Greg chats to Imperial April!
Christchurch band Imperial April called up on release day of their new song Try To Have Fun, talked about pies, Matts and gave us a virtual tour of the Christchurch Town Hall ahead of their appearance there at the Go Live Festival on August 17.
‘9:30′ by Imperial April Premieres on Radio Hauraki
Victoria caught up with Greg Prebble for Off The Record on Radio Hauraki. Listen back at the premiere of ‘9:30’, and their chat about the song, Go Live Festival, Jordan Luck, Emma Dilemma, and sharing the stage with stellar*
Everything is Okay by Imperial April takes the number one spot on the Te Ahi Top 10 on RDU
Sam Dunlay caught up with the band’s singer to talk about the song, the Christchurch music scene, songwriting and production processes and what’s coming up for Imperial April. Read the interview here.
REVIEWS
‘Imperial April’ Album Review by Amanda Mills
‘Imperial April’ is the self-titled debut album from the power-pop four-piece band from Ōtautahi Christchurch, fronted by vocalist and guitarist Victoria Knopp.
Imperial April have been steadily releasing singles since 2020, including a sweet, indie-pop cover of Victoria by The Dance Exponents, and a Christmas-themed EP.
‘Imperial April’ mostly leans towards bouncy ’90s alt/grunge-rock, while including many pop tones with glorious harmonies, twisty chord progressions, and in the case of Release Me disco-drum beats, shiny synths and a killer chorus hook. They get gritty too, and I Didn’t Go channels hard rock with a heavy riff and excellent intricate guitar solo.
The album takes a break from the higher-velocity approach with Boredom Pays and Baby Blue – the first a fuzzy, delicate ballad, the second a classic pop song with beautiful melodies, soaring vocals and cinematic backing. Both songs are picks for album highlight.
Thematically the album looks inward with lyrics indicating self-reflection, anxiety and fears, contrasting with the upbeat, bright music – listen to the chorus of opener Peachy to hear Knopp’s uplifting vocals taking it to another level.
As a musical entity Imperial April are incredibly tight, with great performances from all involved, as they anchor writer, producer and frontwoman Victoria Knopp’s versatile vocal work. With 12 enjoyable tracks ‘Imperial April’ is an accomplished album of strong songs, and a good length to showcase the band’s tonal range and style shifts. Hard to believe it’s their debut album.
Originally published on NZMusician.co.nz
Imperial April: Grunge-Pop Firestorm in Debut Album
Imperial April’s eponymous debut album detonates with the explosive fury of a grunge band that has smashed headlong into a sizzling romp with pop-punk, unleashing a melodic firestorm. Victoria Knopp’s vocals—equal parts gravel and smoldering allure—slice through the dueling guitars like a tempestuous siren unleashing her bewitching wail into the crashing storm.
This 12-track odyssey fearlessly navigates the raging waters of tension, release, and the unbreakable bonds of our shared humanity. The quartet stitches their own unique tapestry into the frayed threads left by icons like Garbage and Paramore, yet their sound crackles with gritty originality—songs steeped in angst and hard-won honesty rather than saccharine platitudes.
Andy Knopp nimbly layers searing lead guitar over scintillating keys while harmonizing to bolster Victoria’s soaring voice. Underneath, subtle swells from Matt Phimmavahn’s searching guitar build waves that crash over Paul Tatterson’s rolling thunder rhythms.
Each cathartic anthem lands like a confessional diary entry set to melody; every raw chord progression propels you inexorably toward release. “Imperial April” isn’t merely consumed—it’s felt, deep in your soul, as if your heart might thunder right out of your chest; an adrenaline-soaked reminder that even in life’s dissonant moments, a ravishing symphony awaits.
In essence, Imperial April unveils more than songs—it reveals emotional landscapes forged in the fire of shared grit. These are soul-stirring anthems destined to endure long after the final cymbal crash fades.
Review by Chris The Blogger for musicarenagh.com
‘Imperial April’ album review by Mike Mineo
A stirring blend of ’90s alt-rock nostalgia and modern sophistication compel throughout Imperial April‘s self-titled debut album. Hailing from Christchurch, New Zealand, the band impress with a wide range of successes, from the spacey synth-pop incorporations of “Release Me” to the upfront alt-rock fuzz of the opening “Peachy.”
Writer, producer, and frontwoman Victoria Knopp notes that the album was a long time in the making. “Versions of this album have been floating around on hard drives and CD-Rs for what feels like an eternity. It’s kind of hard to remember that putting my voice front and centre on anything felt so alien, but it was a huge mental hurdle.” The result feels seamlessly cohesive nonetheless, offering an abundance of melodic songwriting and a dynamic rock approach, succeeding in both breezier jangles like “Oh Denial” and anthemic stirrers in the vein of “Hurt or Bleeding.”
“Somedays I wonder why we try,” the vocals start on the aforementioned “Hurt of Bleeding,” a particularly catching demonstration of the band’s knack for hooky escalations and eclectic rock appeal. The jangly guitar lines drives into a gripping “hard to see,” vocal escalation, with a slight synth-laden effervescence guiding alongside spirited vocals lamenting a sinking ship.
Elsewhere, “Release Me” excels in its more synth-laden emphasis alongside crunchy guitars, while the emotive “Baby Blue” succeeds with a contemplative, folk-forward rock arsenal. Imperial April is a fantastic full-length debut from this talented New Zealand-based act.
Originally published on Obscure Sound
The Revue on Imperial April – “9:30” (Christchurch, New Zealand)
Those familiar with the New Zealand scene know that Victoria and Andy Knopp perform as The Response, and often the latter provides lead vocals. Victoria, meanwhile, has her “own project” – or at least one that she’s clearly the front-person. It is cleverly titled Imperial April, which offers all sorts of images. You might picture an Admiral leading an armada into a battle, a revolutionary leader, or a person ready to take on the world. All these images depict a confident individual who understands it’s her responsibility to take control of her life to effect change. This is what Victoria does on “9:30”.
This catchy guitar-pop tune is the perfect wake-up call, as it immediately gets the blood flowing and the synapses firing. As Andy’s guitar rings in the background and the rhythms bust a groove like a great Handsome Furs’ anthem, Victoria’s bubbly voice shines through. Her lyrics at first are full of doubt, as she openly admits she does not know what to do and is stuck in neutral. Eventually, she finds her footing with the help of a sympathetic ear. Isn’t that something or someone we all wish we had in our lives?
RIYL: Alex Lahey, Handsome Furs, Stars