A Silent Film

A Silent Film
Background information
Origin Oxford, England, UK
Genres Piano rock,[1] Alternative rock[2]
Years active 2005–present
Labels Creative Media Investments, Xtra Mile Recordings, Bieler Bros., Silent Songs
Members Robert Stevenson
Spencer Walker
Past members Karl Bareham
Lewis Jones
Ali Hussain

A Silent Film are an English alternative rock band[2] from Oxford. The band consists of Robert Stevenson (vocals/piano/guitar), and Spencer Walker (drums).[3] Their first album, The City That Sleeps, was released on 6 October 2008,[4][5] with one reviewer describing it as "a surefire winner".[6]

One critic has said that A Silent Film's style "distinctly echoes" Coldplay, Snow Patrol and The Killers.[7]

History

Formation and early years

The band formed in 2008. Three of the five members (Robert Stevenson, Spencer Walker, and Lewis Jones) had been members of another band named Shouting Myke,[8] which formed in early 2000. In 2005 two members (Benn Clarke and Steve Meyer-Rassow) left the band and were replaced by Ali Hussain, whose older brother is noted classical conductor Leo Hussain. The newly formed band chose the name 'A Silent Film' after the lead singer, Robert Stevenson, wrote a song using the melody from a song from a Charlie Chaplin film;[2] the band agreed they liked the style and chose the name as a reference to Charlie Chaplin's many silent films.

The band released their first single in 2007, an EP titled The Projectionist.[9] They performed on the BBC Introducing Stage at Glastonbury in 2007.[10]

The City That Sleeps

Main article: The City That Sleeps

The original UK version of the album, produced by Sam Williams,[3] contains 11 tracks, including the single "You Will Leave a Mark". This single was number one in the Sunday Times Culture magazine's 'Hottest Downloads' chart.[11] A reviewer compared the album to the music of Coldplay and described it as 'catchy and accessible.[5]

After the album's release the band toured the UK and then Portugal where they quickly became popular.[12] After a matter of weeks their song "You Will Leave a Mark" reached top of the Portuguese download singles charts, followed by the album soon after.[12]

The band have played and toured with OneRepublic, Scouting for Girls, The Smashing Pumpkins, The Temper Trap, Sleigh Bells, Biffy Clyro, Fitz & The Tantrums, Civil Twilight, Athlete[13] and Blue October.

The song "You Will Leave a Mark" was featured as an iTunes Discovery Download as has so far been downloaded over 110,000 times.[12]

In 2009, the song "You Will Leave a Mark" was nominated for the XFM New Music Award.[14]

In 2010 The City That Sleeps was re-released in the US with two alternate tracks,[12] "Driven By Their Beating Hearts" and "Firefly in My Window".

In 2010 the band's song "Aurora" was featured on Linkin Park's iTunes celebrity playlist podcast.[15]

"You Will Leave a Mark" topped numerous national radio most-requested playlists,[16] picking up first place at the Sirius Alt Nation awards for 'Best in Studio Performance' and ranked No. 4 for 'Song of the Year' behind only Mumford & Sons, The Black Keys, and Vampire Weekend.[17] The song also peaked at No. 38 on Billboard's Hot Modern Rock Tracks.[18]

The band successfully performed to a capacity room at SXSW in March 2011.[19]

Multiple syncs on MTV's The Hills,[20] The Hard Times of R J Berger,[21] Investigation Discovery[22] and an appearance on the Rockband video game[23] have all helped raise the awareness of the band in the United States.

Sand and Snow

Main article: Sand & Snow

A Silent Film released their album Sand & Snow on June 5, 2012. The self-produced album contains 11 tracks, with 3 additional songs on the bonus edition. It has been praised for its musical depth and creativity and has a notably stronger electronic influence than their first album. [24]

The album produced two hit singles, “Danny, Dakota, and The Wishing Well” and “Harbour Lights.” [25]

Following Sand & Snow's release, the band announced their appearance at Firefly Music Festival in Delaware alongside Red Hot Chili Peppers, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Foster The People, Vampire Weekend, and many more.

The album peaked at No. 38 on the Top Heatseekers chart in 2013. [26]

New Year

On April 21, 2015, A Silent Film released their 5-track EP New Year. The EP was self-produced, in collaboration with Matt Wilcox, and was mixed by The City that Sleeps producer Sam Williams.

After the release, the band started their Secret Rooms tour, giving 12 intimate performances in the biggest cities across America. The tour completely sold out.

Recorded in a rustic studio on a pecan farm just outside El Paso Texas, the new EP from A Silent Film, New Year, expands on the cinematic alternative rock of 2012's Sand & Snow and 2010's The City that Sleeps.

"Tomorrow" has been praised for its strong storytelling quality, depth, and power.[27]

A Silent Film

A Silent Film announced their return on October 16 with the follow up to the critically acclaimed Sand & Snow: the new full-length studio album A Silent Film. The highly anticipated eponymous album will be released on A Silent Film’s own label, Silent Songs. Produced by the band’s Robert Stevenson and Spencer Walker, with assistance from Matthew Wilcox (Foster the People, Bethel Music), the 11-track album was recorded in A Silent Film’s hometown of Oxford, UK over a five-week period.

Touring

In conjunction with the release of their new EP, New Year, the band created a once-in-a-lifetime experience for their most dedicated fans. Secret Rooms in 12 super-intimate performances in non-traditional venues throughout the U.S., revealed to ticket buyers just days before each show. Using only production elements designed and hand-crafted by the band themselves, A Silent Film transformed unique spaces such as a historic recording studio, an abandoned warehouse, and even an old silent movie production studio, into unique, in-the-round concert venues. With only 50 guests each night, the band was within arms-reach of every audience member, allowing for a level of intimacy and interaction between band and fan that no one present had ever experienced. The entire tour was documented by noted videographer Luca Venter and videos of the performances are being posted throughout July for those who couldn’t attend to experience.

Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details
The City That Sleeps
  • Released: October 2008 (UK), November 2010 (US re-release)
  • Label: Xtra Mile Recordings (UK), Bieler Bros. (US re-release)
  • Formats: CD, Digital download
Sand & Snow
  • Released: 5 June 2012
  • Label: Creative Media Investments LLC (CMI).
  • Formats: CD, Digital download
A Silent Film

EPs/Singles

Title Album details
The Projectionist (EP)
  • Released: July 2007
  • Label: Xtra Mile Recordings
  • Formats: CD, EP
You Will Leave a Mark
  • Released: 2008
  • Label: Xtra Mile Recordings
  • Formats: CD
Tomorrow (Single)
New Year (EP)
Lightning Strike (Single)

References

  1. ↑ "A Silent Film's biography – INTERVIEW". 6lyrics. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 "A SILENT FILM – INTERVIEW". The405. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  3. 1 2 "A Silent Film". Safe Concerts. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  4. ↑ "A Silent Film". All Music. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  5. 1 2 "A Silent Film: The City That Sleeps". Penny Black Music. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  6. ↑ "Album Review: A Silent Film – The City That Sleeps". absolutepunk.net. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  7. ↑ "Album Review: A Silent Film – The City That Sleeps". Alter the Press!. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
  8. ↑ "Shouting Myke". Gigs Unlimited. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
  9. ↑ "A Silent Film". 100 XR. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  10. ↑ "A Silent Film – The LampLight". BBC. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
  11. ↑ "A Silent Film – The City That Sleeps (Xtra Mile)". dailymusicguide. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  12. 1 2 3 4 "A Silent Film re-release The City That Sleeps album". Buzzin Music. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  13. ↑ "A Silent Film". Disappear Here Mag. Retrieved 23 April 2011.
  14. ↑ "XFM New Music Award 2009". XFM. Archived from the original on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 23 April 2011.
  15. ↑ "Linkin Park on iTunes Celebrity Playlist Podcast". "Mike Shinoda Clan". Retrieved 17 September 2011.
  16. ↑ "A Silent Film". "Reverb Nation". Retrieved 17 September 2011.
  17. ↑ "U.K. Buzz Band A Silent Film Relocates to Phoenix". Phoenix New Times". Retrieved 17 September 2011.
  18. ↑ "The City That Sleeps – A Silent Film : Awards". AllMusic. 6 October 2008. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  19. ↑ "A Silent Film Will Leave A Mark!". Best New Bands". Retrieved 17 September 2011.
  20. ↑ "A Silent Film". Sam Williams Music". Retrieved 19 September 2011.
  21. ↑ "A Silent Film". "Leeds Music Scene". Retrieved 17 September 2011.
  22. ↑ "Investigation Discovery promo featuring A Silent Film's "You Will Leave A Mark"". "Zoofs.com". Retrieved 17 September 2011.
  23. ↑ "A Silent Film". "Rockband.com". Retrieved 17 September 2011.
  24. ↑ "A Silent Film – Sand & Snow Review". Stitched Sound. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  25. ↑ "A Silent Film – Sand & Snow Review". The Rock Revival. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  26. ↑ "A Silent Film – Sand & Snow". All Music. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
  27. ↑ "Tomorrow Review". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved 11 August 2015.
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