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]

A critic said that A Silent Film "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.

Discography

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

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)

References

  1. ↑ "A Silent Film's biography – INTERVIEW". 6lyrics. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "A SILENT FILM – INTERVIEW". The405. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "A Silent Film". Safe Concerts. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  4. ↑ "A Silent Film". All Music. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "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. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 "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.