This week, I'm going to limit the article to one highly motivated Singer-Composer, her partner, and her Band. She "Friended" me on MySpace. She had specifically requested that would write about her and her Band in my next Newsvine article. This was astonishing to me, as she and her Band are from Italy. I knew somebody was reading these articles, I just never imagined a global audience.
So, being a gentleman, how could I refuse, especially after she supplied all of my requests for materials for the article in less than a couple hours. Like I said, this Lady is highly motivated. the Band is talented, energetic, and has a serious work ethic. They love to play live. Put all those things together and you have a formula for success. But when you add Faith's charm and charisma, dealing with the Press, Studios, Booking Agents, etc. it's hard to imagine them NOT succeeding.
I WILL be writing about other Bands, but on the Feature Article, I'm going to focus on one or two Artists at the most. I'm planning to stat doing "snapshots" by genre of Bands, Artists, Visual Media Artists, New Writers, etc. with short descriptions, a quick summary of why I picked them, and Links to a Band or Art Site, with a couple or three photos.
There are SO MANY good people out there doing incredible work, the weekly article is hardly scratching the new "Friend Requests" I'm getting on MySpace. (http://myspace.com/drsuleimandex) I think this will be better for those I'm introducing to the N American audience, and will be better for the readers, as well.
THE SHIVER:
The Shiver began in 2005 when Faith, Singer and Composer, joined with Finch, who is still the Band's Drummer, to collaborate on a new project. After the release and promotion of the first demo "Shade's Changing", Carlo Bellotti liked the Band, and included them in "Alkemist Fanatix" Europe's roster.
In 2007, The Shiver signed with UK Division Records, who released their Debut Album "Inside" in January 2008, with Global distribution and promotion. After many Italian Concerts, the Band began their first tour abroad, which was in the UK. English people immediately liked The Shiver's music, and the Band was featured in Articles in "The Guardian" and "The Chronicle", as well as receiving amazing feedback from the Music Press in a number of Music Magazines and Webzines.
The band has been featured on Rocksound (UK), Gothic Beauty (USA), and Big Cheese (UK). Faith's interviews were featured by Rocksound (ITA), Fireworks (UK), Flash Mag (ITA), Benzoworld (ITA), Ravenheart Music (UK), Metalwave (ITA) and Finch is mentioned by Percussioni (ITA). The songs "Edge of Atmosphere" and "Symbiosis" were chosen for the Rocksound, Fireworks, and Big Cheese Samplers, which were broadcast by Web Radio.
In summer 2008, Faith composed new songs, partnering with Finch on Percussion . The new sound is fresh, dynamic, and marked by a unique style. They booked a studio and started recording a new Album. By October the band was again on tour, this time for some special Halloween engagements in London, Manchester, and Liverpool, UK.
In December '08 The Shiver began recording at Westlink Studio (PI). Faith and Finch collaborated with Alessandro Paolucci (Raw Power) as Producer of the Album, as well as it's Bass player, while the Guitars were added by Stefano Tocci (Incoming Cerebral Overdrive). They played Faith's songs and contributed arrangements.
"A New Horizon" will be out soon with Reality Entertainment in the US and Aural Music/Dreamcell11 worldwide, published by Warner Chappell Music Worldwide.
While waiting for it's release, the Band will be on the road again touring this time throughout Europe. The Shiver is a young Band, with plenty of energy, creativity, and power, poised to leave a major footprint in Global Music.
QUESTIONS FAITH RESPONDED TO:
I asked Faith about the Band's Background, Experiences, and Plans:
Faith: It's a pleasure to talk with you about some experiences I had with my band.
We're an emerging band, and have been playing in Italy and Europe since 2006.
Live Shows are the first thing for us, it's really the only way to spread our music. For this reason I've always worked hard to grant my band the best.
Our last tour in Belgium and UK, during November 09, has been really fantastic. I worked with a Nottingham-based Agency: Nightstalkers promotion, and a promoter from Stage-dive Webzine, Kurt.
We rent a van and drove from Italy to Belgium, we had two shows in Antwerp and Mechelen with a local black metal band called Persephone's Blade. We visited the cities, we drank beer (of course, Belgian Beers are FABULOUS!!!),
We slept in the venue the first night, then in the van, and we spent a great time with our friends that came with us to help the band with the Merchandise!
Then we went by the ship to the UK (it was our 3rd tour in the UK), and we stayed in our promoters' house, in Nottingham, going everyday in the shows city.
On the first night we shot a video-clip in a cool venue (it's the video for "Crushing Down").
I met a lot of new friends and fans and I loved Nottingham (I hadn't been there before)- it's a fantastic place, full of music and nightlife! Our tour reached London, too. Local bands seemed a little cold with us, anyway we were in Camden and i was so excited! Unfortunately we won't go back in the UK until next Autumn. I'm really sad about this, I love this country.
Once back home, besides the other Italian gigs, we worked on a Xmas Acoustic Show in Rome. We found an elegant venue for the 23rd night and we played our set in a cool Soft Acoustic version: only 2 guitars, and drums consisting of bass and snare,
and vocals. It was beautiful, the venue filled up, the atmosphere was magical! I wish I had some video from that gig! Many fans were surprised when they heard our songs, usually played in the rock version, with the acoustic sound. And they fitted the sound perfectly! Rome is our city and we had the chance to play in front of old friends and fans!
It's a hard work, to grow a band on our own, with many difficulties. The Shiver is me and Finch (drums player), and we've started this project long time ago, trying to go further, putting into it all our passion and strength.
We have to thank all the people that collaborate with us, that support us, as it means so much for us! There are lots of difficulties, as we come from a music reality where you grow only if are rich or the son of a producer or things like that! We are trying to make it in the real way, I'm trying to write sincere music, with all my heart, straight to listeners.
What are we going to do next?
During 2010 we would like to shoot a new Official Video, and are working to book a tour in the US, as we have many fans there asking us to play there, We are hoping to be the opening act for a bigger band, to play in front of many people.
Meanwhile we have to work hard as individual musicians. I'm going to appear in many features and Finch will work with other artists in various collaborations.
It's going be hard, but I am confident we can do that.