Life Is A Wave For The Empty Page

by | Apr 4, 2024

Following the release of their single Cock Of The Fifth Year, which dropped earlier this year, Manchester alt-punks The Empty Page have let loose the second taste from their forthcoming new album Imploding with razor-sharp new single, Life Is A Wave.

The Empty Page

The Empty Page
The Empty Page

Inspired by a more electronic/dance sound, Life Is A Wave sees The Empty Page veering off in a fresh direction, propelled by a New Order-esque rhythm, the song still swirls with the shimmering guitar and powerful, ethereal vocals that The Empty Page are renowned for.

“A few people I love have passed away over the past few years, often in really unexpected and seemingly unfair circumstances. I wrote Life Is A Wave in response to one of those losses,” explains singer Kel Page. “Its meaning is fairly straightforward, about how life is short, random, full of ups and downs and often ends when you least expect it to. It’s about holding those you love dear but trying to let the waves of life (and grief) flow over you because there is nothing you can do to change things. I played with the imagery of waves, lyrically, thinking about the waves on an ECG as well as the waves in the sea that can lift you aloft and crash you down.”

Filmed in one day and then edited in a single day by Ash Pears, the video for the new single perfectly emotes the song’s mood – check it out below:

It’s been a long time since uncompromising Manchester alt-punks The Empty Page first unfurled their debut album Unfolding back in 2016. It was never their intention to leave it that long, but founding member and original drummer Jim Cattell left the band during the recording process due to ill health, then there was the pandemic, then life stuff got in the way. Some one-off songs and seven-inch single releases kept the fire and desire to play burning, signalling the path to stunning new album ‘Imploding’, due for release on 10th May via the bands’ own Vociferous Records.

Drummer John Simm (who also serves as percussionist for Stockport indie band Blossoms) plays on the record and at current live shows alongside frontwoman Kel Page and guitarist Giz as The Empty Page prepare to enter their exciting next phase.

For Imploding the band worked with producer Morton Kong and for the first time found themselves with the luxury of not having to rush the recording process and took full advantage of the creative space, utilising the studios vintage gear and experimenting with sounds and fresh ideas (“we hit massive bells with hammers, dicked around with walkie-talkies, created elaborate bass feedback set ups,” laughs Kel) and generally pushed themselves and their music further than it has ever gone before.

“People often describe our sound as anxious, urgent, angular,” summarises Kel. “I think it’s all of those things because that’s what the inside of my brain looks like. But I think it’s lush and beautiful at times too. I hope people can hear the whole gamut of emotions in this record. It’s political, personal, passionate and, I hope, important.”

Upcoming live UK tour dates:

MAY
2nd Shakespeare’s, Sheffield
10th The Night Owl, London
16th Yes Basement, Manchester

JUNE
1st The Parish, Huddersfield
6th Right To Roam Festival, Bolton

Desperate Measures Bring Sublime Destruction To Islington

Hot Water Music @ Roundhouse (Nick Allan)

Hot Water Music Heat Up A Cold Evening At London’s Roundhouse

There are punk shows, and then there are Hot Water Music shows where sweat, heart, and community all melt together into something bigger than just a gig. When the Common Thread Tour rolled into London’s Roundhouse, it wasn’t just another date on the calendar; it felt like a celebration of everything punk rock stands for: passion, honesty, and a damn good sing-along.

The Kooks @ The O2 (Kalpesh Patel)

The Kooks Announce Huge UK Outdoor Shows For Summer 2026

British indie favourites The Kooks have announced a run of major outdoor concerts for summer 2026, celebrating the 20th anniversary of their era-defining debut album Inside In/Inside Out.

The four-date run will see the band take over some of the UK’s most scenic open-air venues, kicking off at Delamere Forest, Northwich on 17th June, before heading to Scarborough Open Air Theatre, Live at The Piece Hall, Halifax and Bristol Sounds at Canons Marsh Amphitheatre.

The Damned @ Alexandra Palace, 20/04/23, Rockshot Magazine, Pauline Di S.

The Damned Announce Emotional Tribute Album Not Like Everybody Else Honouring Founding Guitarist Brian James

British punk pioneers The Damned have announced details of their new album Not Like Everybody Else, a powerful collection of covers recorded in tribute to the band’s founding guitarist Brian James, who passed away in March 2025. The album is set for release on 23rd January 2026, marking both a poignant farewell and a full-circle moment for one of the most influential bands in punk history.

The Molotovs @ Electric Ballroom (Derek D'Souza)

The Molotovs Deliver Message Of Hope With Sold-Out Electric Ballroom Show

Rising British rock outfit The Molotovs took over Camden’s Electric Ballroom a sold-out show that cemented their reputation as one of the most exciting young live acts in the country. The gig came just days before the release of their new single Rhythm Of Yourself, out 31st October via Marshall Records, as the teenage sibling duo aim for a remarkable third consecutive UK No.1 physical single.

Courting @ Oslo, London (Charlie Harris)

Courting Share Deluxe Version Of Third Album ‘How To Thread The Needle And Come Out The Other Side To Tell The Story, Or: Lust For Life’

Liverpool four-piece Courting release the deluxe edition of their acclaimed album, How to Thread the Needle and Come Out the Other Side to Tell the Story, Or: ‘Lust for Life’, out now via Lower Third Recordings.

Henge performing at The Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea (Simon Reed)

Matthew C. Whitaker Unveils Dreamlike Solo Single ‘Lucid Dreamer’

Best known as the magnetic frontman, guitarist and songwriter for space-rave pioneers HENGE, Matthew C. Whitaker steps...
GUV (Victoria Prestes)

GUV Announces New Album ‘Warmer Than Gold’ – Out 30th January

Guitar pop visionary Ben Cook — formerly known as Young Guv — has announced his new album Warmer Than Gold, set for release on 30th January. The record marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Cook’s long-running project, now simply known as GUV, and arrives with the vibrant lead single Let Your Hands Go.

Sophie Grey (Maximilian Stafford)

Sophie Grey. Reimagines ‘Video Killed The Radio Star’ Ahead Of London Dates Supporting Sting

Rising electronic pop artist Sophie Grey. returns with a dazzling new take on Video Killed the Radio Star, reworking the Buggles’ 1979 classic into a lush, synth-driven dreamscape. The single — out now — arrives as Sophie prepares to open for Sting across three London shows later this month as part of her global Middle of October tour.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing