Contact: Sex & Rock 'n' Roll ATTN "Baby Bands" 9663 Santa Monica Blvd. No. 342 Beverly Hills, CA 90210 Baby Bands

JUSTIN LASSEN

These days, when I go to a record store, I'm not looking for the latest single from whatever manufactured pop star is currently gracing the billboard charts. When I browse through the shelves of music at my local music shop, I am looking for that proverbial next sound. Though his album has yet to be completed, I am willing to go all in and say straight up: Justin Lassen is what's next.

Imagine a finely tuned sound with hints of everything from Nine Inch Nails to Danny Elfman. Lassen, who hails from Phoenix, Arizona and performs under the name Empire of Modern Thought, also lists among his many influences BT, Aphex Twin, Studio Voodoo, the Dust Brothers, and Blue Man Group. Like most good musicians, Lassen's sound and style is not influenced only by other musicians; game designers American McGee and Dave Taylor have also had a big impact on Empire of Modern Thought.

Justin, who is a self-educated multi-instrumentalist, got his big break in 1999 remixing for Robert Miles. Since then Justin, under the EMT moniker and previously known as Digital Dirt Heads, has built a reputation as one of the industry's most talented remixers. He has completed groundbreaking remixes for Tweaker, star of the WB series "Roswell" Majandra Delfino, and fellow Baby Band Opiate for the Masses, among an impressive list of many others, and contributed tracks to Studio Voodoo's Club Voodoo DVD-A 5.1/6.1 surround album.

Lassen's recently completed "The Great Uprise Remix" for Nine Inch Nails' song "The Big Come Down" was universally praised by his contemporaries. Producer Dave Taylor called the remix "a comeback piece for NIN." He has also just completed a pair of remixes for Linkin Park, which were hits among the band's fans. Justin currently receives more remix requests than he can handle. But don't feel bad for him; Justin is in the enviable position of having a waiting list.

When remixing a song, Justin usually takes a different approach than most remixers. Justin looks each song as a starting point. Rather than merely using what's already there, Lassen likes to incorporate as much original EMT material into each remix as he can. He has been known to employ entire orchestras or choirs to record original content for his remixes. The result is a stunning, finely woven tapestry of sound. EMT remixes are more like original compositions than anything, yet they always manage to retain the essence of the original song.

Besides being an accomplished remixer, Justin has composed original soundtracks and done sound design for video games and films at companies including Carbon6 Entertainment, Kinotonik Pictures, Renegade Gods GmbH, and Novus Delta LLC. He is currently working on an unannounced massively multiplayer game title with Naked Sky Entertainment. "Working with [Justin] is such a treat because he is very creative, passionate, efficient, and professional. Plus, he has a great attitude! I feel very fortunate to have him on my team," says Naked Sky Project Director Tian Mu.

In September of this year Lassen released his dark chamber symphony, "And Now We See But Through A Glass Darkly." The seventeen track, thirty-five minute original composition was entirely written, performed, and arranged by Lassen. Sometimes eccentric, often unexpected, generally dark, and always brilliant, the classically inspired suite confirms Lassen's diverse talents as a composer. "And Now We See But Through A Glass Darkly" is available for free download from Justin's website for a limited time.

What does the future hold for Empire of Modern Thought and Justin Lassen? Undoubtedly more world class remixes and soundtracks, but Justin assures his fans that he is working on his debut solo album as well. Lassen's first album is on tap for sometime next year and is one of his top priorities. Also, look for Justin's work appearing on the new Ja Rule DVD set to drop in December.

When I go to a record store I'm looking for that new sound that will give me chills. Soon, when I go to the record store I'll be looking for the latest from Empire of Modern Thought. Keep your eyes and ears open because Justin Lassen is coming. Trust me, your stereo will thank you.

--Josh Catone