Stars (Canadian band)
| Stars | |
|---|---|
 Torquil Campbell and Amy Millan, Stockholm 2005 |
|
| Background information | |
| Genres | Indie pop, indie rock |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Labels | Soft Revolution, Arts & Crafts, Le Grand Magistery, Paper Bag |
| Associated acts | Broken Social Scene Memphis |
| Website | www.youarestars.com |
| Members | |
| Torquil Campbell Amy Millan Evan Cranley Chris Seligman Pat McGee |
|
Stars is an indie pop band from Canada. Originally formed in Toronto by vocalist Torquil Campbell and keyboardist Chris Seligman, the band relocated to New York City and then subsequently to Montreal, where they are currently based.
Contents |
[edit] History
All members of the band are also members of the indie band Broken Social Scene, with whom they once shared a record label, Arts & Crafts. Campbell is an actor who has appeared on the television shows Sex and the City and Law & Order. Millan has released two solo albums, Honey from the Tombs in 2006 and Masters of the Burial in 2009.
On their website, the band has noted that their name was chosen with prior knowledge of the short-lived project by Syd Barrett.[1] They have cited a wide variety of musical likes and influences ranging from Berlioz to Outkast, citing among others Barrett, Paddy McAloon, New Order, The Smiths, Brian Wilson, Momus, and Broken Social Scene. They covered The Smiths' "This Charming Man" on 2001's Nightsongs and The Pogues' "Fairytale of New York" in 2005. Other indie artists have been guest collaborators on many of their tracks, especially for an early period including the release of their first LP.
Anticipating that their album In Our Bedroom After the War would leak at some point between the final mixing and the official release then more than two months away, Stars made the album available in digital form on July 10, 2007.[2] The CD release included a bonus DVD.
On September 1, 2008, the band released the EP Sad Robots exclusively through their online store and on tour. The EP is available as a physical release or an online download.
On October 20, 2008, they opened for the British superstars Coldplay in Ottawa, Ontario as part of the Viva la Vida Tour.
Their single "Celebration Guns" is the title song for the television series ZOS: Zone of Separation and was provided for free as part of a collaboration with Moms Against Climate Change.[3]
Stars have covered The Smiths "Asleep" for American Laundromat Records charity CD "Sing Me To Sleep - Indie Lullabies". The CD was released worldwide on May 18, 2010.
On March 9, 2010, Pitchfork Media reported that the band would be releasing their fifth studio album, The Five Ghosts, on June 22, 2010. In Canada, the album was released via Soft Revolution, the band's own new label. It has been distributed worldwide via Vagrant Records.[4]
[edit] Musical style and influence
Stars' music has been described as "beautiful, eloquent indie pop",[5] characterized by lush instrumentation, nimble production and mixing, narrative lyrics, and soft but nuanced vocals. The band's style has evolved from an electronic-pop sound as heard on Nightsongs (released on Le Grand Magistery record label) to more rock-based instrumentation on their following three full-length albums, reflecting the permanent additions of singer-guitarist Amy Millan and bassist Evan Cranley on Heart (released on Paper Bag Records), and eventually drummer Pat McGee on Set Yourself on Fire.
Their songs have been featured on Queer as Folk (2000 TV series), The O.C., Warehouse 13, Degrassi: The Next Generation, Degrassi: Now or Never, Gossip Girl, The Vampire Diaries, Skins and Chuck.
[edit] Members
- Torquil Campbell
- Chris Seligman
- Evan Cranley
- Amy Millan
- Pat McGee
[edit] Discography
- A Lot of Little Lies for the Sake of One Big Truth (EP) (2001)
- Nightsongs (2001)
- The Comeback (EP) (2001)
- Dead Child Stars (EP) (2003)
- Heart (2003)
- Set Yourself on Fire (2004)
- Do You Trust Your Friends? (Remix album) (2007)
- In Our Bedroom after the War (2007)
- Sad Robots (EP) (2008)
- Fairytale of New York (Cover) (2009)
- The Séance (EP) (2010)
- The Five Ghosts (June 22, 2010)
- The Bedroom Demos (June 7, 2011)
[edit] Awards
[edit] Juno nominations
The Juno Awards are presented by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Stars has received two nominations.[6][7]
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Heart | Alternative Album of the Year | Nominated |
| 2005 | Set Yourself on Fire | Alternative Album of the Year | Nominated |
[edit] Polaris Music Prizes
The Polaris Music Prize is awarded annually to the best full-length Canadian album based on artistic merit. Stars has received two nominations.[8]
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | In Our Bedroom After the War | Polaris Music Prize | Nominated |
| 2011 | The Five Ghosts | Polaris Music Prize | Nominated |
[edit] TV appearances
- Live! At the Rehearsal Hall
- Late Night with Conan O'Brien[9]
- Late Night With Jimmy Fallon
[edit] References
- ^ Former official website
- ^ Stars Battle Leaks by Releasing Digital Bedroom Today!
- ^ "Celebration Guns"
- ^ "Stars Return With New Album". Pitchfork Media. http://pitchfork.com/news/38131-stars-return-with-new-album/. Retrieved March 9, 2010.
- ^ "Post: Stars set to play The Vogue in March | Indianapolis, Indiana". Indy.com. http://www.indy.com/posts/stars-set-to-play-the-vogue-in-march. Retrieved 2011-07-06.
- ^ "The Show". CTV. http://www.ctv.ca/mini_v2/junos2004/static/the_show.html. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
- ^ "Lavigne leads Juno honour roll". Toronto Star. 2005-02-08.
- ^ "Weakerthans, Edwards, Stars among Polaris finalists". CTV. http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080707/polaris_prize_080707/20080707?hub=Entertainment. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
- ^ Stars on Myspace
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Stars (band) |
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