EXILE KINGS

DEBUT ALBUM IS OUT NOW

Exile Kings is a NYC based indie music project started by Manoo Halati. After a year playing around with some ideas for songs and putting his creative skill to the test, Manoo decided to quit his desk job in late 2008 to begin recording and playing music in earnest.

"I had turned into someone I didn't recognize and needed to make some changes. I decided to quit my job and take a couple months to regroup. It was during this time of quiet and introspection that I began connecting with music in ways I hadn't for years. The months I spent writing and recording this album were the first time I truly felt connected with myself."

Soon after leaving work Manoo hooked up with producer Craig Levy. Together they began laying down tracks at Craig's home studio in Brooklyn, NY and experimenting with song arrangements that are heavily laced with Manoo's interests in experimental, indie rock, and folk.

Somewhere along the line it became clear that they were making an album. Manoo came up with a name for the project that he thought encompassed the stories and energy found within each song and Exile Kings first album "Shine" was born.
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EXILE KINGS

DEBUT ALBUM IS OUT NOW

Exile Kings is a NYC based indie music project started by Manoo Halati. After a year playing around with some ideas for songs and putting his creative skill to the test, Manoo decided to quit his desk job in late 2008 to begin recording and playing music in earnest.

"I had turned into someone I didn't recognize and needed to make some changes. I decided to quit my job and take a couple months to regroup. It was during this time of quiet and introspection that I began connecting with music in ways I hadn't for years. The months I spent writing and recording this album were the first time I truly felt connected with myself."

Soon after leaving work Manoo hooked up with producer Craig Levy. Together they began laying down tracks at Craig's home studio in Brooklyn, NY and experimenting with song arrangements that are heavily laced with Manoo's interests in experimental, indie rock, and folk.

Somewhere along the line it became clear that they were making an album. Manoo came up with a name for the project that he thought encompassed the stories and energy found within each song and Exile Kings first album "Shine" was born.

Shine was recorded between Craig's home studio and Manoo's apartment in Manhattan. It is a richly textured album that combines alternative rock, layered guitars, and introspective lyrics.

At times the album explodes with energy and vibes similar to bands like the Verve, Doves and Coldplay ( e.g. shine, this is not enough, all that you are). There are other tracks on the album that are more introspective, complimented by Manoo's deep and often reverb-heavy voice, and deal with issues such as coming of age, disillusionment and broken love (when your broken down, dust in your eyes). At the album's core are strong melodies and powerful evocative rhythms.

"the songs deal with a lot of things that were building up inside me for sometime, but i didn’t have time to realize it, until I took time to slow down... the separation I had from myself, the humbling nature of having a child and feeling the years pass me by. There are also external things that resonated with me like the protest movement in Iran."

Exile Kings are currently setting up a calendar of live shows in venues in NYC. (-) collapse