MEETING BRANDY FOR THE FIRST TIME - by Richie (October 2008)

3 weeks ago, myself and Brandy met for the first time in person, when I visited her in the US. After having worked together as Empusa for almost the last 2 years, it was a meeting long overdue.

On my arrival at Detroit International airport, things immediately went accoring to Murphy's Law - Brandy wasn't there to meet me as planned because she was waiting at a different part of the airport, and after half an hour I started contemplating my fate, but one quick phone call and in minutes Brandy's cool black Saab pulled up at the entrance, resplendant with all it's Union Jack and Great Britain stickers.

Even though having known Brandy for the last 2 years online, I was still nervous as hell at this monumental encounter. What do you say to a person who you've written 40 songs with, released an album with, gained a certain level of success with, who you've vented with and supported through everything when times were hard? A person with whom a friendship has been forged in cement, set deeper than music itself, but yet never met face to face. I found myself lost for words. But I pulled myself together and summoned up a monumental "Hey guys, what's up?"


Straight-off I was treated like royalty throughout my 2 week stay in Michigan. I think people in the US are a lot more friendly and approachable than what people may think in Europe and other lands. It was service with a smile and a chat wherever I went, the party stores, the supermarkets, restaurants and gas stations. What I found remarkable were the sheer number of restaurants that line the streets and roads and admittedly, I myself have gained a good few pounds during my visit, partly due to Brandys excellent cooking skills and very much due to the abundance of restaurants. Definately a good reason to return to Michigan. But man, some-one needs to lend me an exercise bike right now...

I spent a lot of time with Brandy, just chilling out, drinking cocktails, doing corny stuff like visiting the zoo and meeting loads of new people. We spent quite a bit of time in the nearby town(city?), Lansing. Basically a college town, I thought I'd find it a bit seedy but it's a prospering and lively place with quality merchants. Found some very useful leatherwear and cyberpunk items in a Lansing mall. Stuff you'd see in a dodgy S&M website. No gasmasks though!

I think the highlight of my stay was the 2nd weekend, for a special meeting and a night of ebm with everybody. Frightdoll flew in from Florida to visit us. (In case you're not aware, we have worked on music projects with Frightdoll, including having one song (Unpreventable) released on the Machines Against Hunger compilation cd. That Saturday night we went to Detroits CityClub, an underground ebm club, where we were allowed access to the clubs party area and got some awesome VIP treatment, free jello shots and cocktails and loads of semi-naked goths and cyberpunks and really friendly girls ;)

We also used the opportunity to be able to finally take some photo shoots of Empusa, with both of us in the same pic this time

While I was there, Brandy and I did do some writing together, and we have initiated a few new songs, which will be appearing on Myspace in the near future.

The day I had to leave was a very surreal day for me, I just did not want to leave. The kindness, hospitality and friendship shown to me by Brandy and her family was not something I could easily walk away from. I boarded that aircraft with a heavy heart.

I'm now determined that I will shortly return to the US, and hopefully one day be able to live and work there, together with Brandy in person, to take Empusa to the next level, as a viable working band, doing what we love and feel is something special.

Thanks to everyone I met in Michigan for making it such a memorable visit, especially Frightdoll, Summer, Tony and Alan. You guys are all awesome!!

And thank you, Brandy, for everything. I'll see you soon.

Richie