Empty Country

Empty Country is the project band created by Joseph D'Agostino, the lead singer/songwriter of Cymbals Eat Guitars. Empty Country became active in 2019 after Cymbals Eat Guitars disbanded in December 2017 after 10 years of activity. The band is based in Philadelphia, PA.

Empty Country was announced in 2019 as a solo project with the self-titled debut album Empty Country, released in 2020, featuring Cymbals Eat Guitars' drummer Anne Dole, her brother Patrick Dole as the bassist, Joe D'Agostino’s wife Rachel Browne from Field Mouse, Charles Bissell from The Wrens, Kyle Gilbride from Swearin', Zena Kay as steel guitarist, and more.

Even though the debut album Empty Country was finished by early 2019, the release of the full album was delayed significantly for several reasons. Empty Country was originally signed by the record label Tiny Engines, but after the controversy over breach of contract by the label with multiple bands reported to the public in November 2019, D'Agostino had to delay the release of their debut album Empty Country by 3 months. Empty Country is now signed under the label Get Better Records, known for supporting queer artists, run by members of Control Top, The HIRS Collective, and Potty Mouthwell.

However, their release of the debut album Empty Country coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, resulting in all tours being cancelled. During the pandemic, Joe D'Agostino released videos of live “quarantine” versions of five of their songs recorded at his home studio on YouTube.

The name Empty Country comes from the lyrics of “Wavelengths” from Cymbals Eat Guitars' second album Lenses Alien. It was suggested by Rachel Browne, Joe D'Agostino’s wife and frontman of the band Field Mouse.

Empty Country has been releasing songs of their upcoming album Empty Country II one by one, as of August 2023. It is produced by John Agnello, who also produced the album LOSE by Cymbals Eat Guitars released in 2014. Empty Country is consisted of four members: Joe D'Agostino, Anne Dole, Patrick Dole, and Rachel Browne. The album is set to be released on November 3rd, 2023.