Eden's Empire

Eden's Empire song "Angels of America" has been ranked one of the Top Ten Independent songs in Wisconsin on www.broadjam.com - www.Broadjam.com

"Intentionally or unintentionally, They’re providing a voice and
expressing the feelings of much of today’s youth." - Grind the Magazine

Eden’s Empire Dreams to Make Madison Music Capital of the Midwest

Mike Tecku sings like he’s got a time bomb strapped to his chest and only the unmasked energy and joy of making music can dismantle it.

His band Eden’s Empire roars like the sound of Jimi Hendrix strapped to the front of a runaway freight train with Dylan feeding the fire; but beyond the songs, this band is on a “build it and they will come” mission to make Madison the music capital of the Midwest.

Starting Friday, January 22, Eden’s Empire will be attempting to evolve the Madison music scene by hosting four nights of free music at the newly managed and renovated Pub on State Street with the some of the city’s best bands.

“My hope is to establish a regular night where people will just come out because they know every week there will be great local music. I wanna bring people together who love music. Music fans need this, musicians need this, and Madison needs this,” Tecku urges.

Each night will be kicked off with Eden’s Empire at 10 P.M. followed by one of four, award-winning headliners. Leading the way is Mike Droho and the Compass Rose on Friday, January 22nd, then Mark Croft on Friday, January 29th, The Lucas Cates Band on Friday, February 12th, and Gladstone on Saturday February 20th. If you haven’t had the chance, this is the perfect time to check out the new Pub on State St. Thanks to the new General Manager Marshal Gosmire’s it is now a clean, lively, hot spot with some very cheap drinks.

However, it’s no secret that Madison is not the epicenter of music in America, and it’s been awhile since the heyday of Garbage or The Steve Miller Band. Most people are quick to blame apathetic audiences, but Tecku disagrees.

“Madison could be better than Austin. We’re a compact city with culture, a huge college base to play for, a supportive press, great radio and venues, and a ton of talent. We’re just not organized yet.”

He believes if you can get musicians working together to organize great shows that the press and radio will want to be part of it . . . and people will come.

“We’re writing a story together - musicians, fans, and businesses. If we make something worth reading, one of us will pop up on the national radar, and the spotlight will find Madison. More bands will come, and we’ll have a thriving music scene, and, maybe, even a festival one day,” says Tecku.

Clearly, these are not modest ambitions, but, for Tecku and Eden’s Empire, it is less about the destination than it is about the path.

“This is it for me, I just want to play the best music I can and bring some hope to as many people as possible.” Tecku concludes.


Eden’s Empire www.edensempire.com
Mike Droho www.mikedroho.com
Mark Croft www.markcroftmusic.com
The Lucas Cates Band www.myspace.com/lucascates


The Pub on State Street.
552 State Street
Madison, WI 53703-1011
(608) 256-2464


- The Isthmus