Stars (band)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Stars | |
|---|---|
 Torquil Campbell and Amy Millan, Stockholm 2005
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| Background information | |
| Genre(s) | Indie pop Indie rock |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Label(s) | Arts & Crafts Le Grand Magistery Paper Bag |
| Associated acts | Broken Social Scene Memphis |
| Website | www.arts-crafts.ca/stars |
| Members | |
| Torquil Campbell Amy Millan Evan Cranley Chris Seligman Pat McGee |
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Stars is a Juno Award-nominated 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.
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[edit] Sound
Stars' music has been described as "beautiful, eloquent indie pop",[citation needed] 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.
[edit] Career
The band's breakthrough single was "Ageless Beauty", from their 2004 album Set Yourself on Fire.
Millan, Cranley and Campbell are also members of the indie band Broken Social Scene, with whom they currently share a record label, Arts & Crafts. Campbell is an actor and has appeared on the television shows Sex and the City and Law & Order. Millan released a solo album, Honey from the Tombs, in 2006.
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]
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 Coldplay in Ottawa as part of the Viva la Vida Tour.
Their single "Celebration Guns" is the title song for the television series ZOS: Zone of Separation.
[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) (2002)
- 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)
[edit] Awards
[edit] Juno Awards
The Juno Awards are presented by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Stars has received two nominations.[3][4]
| 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 one nomination.[5]
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | In Our Bedroom After the War | Polaris Music Prize | Nominated |
[edit] TV Appearances
- Beautiful Noise
- Live! At the Rehearsal Hall
- Late Night with Conan O'Brien[6]
[edit] References
- ^ Official website
- ^ Stars Battle Leaks by Releasing Digital Bedroom Today!
- ^ "The Show". CTV. http://www.ctv.ca/mini_v2/junos2004/static/the_show.html. Retrieved on 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 on 2008-07-17.
- ^ myspace.com/stars Official Myspace Page
[edit] External links
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