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Emarosa ( ) is an American Rock music band formed in Lexington, Kentucky, in 2006. The band currently consists of lead guitarist and founding member ER White and lead vocalist Bradley Walden, who joined the band in 2013. The group has undergone several line-up changes throughout its career, with lead guitarist ER White being the sole remaining founding member. Originally oriented towards post-hardcore and alternative rock, Emarosa has gravitated towards a more pop rock sound in recent years.
Upon the band's formation, they released one extended play (EP) in 2007, titled This Is Your Way Out, and shortly after, the group underwent significant line-up and sound changes, dropping their metalcore influence and leaning towards a more Rock music sound. The band released their debut studio album, Relativity (2008), which featured vocalist Jonny Craig and rhythm guitarist Jonas Ladekjaer. Their eponymous second studio album was released in June 2010, to critical acclaim, and was Craig's final album with the group.
Following Craig's departure, the band toured briefly with Tilian Pearson filling in on vocals before entering a period of inactivity. Eventually, Craig was formally replaced by Walden. Emarosa then released their third studio album, Versus, on September 9, 2014, which peaked at No. 61 in the Billboard 200. The band signed to Hopeless Records and released their fourth and fifth studio albums, 131 (2016) and Peach Club (2019). The sixth, Sting, was released in January 2023 through Out of Line Music.
Shortly after the release of their debut EP, Chris Roetter and Madison Stolzer left the band. On November 19, 2007, Jonny Craig, former Dance Gavin Dance vocalist, was officially announced as the new vocalist. Jordan Stewart (keyboardist) and Lukas Koszewski (drummer) were interviewed in which they referred to the problems regarding Jonny Craig and the transitions: "In the beginning it was pretty intense. We would receive rather nasty comments and messages on Myspace asking what happened to Chris and why Jonny was no longer with Dance Gavin Dance. Sometimes when we play, kids will think it is funny to throw in remarks about the change and how they liked the old stuff better. The time between us realizing Chris wasn't working out to the time Jonny joined was extremely short. But even with Chris in the band, it was already decided that our full-length wouldn't have as much screaming. We just kept writing the way we had been before parting ways with Chris." Jonas Ladekjaer also joined the band as their new rhythm guitarist, forming their first solid line-up.
In Emarosa's latest and first video interview with Indiestar, Craig stated that "Set It Off Like Napalm" and "Pretend Release the Close" were "about the life Craig was having, his Dance Gavin Dance, and how much better he was feeling about being in this band Emarosa." They were written in one practice session and played live 2 days later. He also said that "Even Bad Men Love Their Mothers" was co-sang by his mother. Boyz II Men was also said to be one of Jonny Craig's main musical influences. Craig states that most of the instrumentals were already completed prior to joining Emarosa, in which Jordan Stewart (keyboardist) says five were completed, to be exact. Jerry Roush, formerly of Sky Eats Airplane and Of Mice & Men, makes an appearance stating he's the new screamer for Emarosa but is joking the entire interview.
Emarosa has been touring for the previous two years with such bands as; Fiora, Akissforjersey, Before Their Eyes, and The Wedding. Emarosa toured with A Skylit Drive, Sky Eats Airplane, and Breathe Carolina the entire month of July. They began another tour in Canada with Canadian headliners Dead and Divine for the month of August and played with Chiodos on August 30, 2008, as a special event in their hometown of Lexington, Kentucky. Emarosa was the headline for the "Rise Records Tour" the entire month of September and first week of October, with support from In Fear and Faith and Attack Attack!. They held their headlining, "The Delicious Tour" alongside Pierce the Veil and Breathe Carolina. Emarosa toured the United Kingdom alongside You Me at Six and The Spill Canvas from March 6 until March 13, 2009. A Day to Remember announced their latest US Tour (The Sweet Brag Tour) which included Emarosa along with metalcore bands The Devil Wears Prada and Sky Eats Airplane. The tour stretched from March 14 until May 1, 2009. June 19 – August 1, 2009, Emarosa headlined The Artery Foundation Across the Nation Tour supported by I See Stars, Our Last Night, In Fear and Faith, Burden of a Day, and Broadway.
The album was released on June 29, 2010, through Rise Records and received a good amount of praise. In an interview with Punktastic, the band spoke about the overall sound of this album. "I remember during the recording process, ER and I talked a lot about wanting to do more folk/indie stuff for the next record. Really bare bones, mellow and raw." Shrednews said "Emarosa have taken this album to a higher level, with more complex and animated guitar riffs, and pounding drum beats that you will make you headbang without even realizing it."
Craig stated that the band would be traveling to Portland after his solo tour to record a B-side for the self-titled album. He also stated that a version of "The Game Played Right" featuring Modsun would be released in.
While on tour, the band is known to occasionally play "Casablanca" with a guest vocalist. So far Cody Anderson (formerly of In Fear and Faith), Chris Roetter (of Like Moths to Flames, formerly Emarosa and Agraceful, who actually wrote the song), Austin Carlile, Jon Mess (of Dance Gavin Dance), Kyle Tamosaitis (formerly of Burden of a Day), Chris Moore, and Jerry Roush have performed this song alongside the band.
During the summer of 2010, Jonny Craig and Jon Mess both rejoined Dance Gavin Dance (of which they were original members). Although Craig had not announced his plans for his relationship with Emarosa, he concentrated on his work with Dance Gavin Dance whose new album Downtown Battle Mountain II was released March 8, 2011. In Craig's absence Emarosa picked up former Tides of Man touring vocalist, Tilian Pearson. On February 27, 2011, Alternative Press broke the news that Craig had turned himself into detox, stemming from reports of Twitter scams and from a longtime addiction.
On April 11, Alternative Press announced that Craig had been kicked out of Emarosa. The band stated that "as of today, Jonny Craig is no longer a member of Emarosa. This decision has been a hard one to make, but we feel it is in the best interest for the band going forward." Tilian Pearson, formerly of Tides of Man, filled in for Craig for 2011's remaining tour dates. According to an Alternative Press interview with the band, their ideal vocalist would not be like Craig tone wise. Stewart states "We're not looking for Jonny Craig 2.0. We just want to find someone who can bring something unique to the band."
On August 15, Emarosa stated that pre-production for their third studio album had begun and confirmed that the album had been tracked in December and would feature Letlive's vocalist Jason Aalon Butler as a guest vocalist on one of the tracks. It was rumored that Pearson had joined the band on a full-time basis, but was later discredited by Pearson himself. However, in December 2013, a demo song from their sessions with Tilian called "Supercow" was leaked on Tumblr and YouTube. Coincidentally, Tilian eventually replaced Craig in his former band, Dance Gavin Dance. On March 28, 2014, the band posted a new video that featured studio interviews and a new song preview, announcing that the new album would be titled Versus. On April 24, the band released the first single, "Mad". According to vocalist Bradley Walden, the album would be released on September 9, 2014.
Emarosa toured in support of Versus with Pvris, Beautiful Bodies and Too Close to Touch. A music video for the "I'll Just Wait" was released on September 18, 2014. On September 19, during an interview with Alternative Press, frontman Bradley Walden finally gave the statement of the departure of members Lukas Koszewski (drums, percussion) and Jonas Ladekjaer (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), with them saying that Koszewski left to pursue a modeling career and Ladekjaer left to go back to school. Walden indicated that there was no animosity between the band and its departing members.
In December 2015, the band's updated Facebook information showed its new member line-up featuring Matthew Marcellus who has toured with the band since 2014. Founding bassist, Will Sowers, left the band after accepting a job and returning to school. On January 19, 2016, Emarosa announced they had begun recording for their next album. They released their fourth studio album, 131, on July 8, 2016, through Hopeless Records. It was led by the single "Cloud 9", which was released on April 28, 2016.
On March 25, 2019, it was announced that Emarosa would embark on the third leg of 'The Midnight World Tour' alongside Set It Off, Broadside, and later Selfish Things. They toured across 25 cities in the United States between June and July 2019. On November 18, the band released the single "Ready to Love" and its corresponding music video.
On July 1, 2020, the band were reportedly dropped from their label, Hopeless Records, and by their management, Roc Nation, following allegations of sexual misconduct that surfaced against vocalist, Bradley Walden. On August 28, Walden denied the allegations made against him. On March 9, 2021, the band announced on social media that they are working on new material for their upcoming sixth studio album.
On April 27, 2022, the band released their first new single in nearly three years, "Preach", along with a music video. It was also revealed that the band had reverted to a duo, now consisting entirely of Walden and White. On July 6, the band unveiled a second single, "Attention". On September 15, the band released their third single of the year, "Stay", and its corresponding music video. At the same time, they officially announced that their sixth studio album, Sting, would be released on January 27, 2023, whilst also revealing the album cover and the track list. On November 11, two months before the album release, Emarosa released the fourth and final single "Again".
In May 2023, the band played an EU/UK tour including a performance at Slam Dunk festival. Video | Facebook In September–October 2023, Emarosa played "The Halloween Havoc" US Tour. 'The Halloween Havoc Tour' Featuring Emarosa, The Dangerous Summer, First And Forever, & Yunger - Roseville, CA - 9.28.23 - CaliberTV
In September–October 2024, the band toured "American Deja Vu Tour" celebrating a 10-year anniversary of their album Versus, supported by Val Astaire and Laur Elle. Video | Facebook
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On December 8, 2025, a third single, “Good Enough”, was released, and a new album High Horse Heaven was announced to be released on April 24, 2026. Emarosa announce new album "High Horse Heaven" for 2026 alongside new single "Good Enough" - Chaoszine
Former
Touring
Timeline
| 2008 | Relativity | Rise Records | 191 | 33 | 15 |
| 2010 | Emarosa | 69 | 9 | — | |
| 2014 | Versus | 61 | 15 | — | |
| 2016 | 131 | Hopeless Records | 132 | 7 | — |
| 2019 | Peach Club | 137 | 2 | — | |
| 2023 | Sting | Out of Line | — | — | — |
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