Aussie Stars Find Instant Chemistry (Updated November 28, 2012)

Known as an utterly eccentric electro-glam-pop duo, Empire of the Sun consists of alt rocker Luke Steele and musician/producer Nick Littlemore. The two Aussies found instant chemistry after a chance meeting at a bar in 2000, and have collaborated on various projects for more than a decade.

First introduced by a music executive at a bar in Sydney, Steele and Littlemore first worked together in 2003 on the song "Tell the Girls I'm Not Hangin' Out," which appeared on Sleepy Jackson's 2003 debut album, "Lovers." At the time Steele fronted the alt rock band, while Littlemore worked with electronic act Pnau and was also a member of the rock band Teenager.

Once the pair came together as a duo, success was almost instantaneous. They consulted on material for a debut album over several months, then met in the studio to bring together the entire project. The end result was "Working on a Dream," released in October 2008. It debuted at number eight on the ARIA (Australian music) chart and pulled in generally favorable reviews from critics. The title track was also nominated for Song of the Year at the 2009 Australian Performing Rights Association awards, and the duo took home five of the six awards it was nominated for by ARIA.

In July 2011 it was announced Empire of the Sun was working on a sophomore album. The announcement came after a bizarre string of incidents in which Littlemore had been 'missing' for five months and media reports suggested the two artists had a falling out. Littlemore shot down the rumors and suggested his work with Cirque du Soleil had made it impossible for the duo to tour.

Steele and Littlemore are said to be working with Sydney-based musician Donnie Sloan on the upcoming album, but no other information has been made available.