NEWS

September 30th- Be sure to grab a copy of the September/October HM magazine (available at Barnes and Noble, etc.) and flip to page 61 "Pick of the Litter: Indie Reviews" to read a blurb about Buxton. Thanks Doug and John!
September 18th-Hey everyone out there, we hope everybody survived Ike and had a good time reading by candlelight and cooking on propane burners. Wow, how dependent we've become on technology in just the last 100 years. We hope everybody is safe and are able to return to their normal lives quickly. Enjoy this time off the grid....

Just a reminder, we are still releasing the Wood and Felt and Convair 7" in October/November. We will be posting more concrete information on the release very soon.

Also, it seems the craziness of impending storms has distracted us from thanking everyone who came out to the Cactus Music MKE Showcase. It was a big treat to see all of your wonderful faces! A million times thank you.

Peace and Blessings.
August 19th- Saturday, September 6th, Cactus Music will host a showcase for "Houston's Record Label", Mia Kat Empire. The party starts at 1:00 pm, and will present a cross section of the diverse Houston music scene with performances by seven different bands from the eclectic Mia Kat Empire roster. The label that began 2 years ago with a passion for facilitating all too often overlooked local talent, has recently received the 2008 Houston Press Music Award for "Best Local Label". Be sure to catch great performances by Buxton, Hollywood Black, Gretchen Schmaltz, The Goods, Wood and Felt, Convair, and The Mayapples. Refreshments will be provided by St. Arnold Brewing Company. Be sure to stop by and be a part of the celebration of the Houston Music community! Also, tune in to KTRU 91.7 on September 2nd from 8-10 p.m. for live performances by several MKE bands.
August 1st- Wow, where to begin? Have you guys seen all of the press floating all around town about Buxton? You can't hardly visit a Houston music blog without hearing their name mentioned. They were 2008 Houston Press Music Award nominees for the three following categories. Best Local Album, Best Neo-Folk Act, and Jason Willis was nominated for Best Multi-instrumentalist. We are so proud of them. The music reviewers went nuts over their performance last Sun. at the Awards Showcase. Many comments like "best band there", or " best set of the night" were being used. The same then went for their set at the Mink during the Twotennany. The artist that Buxton chose to cover was Bjork! It's hard for Bjork to pull her songs off as beautifully as she does, however, Buxton has managed to not only do it, but do it with the same degree of beauty set to Alt-Country-Americana! Seriously check out coverage by Free Press, Houston Press, and all the other local bloggers and printers. Last night was the official Houston Press Music Awards ceremony. It was great to see all of the other talent out there in this city. It was a great experience! Mia Kat Empire walked away with the award for Best Local Label!!!! As the award was graciously accepted, I was trying to put into words how much it meant to me as well as all of our bands who make MKE what we are! Although the awesome metal-sculpture trophy sits in our Mia Kat office I would like to let our bands know that it was not Mia Kat who won. It was Buxton, Hollywood Black, Gretchen Schmaltz, The Mayapples, The Ride Home, Wood and Felt, Convair, The Goods, and The Faceless Orchestra who actually won. It was also our fans and show attenders! You guys are why we do what we do. Thank you all so much for believing in us and supporting what we do! Also thank you Ian Wells and Matt @ KTRU for spinning our music, you are truly awesome for all that you do for us and the whole Houston scene.
Also Quinn @ Cactus Music, you have helped us exponentially! Thanks for what you do for the local scene! Sorry this was so long:)

-Matt-MKE
July 30th- The Mia Kat Empire is expanding!!! No, not by the sword like other empires around the world, but by love and peace! For starters, we are now being distributed by our wonderful friends South Central Distribution. We do however need your help with this.

If you live in a town where you cannot readily buy MKE records, let us know your town/city and your favorite INDIE/MOM-AND-POP store, and we'll do our best to get the records in there! The second way Mia Kat is growing is by distributing new records on our website. We have so far picked up two records for distro. and should be adding them to our Katalog soon. The record we've picked up so far have been the self titled vintage-electro masterpiece from The Faceless Orchestra, originally released on Broken Levee Records. The other record is the awesome "Makin' the Sound' album by the ever awesome garage-neo-grunge-punk-blues rockers, The Goods!
We are also getting close to the release of our first ever vinyl! It will be a split 7" between Houston's finest post-rock-electro-shoegaze-droners, Wood and Felt and Convair.

Should be great!

The coolest way that the MKE family is growing, if you haven't heard yet, is the expected January arrival of little River Lee Ellis! We are so excited to welcome him into the world. He was seen last Saturday via ultrasound with his arm in the air, pointer and pinkie extended, (no kidding!) giving the "rock and roll!" sign. Maybe he enjoyed the high decibels of the Cornerstone Music Festival a few weeks back, or maybe he just takes after his old man! Either way, Amanda and I can't wait to meet him!
Things just keep getting better and better!!!

Matt-MKE
July 21st- Hey guys. Mia Kat Empire would like to thank all of our bands for making the cross country trip to Bushnell, Illinois to play this years Cornerstone music festival. A blast was truly had by all involved. We would also like to thank B for playing the festival and blowing all of our collective socks off! You guys were proof of the great things that are now beginning to take place in the slowly forming Texas music scene. Also our friends Dignan from Mcallen Tx. truly were a huge blessing to us all. It was good hanging out with everyone. Thank you's are also in order for Pastor Josh and all at the ever-awesome Anchor Fellowship in Nashville and Kevin Clay from the St. Louis based Monkofonic label. We made some great friends and had a great time!!! Can't wat until next year!
June 26th- Happy Birthday Matt Ellis, from everyone at Mia Kat Empire! Also, Happy Fourth Anniversary Ben (of Hollywood Black) and Katie!
June 24th- Check out the new interview with Hollywood Black on Houston Calling here. Dig it!

June 23rd- It is almost that time!! Saturday at Walter's on Washington Hollywood Black will be releasing their new EP, Crooked Shepherd, and boy does it rock! Be sure to show up to get your free copy, and also to check out openers Tambersauro and The Goods. This show is going to be goooood! Also, be sure to check out the review of the new album on Space City Rock here!

May 25th- Don't forget to pick up this months HM magazine, which features Gretchen Schmaltz in "the pick of the litter" section. Also, Hollywood Blacks new E.P., "Crooked Shepherd", will be released on June 28th (also the birthday of lead singer, Ben Ellis) at Walter's on Washington in the Heights. Go to our myspace to check out some of their new tunes! This will be followed shortly with an E.P. by Framework and a split 7" between Wood & Felt and Convair. Whew! We've been busy!

Also, if you would like to take a break from playing World of War Craft and detach yourself from the glowing box in front of you, and you feel like actually purchasing music in a tangible form from another breathing human being, then head on down to Sig's Lagoon , Sound Exchange or Cactus Music for some of that good ol' timey album buying! (Drop in and ask for our records.) Nothin' feels quite like it!

April 11th - Buxton has an interview in the latest issue of the Houston Press about their album, etc. You can read that here, or better yet, go pick up your very own copy.

April 9th - You can now add 89.7 KACU Abilene Public Radio to the list of radio stations playing sounds from Mia Kat Empire on a regular basis. (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.) Thanks Dave!
April 4th - Check out another great review of Buxton's "A Family Light" in the Houston Press. Thanks John Lomax!

March 12th - News Update: Buxton will be departing on their Texas tour soon, so be sure to try to catch them on their way through your home town! We are in the final stages of mixing the Framework EP, then it's on to mastering, so keep posted! Gretchen Schmaltz's "Laced Up Tightly" will be featured in HM's "Pick of the Litter" in the May/June issue! Be sure to pick one up when it comes out!

Feb. 28th- Hey fellars! Just wanted to let you know that Hollywood Black is currently in the studio working on their new EP, "The Crooked Shepherd". Look for this release on MKE, due out by summer!! Should rock your socks off.....

Also, Ben Ellis of Hollywood Black is currently working on a solo album under the name "Framework", to be released on MKE in the coming months. Keep checking back for updates!

Feb. 26th- We will be featured on KANM College Station Radio tonight at around 9:00. Tune in to hear a little about what all is happening with your favorite MKE Bands, as well as some great music!

Feb. 7th- Check out a review and pod-cast interview with Buxton in the Houston Chronicle, by non other than Sarah Cress! They are also the featured artist and have an interview and album review on Space City Rock. Check it out here!
Be sure to pick up a copy of February's Envy Magazine to read an interview and very kind article about Buxton's A Family Light!

Feb. 2nd- As most of you are aware, Mia Kat Empire is about a lot more than just serving as a record label. It is a group of people interested in trying to make a difference, and trying to help the under-dog.

I've recently become aware of the fact that Houston city employees are not currently paid a living wage. At the moment, Houston is working on the first-ever municipal contract in our state. If you share my concern about city workers and their families currently living below the poverty level, now is a good time to raise a voice. More information is available at http://www.houstonwehaveaproblem.com.

We also have postcards that are available to fill out for those who wish to get involved. We will be returning them to Mayor Bill White through the HOPE Campaign. If you would like one of these, please contact amanda@miakatempire.com or www.myspace.com/miakatempire.

"You are demanding that this city will respect the dignity of labor. So often we overlook the work and the significance of those who are not...in the so-called big jobs. But whenever you are engaged in work that serves humanity, it has dignity and it has worth." -Martin Luther King Jr. 1968

Jan. 21st- The CD Release show Saturday night was truly amazing!! Thanks to all who came out! All of the bands that played were phenomenal! Buxton was awesome as always; they proceeded to rock all of our faces off. Although it was a night to celebrate the release of their new record, what really made the show was all of you 'family' who attended. You are proof that the music scene here in Houston is viable and well worth all of the time and effort that every band, label, and promoter has put into it. So a BIG hearty THANKS and WELL DONE Houston, you truly give us all the reason to continue to do what we do.

Jan 19th- Check out this review and interview with Buxton, on their new album A FAMILY LIGHT - released TONIGHT! DONT MISS IT!!

Jan. 11th- The time is finally here!! Buxton's new album, A Family Light, will be released on Mia Kat Empire on Jan. 19th at Walter's on Washington!! We are all very excited! Upon admission you will get a copy of the new C.D along with a copy of Red Follows Red, their last album, as well as an unreleased ep. Thats a pretty great deal! Be sure not to miss it! AND, word on the street has it that the show is also being sponsored by SWEET LEAF TEA, soooo, there may be free tea for everyone who comes......I dunno, better check it out!

Also, be sure to tune in to 91.7 KTRU Rice College radio on Jan. 15th for a live performance and interview by the band!!

Dec. 31st- Hollywood Black's debut album, Two Thousand Years of Progress, was voted as one of the Top 10 Local Releases of 2007! Check it out here!! Also, Gretchen Schmaltz had several songs voted into "The Skyline 50: Our Favorite Songs of the Year; Part two. Check that out here!

Nov.26th- Thanks to all who attended the second annual Mia Kat showcase last night! It was great to see you all. Thank you for being a part of our lives for the last year. See you soon.

Nov. 23rd- Well, Thanksgiving is over and so begins the most wonderful time of the year! No...not Christmas.....the second annual Mia Kat Empire showcase!!! At Walter's on Washington, Nov. 25th. Please drop by and share this time with friends and family in the Houston music scene.

Nov. 4th- Hey guys.... thanks to all who came out to the MKE Halloween party! Good times were truly had by all. I think we successfully packed about 60 people into the MKE house, and it was all who came that made it such a great night! Also, check out the review of the Laced Up Tightly E.P. by Gretchen Schmaltz on Space City Rock.

Oct. 17th- Some exciting things to look forward to: Everyone mark you calendars because it is that time again......the 2nd annual MKE Showcase coming up on Nov. 25th at Walter's on Washington! This is being hosted by our good friends Waste No Buffalo Booking, check these guys out on our "Friends" page. We will be welcoming Hollywood Black home from their October tour, as well as celebrating with Buxton the completion of their new album on Mia Kat Empire! It is now in the mastering stages, so keep an ear open for the announcement of their release date in the near future.... and don't miss this show!!
Also, We will be having a Mia Kat stage at this summer's Cornerstone Music Festival in Bushnell, IL. These dates are June 30th-July 5th, for all of you who love road trips and want to come hang out with the Mia Kat family for a week, as well as see a bunch of other great bands! You will be hearing more about this as it approaches...

Oct. 16th- Hey everyone! Mia Kat Empire now has distribution through Interpunk.com!
Oct. 13th- The Ride Home will be playing tonight at Cornerstone in Baytown....it's going to be a great show so try to make it out!

Oct. 12th- Hey guys! Don't miss a great show tonight at The Proletariat (on Richmond Ave.) with Buxton and some other great artists!!! Show starts at 7pm!

Oct.5th- Listen to music by all Mia Kat artists on KANM radio! Make requests at 979.458.KANM (5266).

Oct. 2nd- Click here to read about the tour kick off show on Dryve Tyme Onlyne!

Sept. 30th- Thanks everyone for coming out to the tour kick off show! If you know anyone in any of the cities that Hollywood Black is playing, please drop them a line and let them know not to miss it! Also, Gretchen Schmaltz will be playing some shows along The Western Civilizations tour circuit, so try to catch those as well! In other news, we are just about done with the final mixes of Buxton's up and coming album, A Family Light! Be on the lookout for this record in the near future!!

Sept. 23rd- Check out great reviews of Hollywood Black and Buxton on Space City Rock HERE!

Sept. 20th- Check out the new interview for The Mayapples at www.theskyline.net!!!

Sept. 18th- Last Monday, Sept. 17th, the Hear Here show on KillRadio.org played both The Nautical Mile and Buxton on their online radio broadcast! Click here to check it out! Keep your ears on these guys for more MKE music in the future. Oh! And don't forget to mark the 25th and the 28th down in your schedules! (See Aug. 26th below)

Aug. 27th - For any austin-ites out there; our very own Gretchen Schmaltz will be playing on September 1st at The Clementine Bar in Austin, so if your in that area, don't miss this oppurtunity! Also, for those in Houston, on September 2, Buxton and Hollywood Black will be playing at the Proletariat! Check it out!

Aug. 26th - Some upcoming things to be on the lookout for: On September 7th MKE will be featured on KPFT, 90.1 radio for peace. We will be discussing the local houston music scene, exciting MKE happenings, and what it means to support local music and art. You will also be hearing music from all of our artists on that show. Also, on September 25th Hollywood Black and MKE will be on KTRU 91.7 Rice radio. It will be the local show from 7-10pm. Also, be sure to come to the Hollywood Black show at Walters on Washington on September 28th. This will be kicking off the bands October tour. Matt and Amanda (from MKE), with Hollywood Black, will also be briefly talking about this and other MKE business on the KTRU show. Definitely be sure to be tuned in for both of these radio shows! In other news, check out all of our album reviews at www.bigsmilemagazine.com!

Aug. 8th - Hello, I think it's high time that Houston bands quit fighting each other. My old band played a few battle of bands, but it never set right with me. Was this a scene or were these "friends" a stepping block for me to get some kind of prize by way of cash, recording time, or terrible predatory record deal? In a scene as fractured as Houston's I see no place for this kind of competition. Sure there is such a thing as healthy competition, but in this case there are corrupt powers that will be pulling strings to make the puppets fight tooth and nail until the last man standing can be signed only to be dropped later because of low sales. This is not what happened in D.C. in the eighties, or in Athens Ga. or in Seattle Wa. or Olympia WA. In these localities, scenes formed by bands, labels and fans coming together. It happened organically without hope for money or fame. When the bands would play people would support because they knew they had something special in their town. O.K. now I'm rambling. My point is we are in this together, and as such I think the idea of battling bands is foolish. We should be uniting after all there is strength in numbers. Every one who wants to see the scene flourish should go to local shows, buy local records, start local fanzines, post local blogs, start their own labels. AND HELP SUPPORT EACH OTHER!!!! We've got some amazing artists here let's do something about it. For more info read "Our Band Could be Your Life(scenes from the american indie underground 1981-91)', by Micheal Azzurad, and read the book or see the film "American Hardcore".
Aug. 5th - The Yale Street Arts Market last night was a huge success! It was a great chance to get out there and meet, greet, shake hands and sell some records. The Yale Street Arts Market is a local art festival on 19th street in the Houston Heights that takes place the first Saturday of every month. Thanks to David Moore, who's art is in our gallery section, for having us out to share his booth. You can also see his artwork at www.whoisdavidmoore.com. Check it out! Also, thanks to Hollywood Black for coming out to help us promote and visit with folks. A million thanks to all who dropped by our table to say hello.
July 29th - Hollywood Black will be playing with Murder by Death and the Paper Moons on August 1st @ Walter's on Washington. Go and support these three awesome bands this Wednesday night.

July 26th - Ben Ellis of Hollywood Black is currently working on a solo acoustic album! Keep checking back for updates!

July 26th - Hollywood Black is currently writing new material for a new record to be released sometime next year.

July 25th - Buxton is currently recording an album with Mia Kat Empire. Look for news of their upcoming release in the coming months. You can check out their Myspace to listen to a few of their fantastic songs. You can also check the shows page for updates on when and where they will be playing.

June 8th - Hollywood Black had an article in the Houston Chronicle this past month. Check it out HERE along with a podcast from the interview.
Hollywood Black has a small review in the current issue of HM Magazine this month as well. Go check it out. You can catch Hollywood Black at Super Happy Funland on May 15th.

March 30th - Look for an article about Hollywood Black in the May issue of HM Magazine! They have also been asked to play at Cornerstone this year! Congrats guys. More info on this later.

March 8th - Gretchen Schmaltz was interviewed by the Houston Chronicle this week. You can check out a podcast of the interview HERE if you did not get to pick up a copy of the paper.

March 2nd - Rhinestone Fargus will soon be playing shows regularly in Los Angeles, CA. Check our shows page or myspace.com/rhinestonefargus for updates.

Jan 29th - CD release show for Gretchen Schmaltz's new EP, Laced Up Tightly, is set for March 8th at Mojo Risin' Coffee House. There will be an cover which will get you in and get you a copy of the CD. CLICK HERE for a map. Also performing will be Mlee Marie and The Nautical Mile.

Jan 9th - Hollywood Black's CD release is set for February 3rd at Fuel in Humble, Tx. Also performing will be Buxton, The Ride Home, and Tambersauro (Esotype Records). The album will also be available on iTunes starting in March.