Lucie Silvas
Encyclopedia
Lucie Silvas is a British singer-songwriter.
Silvas learned to play piano at the age of 5, and had written her first song by age 10. She relocated many times between her parents' native countries as well as England. Her family moved to Thames Ditton
, Kingston-Upon-Thames, England, when she was 13. She entered a Jewish Care
Young Performer competition and came third when she was 14. She attended Surbiton High School
for Girls and left at 16 before going to Brooklands College, in Weybridge, Surrey.
After leaving college at the age of 18, Silvas became a backing singer for Judie Tzuke
, who helped her write much of her first album, entitled Breathe In
.
", which peaked at #62 in the UK Singles Chart. An album, entitled Forget Me Not
, was also planned for release but EMI terminated her contract after the poor reception of the single.
In 2001, Chrysalis Records (an EMI subsidiary) contacted her, this time for songwriting. She signed a publishing contract and, despite being without a record label to release her music, she continued writing and had songs recorded and released by British artists including Sarah Whatmore, Will Young, Gareth Gates, Rachel Stevens and Liberty X. Several of Silvas' songs for other artists have become chart hits.
In 2003, Silvas signed a recording contract of her own with Mercury Records
. She recorded her second album, Breathe In
, which was to become her official debut album in October 2004. Produced by Mike Peden
, much of Breathe In was co-written with Judie Tzuke
, for whom Silvas sang backing vocals for many years. BBC Radio 2
commissioned a radio show to track Silvas' development in the music industry, supporting her career, and adding her tracks to their playlist. The first single from the album, What You're Made of
, entered the official UK charts at number 7, and the following week the album debuted and peaked at number 11 (returning to this position in early 2005). Following TV appearances on the Ivor Novello Elton John
tribute show, and "All Time Greatest Love Songs" with Ronan Keating, Silvas released her second single from the album, "Breathe In
", which debuted at number 6, her highest UK chart peak to date. Silvas then released further singles; "The Game Is Won
" and "Don't Look Back
" which peaked at numbers 38 and 34 respectively.
Following the release of the "Breathe In" single in Britain, Silvas took her music to Europe, including Germany and the Netherlands, where she released a special Europe-only single, "Nothing Else Matters", a cover of the Metallica
song. The Breathe In album was also re-released in the Netherlands as a special 2-disc edition, featuring a full live concert recorded there. She also re-recorded "What You're Made Of" for the Spanish and French markets, working with Antonio Orozco
and Grégory Lemarchal
respectively. A special re-recorded version of the song, featuring the Metropole Orchestra, was released as the fourth and final single from the album in the Netherlands.
With Breathe In certified Platinum in the UK, Silvas embarked on her second UK tour starting in Brighton on 2 November 2005.
Silvas's second album, The Same Side
, was recorded in 2006. Produced by Danton Supple (who had produced Coldplay
's X&Y
album), it was released first in the Netherlands in October 2006. A duet with Marco Borsato
, "Everytime I Think of You
", was released as the first single in the Netherlands, charting at #35 on downloads only, and topping the Dutch Top 40
in the next 3 weeks, becoming her first Number 1 single. A DVD of The Same Side has also been released in the Netherlands.
"Last Year
" was the first single from the album in the UK and Ireland, premiering on BBC Radio 2 in late August 2006, though it failed to chart. Following this setback, Mercury Records
decided to postpone the UK release of the album, which had been scheduled for October 2006. A second single, "Sinking In
", was released as a download only single on 5 March 2007 in the United Kingdom and Ireland, though this too failed to chart. The album was finally released in the UK on 12 March 2007, charting at #62 on the UK Albums Chart
in its first week before falling out of the Top 100 the following week.
and New York
, as well as in studios in the UK. Several demos have been recorded and posted to various sites on the internet such as Silvas' official Myspace page. In August 2009, Silvas revealed that she was writing with Australian singer Delta Goodrem
, and has also co-written tracks for Katharine McPhee
's album Unbroken. In September 2009, Silvas also told fans on Twitter she was working on getting new material out in 2010 and was also planning a European tour. In February 2010, Silvas spent some time in the studio with Nadine Coyle
of Girls Aloud
.
As of February 2011, Silvas posted on Twitter and a new Facebook page content from her forthcoming album Letters to Ghosts. Tracks including "Happy", "Reset", "Smoke (Somebody Stop Me)" and "Roots" - the last of which was offered as a free download prior to the album's release through SoundCloud from April 2011. She has also supported Jamiroquai
on their 2011 tour. On 8 June 2011, Silvas tweeted that she had finished recording her album.
In late July 2011, Silvas worked on some new songs with Una Healy
of The Saturdays
according to tweets from each of them. Mollie King
(also of The Saturdays) subsequently tweeted "So SO excited about a song @unahealy and @luciesilvas have just written! It's AMAZE! What a team they are!!! Xxxxx!". It was later announced that a song called "Last Call", written by Silvas, Healy and Chris Holmes had made The Saturdays' new album On Your Radar
.
Early life
Silvas was born to a Liberal Jewish family in Kingston upon Thames. Her father is of New Zealand descent and her mother, Isobel, is Scottish. Silvas has two sisters, Mia (who has performed backing vocals for her), and Nikki. Her parents were also big music lovers and Silvas has stated this inspired her career, besides the fact that her mother was an opera singer and wanted to pursue a career in music herself.Silvas learned to play piano at the age of 5, and had written her first song by age 10. She relocated many times between her parents' native countries as well as England. Her family moved to Thames Ditton
Thames Ditton
Thames Ditton is a village in Surrey, England, bordering Greater London. It is situated 12.2 miles south-west of Charing Cross between the towns of Kingston upon Thames, Surbiton, Esher and East Molesey...
, Kingston-Upon-Thames, England, when she was 13. She entered a Jewish Care
Jewish Care
Jewish Care is a British charity, working mainly in London and South East England, providing health and social welfare support services for vulnerable members of the Jewish community. Tony Blair, when he was British Prime Minister, said of the charity: "Jewish Care is not just Jewish values in...
Young Performer competition and came third when she was 14. She attended Surbiton High School
Surbiton High School
Surbiton High School is a private school in Surbiton in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, Greater London, England. It was founded in 1884 by a group of Anglican clergymen who instituted the Church Schools Company...
for Girls and left at 16 before going to Brooklands College, in Weybridge, Surrey.
After leaving college at the age of 18, Silvas became a backing singer for Judie Tzuke
Judie Tzuke
Judie Tzuke is an English singer/songwriter. She is most well known for her 1979 hit "Stay With Me Till Dawn", which reached no.16 on the UK Singles Chart.-Early life:...
, who helped her write much of her first album, entitled Breathe In
Breathe In
- Credits :* Art direction - David Coffin* Art producer - David Coffin* Bass - Paul Turner* Cello - Anthony Pleeth* Conductor - Nick Ingham* Digital editing - Keith Gary* drums - Charlie Russell* Engineer - Martin Hayles...
.
2000–01
In 2000, Silvas signed to EMI Records. In June 2000, she released her debut single, "It's Too LateIt's Too Late (Lucie Silvas song)
-Chart performance:...
", which peaked at #62 in the UK Singles Chart. An album, entitled Forget Me Not
Forget Me Not (EP)
Forget Me Not is a five track promotional album sampler by British pop singer-songwriter Lucie Silvas, released in 2000 in the United Kingdom. Two versions of the sampler were released - one with artwork and one without.- Background :...
, was also planned for release but EMI terminated her contract after the poor reception of the single.
In 2001, Chrysalis Records (an EMI subsidiary) contacted her, this time for songwriting. She signed a publishing contract and, despite being without a record label to release her music, she continued writing and had songs recorded and released by British artists including Sarah Whatmore, Will Young, Gareth Gates, Rachel Stevens and Liberty X. Several of Silvas' songs for other artists have become chart hits.
2003–05: Breathe In
In 2003, Silvas recorded a duet with the Spanish singer Natalia called "This Time", and in 2004 she also wrote the first single off Natalia's third album, entitled "Sombras" (Shadows). The same year, Silvas also wrote "I'm Not Your Girlfriend" for the Spanish singer Cristie.In 2003, Silvas signed a recording contract of her own with Mercury Records
Mercury Records
Mercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
. She recorded her second album, Breathe In
Breathe In
- Credits :* Art direction - David Coffin* Art producer - David Coffin* Bass - Paul Turner* Cello - Anthony Pleeth* Conductor - Nick Ingham* Digital editing - Keith Gary* drums - Charlie Russell* Engineer - Martin Hayles...
, which was to become her official debut album in October 2004. Produced by Mike Peden
Mike Peden
Mike Peden is a British producer/remixer/composer best known for his work with the Lighthouse Family. He was the producer of the 2004 album Free Me, the second album by former Spice Girl Emma Bunton. He co-wrote the song "You and I" for Will Young...
, much of Breathe In was co-written with Judie Tzuke
Judie Tzuke
Judie Tzuke is an English singer/songwriter. She is most well known for her 1979 hit "Stay With Me Till Dawn", which reached no.16 on the UK Singles Chart.-Early life:...
, for whom Silvas sang backing vocals for many years. BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
commissioned a radio show to track Silvas' development in the music industry, supporting her career, and adding her tracks to their playlist. The first single from the album, What You're Made of
What You're Made of
"What You're Made of..." is the first single of British female singer Lucie Silvas' début album Breathe In. It debuted and peaked at number 7 on the UK charts...
, entered the official UK charts at number 7, and the following week the album debuted and peaked at number 11 (returning to this position in early 2005). Following TV appearances on the Ivor Novello Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
tribute show, and "All Time Greatest Love Songs" with Ronan Keating, Silvas released her second single from the album, "Breathe In
Breathe In (single)
-Chart performance:Breathe In outdid previous single "What You're Made Of" in the charts by 1 position, peaking at #6....
", which debuted at number 6, her highest UK chart peak to date. Silvas then released further singles; "The Game Is Won
The Game Is Won
-Chart performance:...
" and "Don't Look Back
Don't Look Back (Lucie Silvas song)
-Charts:...
" which peaked at numbers 38 and 34 respectively.
Following the release of the "Breathe In" single in Britain, Silvas took her music to Europe, including Germany and the Netherlands, where she released a special Europe-only single, "Nothing Else Matters", a cover of the Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
song. The Breathe In album was also re-released in the Netherlands as a special 2-disc edition, featuring a full live concert recorded there. She also re-recorded "What You're Made Of" for the Spanish and French markets, working with Antonio Orozco
Antonio Orozco
bob is a Spanish singer-songwriter.The son of a couple of Sevillian working-class marriage, he spent his childhood in Hospitalet de Llobregat. When he was 15 years old, he bought his first guitar and started to compose songs...
and Grégory Lemarchal
Grégory Lemarchal
Grégory Jean-Paul Lemarchal was a French singer who rose to fame by winning the fourth series of the reality TV programme Star Academy France, broadcast on the TF1 television network....
respectively. A special re-recorded version of the song, featuring the Metropole Orchestra, was released as the fourth and final single from the album in the Netherlands.
With Breathe In certified Platinum in the UK, Silvas embarked on her second UK tour starting in Brighton on 2 November 2005.
2006–07: The Same Side
The Same Side
-Chart performance:...
, was recorded in 2006. Produced by Danton Supple (who had produced Coldplay
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
's X&Y
X&Y
X&Y is the third studio album by English rock band Coldplay, released 6 June 2005 in the United Kingdom via the record label Parlophone. The album, which features influences of electronic music, was produced by the band and British record producer Danton Supple...
album), it was released first in the Netherlands in October 2006. A duet with Marco Borsato
Marco Borsato
Marco Borsato is a Dutch singer. He started performing in Italian before switching to Dutch in 1994. He is married to Leontine Ruiters and has three children.-Biography:...
, "Everytime I Think of You
Everytime I Think of You
"Every Time I Think of You" is a the title of a song written by Jack Conrad and Ray Kennedy which was a Top 20 hit single for the Babys in 1979....
", was released as the first single in the Netherlands, charting at #35 on downloads only, and topping the Dutch Top 40
Dutch Top 40
The Dutch Top 40 is a weekly music chart, which started as the "Veronica Top 40", because the offshore radio station Radio Veronica was the first to introduce it. It remained "The Veronica Top 40" until 1974, when the station was forced to stop broadcasting...
in the next 3 weeks, becoming her first Number 1 single. A DVD of The Same Side has also been released in the Netherlands.
"Last Year
Last Year (song)
"Last Year" is a song recorded by singer-songwriter Lucie Silvas, to be released as the first single off her upcoming second album The Same Side in the UK. Formerly, "Everytime I Think of You" was released as the first single in the Netherlands, which has already peaked at the number one...
" was the first single from the album in the UK and Ireland, premiering on BBC Radio 2 in late August 2006, though it failed to chart. Following this setback, Mercury Records
Mercury Records
Mercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
decided to postpone the UK release of the album, which had been scheduled for October 2006. A second single, "Sinking In
Sinking In
"Sinking In", is the second and final single taken from Lucie Silvas's album The Same Side. It was released on March 5 only in the UK and Ireland....
", was released as a download only single on 5 March 2007 in the United Kingdom and Ireland, though this too failed to chart. The album was finally released in the UK on 12 March 2007, charting at #62 on the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
in its first week before falling out of the Top 100 the following week.
2010–Present: Letters to Ghosts
After The Same Side failed to impact on the charts, Silvas was subsequently dropped by her label. She has spent time working on new music in Nashville, TennesseeNashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
and New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, as well as in studios in the UK. Several demos have been recorded and posted to various sites on the internet such as Silvas' official Myspace page. In August 2009, Silvas revealed that she was writing with Australian singer Delta Goodrem
Delta Goodrem
Delta Lea Goodrem is an Australian singer-songwriter, pianist, and actress. Signed to Sony at the age of 15, Goodrem rose to prominence in 2002, starring in the Australian soap opera Neighbours as Nina Tucker. Goodrem has achieved eight number-one singles and three number-one albums in her home...
, and has also co-written tracks for Katharine McPhee
Katharine McPhee
Katharine Hope McPhee is an American pop singer, songwriter, actress, model, and television personality. She gained fame as a contestant on the fifth season of the Fox reality show American Idol in 2006, eventually finishing as the runner-up.Her self-titled debut album was released on RCA Records...
's album Unbroken. In September 2009, Silvas also told fans on Twitter she was working on getting new material out in 2010 and was also planning a European tour. In February 2010, Silvas spent some time in the studio with Nadine Coyle
Nadine Coyle
Nadine Coyle is an Irish singer, songwriter, actress, and model who rose to fame in the early 2000s as a member of the band Six before becoming a member of successful girl-group Girls Aloud. The group amassed a joint fortune of £25 million by May 2009...
of Girls Aloud
Girls Aloud
Girls Aloud are a British and Irish pop girl group based in London. They were created through the ITV1 talent show Popstars The Rivals in 2002. The group consists of Cheryl Cole , Nadine Coyle, Sarah Harding, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh. They are signed to Fascination Records, a Polydor...
.
As of February 2011, Silvas posted on Twitter and a new Facebook page content from her forthcoming album Letters to Ghosts. Tracks including "Happy", "Reset", "Smoke (Somebody Stop Me)" and "Roots" - the last of which was offered as a free download prior to the album's release through SoundCloud from April 2011. She has also supported Jamiroquai
Jamiroquai
Jamiroquai is a British jazz funk and acid jazz band formed in 1992. Jamiroquai were initially the most prominent component in the early-1990s London-based acid jazz movement, alongside groups such as Incognito, the James Taylor Quartet, and the Brand New Heavies. Other Acid Jazz artists such as...
on their 2011 tour. On 8 June 2011, Silvas tweeted that she had finished recording her album.
In late July 2011, Silvas worked on some new songs with Una Healy
Una Healy
Una Theresa Imogene Healy is an Irish singer-songwriter and musician, best known for being one fifth of girl group The Saturdays...
of The Saturdays
The Saturdays
The Saturdays are a British and Irish pop girl group based in London, United Kingdom. The group consists of five members Una Healy, Mollie King, Frankie Sandford, Vanessa White and Rochelle Wiseman. In 2007 the band were formed through Fascination Records which gave them an instant record deal with...
according to tweets from each of them. Mollie King
Mollie King
Mollie Elizabeth King is an English singer-songwriter. She is best known for being a member of girl group, The Saturdays. In the band, King has successfully enjoyed ten top-ten and five top-five singles on the UK Singles Chart and three top-ten albums on the UK Albums Chart...
(also of The Saturdays) subsequently tweeted "So SO excited about a song @unahealy and @luciesilvas have just written! It's AMAZE! What a team they are!!! Xxxxx!". It was later announced that a song called "Last Call", written by Silvas, Healy and Chris Holmes had made The Saturdays' new album On Your Radar
On Your Radar (album)
On Your Radar is the third full-length studio album by British-Irish pop girl-group The Saturdays. The album was released 21 November 2011 under Fascination Records...
.
Discography
- Breathe InBreathe In- Credits :* Art direction - David Coffin* Art producer - David Coffin* Bass - Paul Turner* Cello - Anthony Pleeth* Conductor - Nick Ingham* Digital editing - Keith Gary* drums - Charlie Russell* Engineer - Martin Hayles...
(2004) - The Same SideThe Same Side-Chart performance:...
(2006) - Letters to Ghosts (2011)