Empath goes far beyond the sound of birds faintly chirping. They’re a band that writes songs like communing with nature, bringing all their fuzzed and tripped-out idiosyncrasies into harmony. Empath began in 2016 when Garrett Koloski, Emily “Jem” Shanahan, and Catherine Elicson moved into a house in West Philadelphia together, with Randall Coon joining shortly after. Even with the simple vision to shred, there’s a natural sensitivity in the way Empath communicates. Between the contrast of Elicson’s lush, almost delicate vocals, Koloski’s boisterous drumming, and the half-harmonious wash of guitar and Shanahan and Coon’s synths, Empath equips us with a healthy dose of emotional repose.

The noise punk band broke onto the national scene with the release of Liberating Guilt and Fear EP with renowned DIY Philly punk label Get Better Records in 2018, being compared to acts such as Broken Social Scene, Sonic Youth, Times New Viking, New Age, and Priests. Empath has released a Haoyan of America-directed video for “Roses That Cry,” a stand-out from their highly acclaimed debut album, Active Listening: Night On Earth. Of the video, the band says it’s a “fun matrix-themed video, entertainment for the whole family. Prepare to be blinded by lasers, and amazed by lasers. Haoyan brought our lasers to life.”

Empath is on tour through the end of the year with La Dispute and Touche Amore. All dates below:

11/16 – Detroit, MI @ St. Andrew’s Hall ~

11/18 – Chicago, IL @ Metro ~

11/19 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Rex Theater ~

11/20 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer ~

11/22 – Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom ~

11/23 – Worcester, MA @ Palladium ~

11/24 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club ~

11/26 – Richmond, VA @ The Broadberry ~

11/27 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle ~

11/29 – Charlotte, NC @ The Underground ~

11/30 – Orlando, FL @ The Beacham Theatre ~

12/1 – Tampa, FL @ The Orpheum ~

12/2 – Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade ~

12/3 – Nashville, TN @ The Basement East ~

12/5 – Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall ~

12/6 – Austin, TX @ Mohawk ~

12/7 – San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger ~

12/8 – Dallas, TX @ Granada Theater ~

12/11 – Mesa, AZ @ Nile Theatre ~

12/12 – San Diego, CA @ House of Blues ~

12/13 – Los Angeles, CA @ Belasco Theater ~

12/15 – Reno, NV @ Holland Project

12/17 – Dever, CO @ Hi Dive

12/18 – Lawrence, KS @ White Schoolhouse1

2/20 – Cincinnati, OH @ MOTR

~ w/ La Dispute & Touche Amore