealing its secret weapons in the final track, "The Escape Artist." The refreshing, lush piano introduction gives way to, yes, a post-punk dance beat, but it's just so darn delicious. The catchy refrain, with O'Brien's captivating delivery, has chart success written all over it. A delightfully surprising saxophone helps close out the record, which fades out too soon." -- PerformerMag.com

"Have you heard of these guys Esque, out of Memphis? The name is pronounced like the suffix, meaning "like" or "having the characteristics of." And what are they like? They're only like the best post-punk, New New Wave band we've heard in a long time is what. We've been listening to their 5-track EP Everyone's Playing, and there's not a track on it we don't love (although "The Escape Artist" is a particular favorite). It's super-fun, extremely danceable, totally tasty pop goodness, and we're not sure why it's not all over the radio right now." -- The Phillyist

"Esque is onto something here. All of the songs are strong in the way their parts work together and change without sounding too forced, yet the tension always remains. They have influences that guide their taste, but personal expression still comes through in the end. Smart ideas with lyrics, production, and musicianship make for a great band and a great record. With infectious hooks and clever word-play, Everyone's Playing is as solid a start as any band could ask, and it only touches on the possibilities for Esque if their sound matures into something completely their own." -- TJ Deeter, Localist

"Everyone's Playing possesses a power and maturity most new bands can only dream of. The focus of this material is squarely on melodicism, accentuated by a lush production touch awash in chorus, delay, and extremely wet reverb. Fortunately, Esque's songwriting capabilities prove just as impressive as their sound. If Everyone's Playing was the standard color by numbers Cure idol worship so prevalent in this form--and make no mistake, this disc will go over huge with fans of that band as well as disciples like Radio Berlin--there wouldn't really be much worth talking about here. Instead, Esque have managed to dig a little deeper for inspiration than most. This rooted depth combines with genuine and natural songsmithing skills to create a listening experience that's truly worthwhile. An impressive CD that becomes even more so when taking into account it's the band's recorded genesis--what a doozie of a start." -- Uncle Dan's House of Smut

"A dark and moody, far-too-short collection of '80s-influenced art rock. 'The Glorious Death of Me' is a grand four-minute drama with an overdriven chorus that will remind many of the Killers but mustn't be construed as a knockoff. 'The Lost Art of Suffering' is a terrific bit of New Wave Bowie with a haunting guitar riff. And on 'Hard Living' O'Brien puts Andy Summer's hanging chords from 'Driven to Tears' to startling new effect. Hopefully Everyone's Playing is just a taste of what's to come." -- Mark Jordan, Memphis Playbook

"An active rhythm section that knows its way around the dub- and funk-influenced side of the post-punk world. This is a band that luxuriates in its morosity, and with this water-bed rhythm section, it seems like a worthwhile gambit." -- Chris Herrington, Memphis Flyer

"The ONLY local band disc I have listened to in a long time that I enjoyed all the way through. Every song has merit, each has its own hooks and never gets tedious or 'artsy for arts sake.' -- Jerry Carter

"Up-and-coming art band." -- Chris Herrington, Memphis Flyer

"The next Augustine." -- Rachel Hurley

"Ha ha ha!" -- Jake Vest of Augustine

We are actively seeking a keyboard player/programmer/multi-instrumentalist in the New York area. Above all, we want someone with an intuitive feel for music who can write melodies and offer ideas to the mix. We could always tell you exactly what to play, but that wouldn't be very fun for either of us. Technical proficiency is not important, since we like one-finger melodies, but it wouldn't necessarily hurt, either, unless you try to write some Prokofiev concerto over every song. It'd also be nice if we got along. And though it's not mandatory, our dream candidate would have some knowledge of electronic programming and/or recording, some skill at guitar and/or any other instrument besides the ones we already play, and be able to sing harmony backups. We have plenty more songs besides the ones online that expand the recipe more and more, and we want someone who will be willing and able to help us get as out there as we feel like. If you or someone you know has any information regarding the whereabouts of this person, please let us know. Thank you.

-- Esque

You may have missed the schedule in your mad rush to read this new blog, but we about to embark on a decently sized tour.  Here's the now-complete schedule:

Jan. 10 - Little Rock: Whitewater Tavern w/High Tension House and Twin Pilot
Jan. 11 - Memphis: The Buccaneer w/Twin Pilot and Evil Wizard Eye & the Esque van christening party
Jan. 12 - Nashville: The Springwater w/Plex Plex, Mean Tambourines, and the Point Break
Jan. 13 - Atlanta: ISP Space w/Entertainment and the Feeding Fingers
Jan. 14 - Raleigh: King's Barcade w/Cities and the Shrink
Jan. 15 - DC: DC9 w/A Study In Her and Dawn of Man
Jan. 16 - Baltimore: Sidebar Tavern w/Middle Distance Runner and Skydivers
Jan. 17 - Philadelphia: Johnny Brenda's w/Gemini Wolf and Leopulde
Jan. 18 - Boston: P.A.'s Lounge w/Lovewhip and two more TBA
Jan. 19 - New York: The Knitting Factory Tap Room w/Rotary Downs and Amandla
Jan. 20 - Brooklyn: 3PM-->Pass Out Records w/Glow
Jan. 20 - Brooklyn: 10PM-->Tommy's Tavern w/First Twilight Congress

Come and say hi.  If you don't live in one of these cities, tell your sexy friends that do, and don't worry, we'll get to you.  Unless you live in Montana.  Probably not going there.

We've been given the Donahue treatment.  If you're familiar with the eccentricities of Donahue's work, I think you'll agree that we came off fairly unscathed.  Check it here:

http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/music/article/0,1426,MCA_505_5256365,00.html

You may have noticed that we have tour dates up.  Bulletins going up for all that soon.

Darren

   We'll take it!

I was on Pandora at work on Friday--it's a free, customizable internet radio site where you can create 100 stations based on particular songs or artists and they'll play songs that are musically similar, which you then rate with a thumb up or down--and made this station based on a lot of new electro stuff: Felix da Housecat, Adult., Drexciya, etc.  And all of a sudden "The Glorious Death of Me" comes on.  Apparently the Makeshift guys submitted the whole Makeshift 4 compilation, so we're in the database.  It is that mix we didn't like, but, hey.  You can create a whole station around us; I've done it, and it's pretty good, actually.  Check it.

Also, I've finally submitted the EP to XM Radio, so we should be on the XMU, Channel 43 playlist shortly.  More details as the emerge.

Darren

A couple big announcements:

1.) The EP is fully mixed and mastered, which means that the musical end is finally, finally finished, leaving just the artwork, which Bayne is working on right now, and the manufacture. We also finally have a t-shirt in the works, designed by Chase, so we're looking to do this for real starting very soon. Hopefully we can have these ready in time for...

2.) Our show at the Cooper Young Festival on the main stage at 2:15. I believe the main stage is right in front of the Deli, so we hope to enjoy a sizeable crowd sandwiched between Rev. Whalum and the Tunnel Clones.

3.) Tour in the works for January, we hope. No way to tell yet where we'll be going, but you'll hear it here first.

Darren

Blancmange sent us a message.  Said they liked us.  I think they might have sent the friend request; can't remember.  Pretty cool.

Darren

"Hard Living" is back.  Pretty much done, so this is the last of the songs with Harry.  Up next: "Glorious Death of Me" at Unclaimed, mastering, management, label, distribution, extensive touring, global domination.  No particular order.