Shy Child
Encyclopedia
Shy Child are an electronic music duo from New York
consisting of Pete Cafarella on vocals and synthesizers and Nate Smith on drums.
. The duo shared a love for progressive rock
and electronic music
, and started playing music together in an attempt to create a fusion of the genres. Shy child recorded their debut album, Please Consider Our Time
, in 2001. Originally sold through local record shops, Grenadine Records
signed the band and re-released it proper in 2002, followed by the Humanity EP
in 2003.
In 2004 the band released their second full-length album One With The Sun
on New York label Say Hey Records
. Two singles were later released in the UK from the album, The Noise Won't Stop and Technicrats
, though the album itself was only released in North America.
Shy Child began playing steadily in the UK in 2006, and they also started working on their next album with producers Chris Zane
and Paul Epworth
. In the summer of 2006, they signed with UK label Wall of Sound
. A U.S. tour supporting Hot Chip
followed in the fall.
In early 2007, Shy Child released the singles Drop the Phone
and Noise Won't Stop
in the UK. They supported Klaxons
on their tour of England in May, the same month that they released their third album Noise Won't Stop
. The band toured extensively in the UK and Europe in the summer of 2007, playing at Barcelona Acció Musical, London's O2 Wireless Festival
, the Reading and Leeds Festivals
, and Bestival
, among others. They also supported Muse
at Wembley Stadium
on June 17, 2007, becoming the first American act to play the new Wembley Stadium. The group released the single Summer
in September 2007, followed by an October headline tour around the UK. Drop the Phone
was re-released in November.
Shy Child toured New Zealand and Australia as part of the Big Day Out
Festival in January and February 2008, and opened for Björk
at the forecourt of the Sydney Opera House
as well. Noise Won't Stop
was released in the USA by Kill Rock Stars
in May 2008.
In March 2010, Shy Child released a new single, Disconnected
and their fourth studio album, Liquid Love
. A UK tour to support the album had to be rescheduled due to Pete suffering concussion. A second single, Open Up The Sky
, was released later in the year. In September 2010, Liquid Love
was released in North America by Gigantic Music
.
in El Guapo, later known as Supersystem
. Nate Smith was drumming for another New York duo, Touchdown.
. The keytar in question, a Roland
AX-7, accompanied the band through all of their tours until 2010, when it was replaced by two regular synthesizer
s. When asked about this, Cafarella responded with "[the keytar is] kinda broken", and also that he felt people were not taking the band seriously because of it.
's Transmission
in May 2007. In June of the same year, they performed Drop the Phone
on the BBC
television show Later with Jools Holland
. In October 2007, Shy Child performed the same song for Stella McCartney
during the Swarovski
Fashion Rocks
event at Royal Albert Hall
in London, which was broadcast worldwide. They have also appeared on the UK television shows The Culture Show
, and Death Disco.
, The Futureheads
, Tokyo Police Club
, Editors
, and many others; their remixed version of The Boggs' "Arm in Arm" was featured in a trailer for Grand Theft Auto IV
and appears in the game as well.
Artists and bands that have remixed Shy Child include Buraka Som Sistema
, Busy P, Infadels
, and others.
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
consisting of Pete Cafarella on vocals and synthesizers and Nate Smith on drums.
History
Shy Child formed in the summer of 2000, when former college friends Pete Cafarella and Nate Smith separately moved to New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. The duo shared a love for progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
and electronic music
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
, and started playing music together in an attempt to create a fusion of the genres. Shy child recorded their debut album, Please Consider Our Time
Please Consider Our Time
Please Consider Our Time is the debut album from New York band Shy Child.The album is more experimental in nature than the band's later releases. It was released only in Canada and Japan, and received very little promotion. No singles were released from the album.-Release:The album was originally...
, in 2001. Originally sold through local record shops, Grenadine Records
Grenadine Records
Grenadine Records is a Canadian independent record label based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The music label was founded in 1997 by Eric Y. Lapointe and Alex Megelas who met at Bishop's University's radio station CJMQ-FM....
signed the band and re-released it proper in 2002, followed by the Humanity EP
Humanity EP
Humanity EP is a 2003 EP by New York synthpop duo Shy Child.It was a step in a new direction for the band, who had previously produced progressive electronica. This EP is much more synthpop influenced.-Track listing:# 'You're All Aglow'# 'Dawn To Dust'...
in 2003.
In 2004 the band released their second full-length album One With The Sun
One With The Sun
One With The Sun is the second studio album by New York electronica band Shy Child. The album is centered around the sun, with many songs containing lyrical themes about summer and sunshine.-Standard Edition:# "The Noise Won't Stop"# "Sunshine"...
on New York label Say Hey Records
Say Hey Records
Say Hey Records is an independent record label based in New York City, and is the brainchild of founder Aaron Romanello. The label has put out notable records by White Rabbits, Shy Child, Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson's eponymous debut LP, and Inouk, as well as releases by Cause For Applause, The...
. Two singles were later released in the UK from the album, The Noise Won't Stop and Technicrats
Technicrats
Technicrats is a 2007 single by New York synthpop band Shy Child.-Release:The song was included on the band's 2004 album One With The Sun. There were only 1000 copies of the single printed....
, though the album itself was only released in North America.
Shy Child began playing steadily in the UK in 2006, and they also started working on their next album with producers Chris Zane
Chris Zane
Chris Zane is a music producer, engineer and mixer based in New York City.-2011:*Heartsrevolution - "Ride or Die" *Friendly Fires - "Pala" *Holy Ghost! - "Holy Ghost!" *Asobi Seksu - "Fluorescence"...
and Paul Epworth
Paul Epworth
Paul Epworth is an award-winning British music producer, musician, and songwriter. His production credits include Adele, Cee Lo Green, Florence and the Machine, Plan B, Friendly Fires, Bloc Party, Primal Scream, The Rapture, Jack Peñate, Kate Nash and Maxïmo Park.-Lomax:From 2002-2004 Paul provided...
. In the summer of 2006, they signed with UK label Wall of Sound
Wall of Sound (record label)
Wall of Sound is an independent record label based in London, England. It is part of the [PIAS] Entertainment Group, a European independent music company....
. A U.S. tour supporting Hot Chip
Hot Chip
Hot Chip are an English electronic indie band. They have released four studio albums—Coming on Strong, The Warning, Made in the Dark and One Life Stand.-Formation:...
followed in the fall.
In early 2007, Shy Child released the singles Drop the Phone
Drop The Phone
Drop The Phone is a 2007 single by New York electronica band Shy Child.-Music video:The music video features Pete and Nate playing in a plain white room. Towards the end of the video, they begin to fall over....
and Noise Won't Stop
Noise Won't Stop (song)
Noise Won't Stop is a 2007 song by New York synthpop band Shy Child, from the album of the same name, and previous album One With The Sun.-Release:...
in the UK. They supported Klaxons
Klaxons
Klaxons are a British indie rock band, based in London. Following the release of numerous 7-inch singles on different independent record labels, as well as the success of previous singles "Magick" and "Golden Skans", the band released their debut album, Myths of the Near Future on 29 January 2007....
on their tour of England in May, the same month that they released their third album Noise Won't Stop
Noise Won't Stop
Noise Won't Stop is the third studio album by New York electronica band Shy Child.-Release:The album was the first by the band to be released in the UK, leading many to erroneously believe that it was the band's first album...
. The band toured extensively in the UK and Europe in the summer of 2007, playing at Barcelona Acció Musical, London's O2 Wireless Festival
Wireless Festival
The Wireless Festival is a music festival in England that takes place every year in Hyde Park, London, and took place at Harewood House, Leeds in 2006 and 2007. It is owned and managed by Live Nation....
, the Reading and Leeds Festivals
Reading and Leeds Festivals
The Reading and Leeds Festivals are a pair of annual music festivals that take place in Reading and Leeds in England. The events take place simultaneously on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the August bank holiday weekend, sharing the same bill. The Reading Festival is held at Little John's Farm...
, and Bestival
Bestival
Bestival is a four-day music festival held at the Robin Hill country park on the Isle of Wight, England. It has been held annually in late summer since 2004. The event is organized by DJ and record producer Rob da Bank and is an off-shoot of his Sunday Best record label and club nights. The initial...
, among others. They also supported Muse
Muse (band)
Muse are an English alternative rock band from Teignmouth, Devon, formed in 1994. The band consists of school friends Matthew Bellamy , Christopher Wolstenholme and Dominic Howard...
at Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
on June 17, 2007, becoming the first American act to play the new Wembley Stadium. The group released the single Summer
Summer (Shy Child song)
Summer is a 2007 single by New York synthpop band Shy Child.-CD:# 'Summer '# 'Murder Capital'# 'Summer '# 'Summer '# 'Summer '# 'Summer '# 'Summer '...
in September 2007, followed by an October headline tour around the UK. Drop the Phone
Drop The Phone
Drop The Phone is a 2007 single by New York electronica band Shy Child.-Music video:The music video features Pete and Nate playing in a plain white room. Towards the end of the video, they begin to fall over....
was re-released in November.
Shy Child toured New Zealand and Australia as part of the Big Day Out
Big Day Out
The Big Day Out is an annual music festival held in several cities in Australia and New Zealand in late January. It started in Sydney in 1992, spread to Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth by 1993, with the Gold Coast and Auckland joining in 1994...
Festival in January and February 2008, and opened for Björk
Björk
Björk Guðmundsdóttir , known as Björk , is an Icelandic singer-songwriter. Her eclectic musical style has achieved popular acknowledgement and popularity within many musical genres, such as rock, jazz, electronic dance music, classical and folk...
at the forecourt of the Sydney Opera House
Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre in the Australian city of Sydney. It was conceived and largely built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, finally opening in 1973 after a long gestation starting with his competition-winning design in 1957...
as well. Noise Won't Stop
Noise Won't Stop
Noise Won't Stop is the third studio album by New York electronica band Shy Child.-Release:The album was the first by the band to be released in the UK, leading many to erroneously believe that it was the band's first album...
was released in the USA by Kill Rock Stars
Kill Rock Stars
Kill Rock Stars is an independent record label founded in 1991 by Slim Moon and based in both Olympia, Washington and Portland, Oregon. The label has released a variety of work in different genres, making it difficult to pigeonhole as having any one artistic mission...
in May 2008.
In March 2010, Shy Child released a new single, Disconnected
Disconnected (Shy Child song)
"Disconnected" is the lead single from New York Synthpop duo Shy Child's fourth studio album, Liquid Love.-Download:#'Disconnected' 4:07#'Disconnected ' 6:10#'Disconnected '#'Disconnected ' 4:43...
and their fourth studio album, Liquid Love
Liquid Love (Shy Child album)
-Release:The band announced in December 2009 that they had completed their fourth album and gave away a free track, Criss Cross, to promote it. A single, Disconnected was released digitally on 7 March....
. A UK tour to support the album had to be rescheduled due to Pete suffering concussion. A second single, Open Up The Sky
Open Up The Sky
Open Up The Sky is the second single from New York electronic music duo Shy Child's fourth studio album, Liquid Love, and their seventh single overall.-Track listing:#'Open Up The Sky ' 3:09#'Open Up The Sky ' 7:04...
, was released later in the year. In September 2010, Liquid Love
Liquid Love (Shy Child album)
-Release:The band announced in December 2009 that they had completed their fourth album and gave away a free track, Criss Cross, to promote it. A single, Disconnected was released digitally on 7 March....
was released in North America by Gigantic Music
Gigantic Music
Gigantic Music is an independent record label, founded by Brian Devine in 2000. Gigantic Music is based out of New York City.Moving beyond the somewhat flimsy "indie rock" categorization, Gigantic Music focuses on the promotion of innovative and talented musicians, regardless of whether or not they...
.
Side Projects
Before Shy Child, Pete Cafarella had been playing synthesizerSynthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
in El Guapo, later known as Supersystem
Supersystem
Supersystem was a band from Washington, D.C. described as a mix of rock, punk, pop and dance music. Originally El Guapo, the group changed their name because of potential legal issues, a new drummer, and general dislike of the original name...
. Nate Smith was drumming for another New York duo, Touchdown.
Instrumentation
Pete Cafarella is well known for playing entire songs using only a keytarKeytar
A keytar is a relatively lightweight keyboard that is supported by a strap around the neck and shoulders, similar to the way a guitar is supported by a strap. Keytars allow players a greater range of movement compared to conventional keyboards, which are placed on stands...
. The keytar in question, a Roland
Roland
Roland was a Frankish military leader under Charlemagne who became one of the principal figures in the literary cycle known as the Matter of France. Historically, Roland was military governor of the Breton March, with responsibility for defending the frontier of Francia against the Bretons...
AX-7, accompanied the band through all of their tours until 2010, when it was replaced by two regular synthesizer
Synthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
s. When asked about this, Cafarella responded with "[the keytar is] kinda broken", and also that he felt people were not taking the band seriously because of it.
Television
Shy Child performed The Noise Won't Stop on Channel 4Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
's Transmission
Transmission (TV series)
Transmission is a British television programme broadcast on Channel 4, offering live performances and interviews of famous music artists that ran for three series between 2006 and 2007...
in May 2007. In June of the same year, they performed Drop the Phone
Drop The Phone
Drop The Phone is a 2007 single by New York electronica band Shy Child.-Music video:The music video features Pete and Nate playing in a plain white room. Towards the end of the video, they begin to fall over....
on the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
television show Later with Jools Holland
Later with Jools Holland
Later... with Jools Holland is a contemporary British music television show hosted by Jools Holland. A spin-off of The Late Show, it has been running in short series since 1992 and is a part of BBC Two's late-night line-up, usually at around 11pm to 12 midnight...
. In October 2007, Shy Child performed the same song for Stella McCartney
Stella McCartney
Stella Nina McCartney is an English fashion designer. She is the daughter of former Beatles member Sir Paul McCartney and the late photographer and animal rights activist, Linda McCartney.-Early life:...
during the Swarovski
Swarovski
Swarovski is the brand name for a range of precisely-cut crystal and related luxury products produced by Swarovski AG of Wattens, Austria...
Fashion Rocks
Fashion Rocks
Fashion Rocks was an annual international charity fundraiser event which features fashions by the world's top designers being presented to live performances by popular music acts.The inaugural event was held at the Royal Albert Hall on October 15, 2003...
event at Royal Albert Hall
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
in London, which was broadcast worldwide. They have also appeared on the UK television shows The Culture Show
The Culture Show
The Culture Show is a weekly BBC Two Arts magazine programme. It is broadcast in the UK on Thursday nights at 7pm, focusing on the best of the week's arts and culture news, covering books, art, film, architecture, music, visual fashion and the performing arts...
, and Death Disco.
Studio albums
- Please Consider Our TimePlease Consider Our TimePlease Consider Our Time is the debut album from New York band Shy Child.The album is more experimental in nature than the band's later releases. It was released only in Canada and Japan, and received very little promotion. No singles were released from the album.-Release:The album was originally...
(2002) - One With The SunOne With The SunOne With The Sun is the second studio album by New York electronica band Shy Child. The album is centered around the sun, with many songs containing lyrical themes about summer and sunshine.-Standard Edition:# "The Noise Won't Stop"# "Sunshine"...
(2004) - Noise Won't StopNoise Won't StopNoise Won't Stop is the third studio album by New York electronica band Shy Child.-Release:The album was the first by the band to be released in the UK, leading many to erroneously believe that it was the band's first album...
(2007) - Liquid LoveLiquid Love (Shy Child album)-Release:The band announced in December 2009 that they had completed their fourth album and gave away a free track, Criss Cross, to promote it. A single, Disconnected was released digitally on 7 March....
(2009)
Singles
- "Noise Won't StopNoise Won't Stop (song)Noise Won't Stop is a 2007 song by New York synthpop band Shy Child, from the album of the same name, and previous album One With The Sun.-Release:...
" (2005) - "TechnicratsTechnicratsTechnicrats is a 2007 single by New York synthpop band Shy Child.-Release:The song was included on the band's 2004 album One With The Sun. There were only 1000 copies of the single printed....
" (2006) - "Drop the PhoneDrop The PhoneDrop The Phone is a 2007 single by New York electronica band Shy Child.-Music video:The music video features Pete and Nate playing in a plain white room. Towards the end of the video, they begin to fall over....
" (2007) - "Noise Won't Stop (Re-Release)Noise Won't Stop (song)Noise Won't Stop is a 2007 song by New York synthpop band Shy Child, from the album of the same name, and previous album One With The Sun.-Release:...
" (2007) - "SummerSummer (Shy Child song)Summer is a 2007 single by New York synthpop band Shy Child.-CD:# 'Summer '# 'Murder Capital'# 'Summer '# 'Summer '# 'Summer '# 'Summer '# 'Summer '...
" (2007) - "DisconnectedDisconnected (Shy Child song)"Disconnected" is the lead single from New York Synthpop duo Shy Child's fourth studio album, Liquid Love.-Download:#'Disconnected' 4:07#'Disconnected ' 6:10#'Disconnected '#'Disconnected ' 4:43...
" (2010) - "Open Up The SkyOpen Up The SkyOpen Up The Sky is the second single from New York electronic music duo Shy Child's fourth studio album, Liquid Love, and their seventh single overall.-Track listing:#'Open Up The Sky ' 3:09#'Open Up The Sky ' 7:04...
" (2010)
Remixes
Shy Child has remixed songs for Midnight JuggernautsMidnight Juggernauts
Midnight Juggernauts are a band from Melbourne, Australia composed of Andrew Szekeres, Vincent Vendetta, and Daniel Stricker. The band has been described as anything from 'prog dance meets cosmic film scores', to 'slasher-flick disco' to 'deadpan landscape',...
, The Futureheads
The Futureheads
The Futureheads are an English post-punk band from Sunderland. consisting of Ross Millard , Barry Hyde and David "Jaff" Craig...
, Tokyo Police Club
Tokyo Police Club
Tokyo Police Club is an indie rock band from Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. It consists of vocalist and bassist David Monks , keyboardist Graham Wright, guitarist Josh Hook , and drummer Greg Alsop ....
, Editors
Editors
Editors are a British indie rock band based in Birmingham, who formed in 2002. Previously known as Pilot, The Pride and Snowfield, the band consists of Tom Smith , Chris Urbanowicz , Russell Leetch and Ed Lay .Editors have so far released two platinum studio...
, and many others; their remixed version of The Boggs' "Arm in Arm" was featured in a trailer for Grand Theft Auto IV
Grand Theft Auto IV
Grand Theft Auto IV is a 2008 open world action video game published by Rockstar Games, and developed by British games developer Rockstar North. It has been released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 video game consoles, and for the Windows operating system...
and appears in the game as well.
Artists and bands that have remixed Shy Child include Buraka Som Sistema
Buraka Som Sistema
Buraka Som Sistema is an electronic dance music project from Portugal, specializing in a fusion of techno beats with the African kuduro genre, and are generally credited with creating the "progressive kuduro" variant and have been awarded an MTV European Music Award.-Origins:Buraka Som Sistema was...
, Busy P, Infadels
Infadels
Infadels are a London-based indie-electro band signed to the Wall of Sound record label. Their debut album, We Are Not the Infadels, was produced by Jagz Kooner and released in January 2006. A second album, the Martin "Youth" Glover produced Universe In Reverse, was released in June 2008...
, and others.