Bret Empie once described his main musical objective as “A desire to synthesize the traditions of classical music and psychedelic Space Rock.”
Born in Washington DC, Bret began playing music in early childhood and participated in piano competitions in northern Maryland. He later studied piano with Malcolm Bilson at Cornell University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in both Physics and Music. Bret performed a renowned Forte piano and solo recital, his senior year.
Bret’s first stint with contemporary Alternative music came as keyboardist for a quirky, esoteric band called The Boggies.
In early 2000, Bret joined Xyra and Andrew Cann, along with his brother Doug to form
The LINE __.
The Empie Brothers collaborated with Xyra and Andrew Cann to write the song, ‘Only’.
In 2001, a CD demo version of ‘Only’ found its way to 'Talk of the Nation’ on Public Radio International (PRI), debuted by music critic, Mark Jenkins.
The song appears on the XYRA’ band’s 2005 CD, ‘Through the Dark Glass Shining’, for which Bret contributes MIDI, organ and harpsichord. In January 2005, Mark Jenkins reviewed the CD on National Public Radio (NPR) wherein ‘Only’ was again a featured track.
Bret collects and plays eclectic genres with a passion. His precise, yet innovative approach intrigues all privileged enough to listen. Currently, he lives in the country, where he alternates between his recently refurbished 1919 Steinway Grand and sundry electronic keyboards. That is, when he is not traveling widely, collecting experiences here and abroad!
Bret's 'More About...' section is pending.
History
Beautiful Noise
Verborgen
Xyra & Verborgen
The LINE
The XYRA Band
_nix "The Banished"?
CD's for Sale
Discography
Venues
Media
Doing Battle
Marco Delmar
Robert Goldstein
Member Bios
Xyra
Andrew Cann
Norm Thorne
Donald Stapleson
Eric Ulreich
Larry Lawrence
Fred Lieder
Robert Fogelmann
Edwin Cleverdon
Cris Cillura
Bret Empie
Doug Empie
Jeff Spencer
Dave Ray
Vince Calcaterra
Marc Collier