Kalistan

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The Republic climbs back into Album Charts for first time in 15 years
Her Imperial Majesty invites band to Command Performance at Wilson Hill Amphitheater
Kaliburg, Grand Duchy of Ananto
January 18, 5587


The Republic hits Number 18 with new album of modern Jazz inflected R&B

The Band The Republic, the jazzy neo-soul duo from Luthori, who expatriated to Kalistan nearly 20 years ago have been quietly serving fans of the band's alternative/jazz/soul fusion album after luxurious album for two decades now.  20 years ago, The Republic's debut album New Soul for an Old World, broke out on the pop charts and hit number one on the Radio 1 Top 100 Albums poll.  In doing so they broke the back of Noise Alternative's grip on Kalistan's music scene, and ushered in a new era of sophistipop, what has quietly and classily dominated the airwaves since.  And they gained new fans, including Her Imperial Majesty, Carolina I Ananto, who has been a fan since she was still in the NSP as the Crown Princess.

Their latest album, Her Imperial Majesty, is explicitly dedicated to their most famous fan.  It continues their trajectory of very lush production, that draws back to an earlier era of soul.  They bring back synthesizers on their leadoff single, the upbeat, massive wall of sound "Only a Heart Beat Away," and show bring a sound that is both familiar to their earlier fan base, but also very new sounding, keeping fully up with modern trends.  The discerning listener will be able to pick out about 5000 tracks in each production piece, but the frequent switch between electronic and analog instrumentation is quite exciting, and keeps the perhaps overproduced album from sounding plastic and boring.

"We made this album with Her Imperial Majesty in mind, obviously," said singer and the band's lyricist Kathy White.  "The songs were not about her specifically, but the record is a theme album in a sense:  With each song, we tried to ascertain what kind of music the Empress might enjoy... Connor (Overstreet, the band's keyboardist, chief song writer and arranger) would play these melodies with these sweeping chord progressions, and you could tell, he was always asking, 'Do you think that a She would like this arrangement?' and the band and I always knew who 'she' was.  It was a very fun process."


The Republic's Kathy White (center) and Connor Overstreet (Right) meet with Her Imperial Majesty following the Command Performance in Kaliburg

The effort earned the band a Command Performance at Wilson Hill Amphitheater, the new live music venue built adjacent to the Royal Grounds in Wilson Park, for Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress Carolina I Ananto and 10,000 Kalistani music lovers.  The band played many of their hits as well as some of their newer music, including "Forget the Way I Feel," and finished the set with their first and most loved hit "Listen Baby."  The entire crowd provided The Veteran Sophisti-pop artists a standing ovation and demanded an encore, and the band retook the stage to play "Only a Heart Beat Away" with the full Kaliburg Gospel Choir and the Kaliburg Symphony Orchestra, who had been practicing with the band for a month prior to the performance.

Following the Command Performance, Her Imperial Majesty Empress Carolina I Ananto journeyed back stage to meet the band, who she first met at the first Annual ODEN Smoke Out in 5569.  The Empress and the members of the band have had several interactions over the years, as The Republic was always once of the Empress' favorite bands.  The Empress greeted Ms. White and Mr. Overstreet gracefully, a far cry from the infamous giggling fan behavior of their first meeting.  Her Imperial Majesty thanked the band for their many years of music, asked them both to autograph her copy of their record, and informed them that she intended to make them knights in the Order of the Grey Smoke for their Contributions to Kalistani Music and Culture.

"This was far more than we could ever have imagined," said Ms. White, who still retains a significant Luthorian Accent.  "When we moved to Kalistan, we only wanted to make records, and Kalistan's thriving music industry was obviously the best place for that.  We never dreamed that we would be Knighted for it."

"Indeed, this is quite amazing," said Mr. Overstreet.  "As artists, it is nice to be recognized.  But this recognition from the Empress, who has only ever been a friend to us and supported our band, it really leaves me speechless.  I suppose this album was dedicated to the correct lady after all."

"Of course, Connor has always called The Empress his Celebrity crush," said Ms. White.  "I let him have it.  We're too old a couple to fight over something stupid like that.  Plus, she's way out of his league, which is why he's stuck with a torch singer instead." 

The Record has entered the Top 20 Albums Chart, the band's first top 20 record since their sophomore album.

You can listen to it in its entirety right here and check out the video for "Only a Heart Beat Away" either on M7 of right here.

[Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6ydQvUozAA]
"Only a Heart Beat Away" from The Republic's new concept album Her Imperial Majesty