British Stars: Lucie Silvas

A singer-songwriter who started her career in pop music, Lucie Silvas transitioned to country music with her third album Letters to Ghosts. She has toured with Little Big Town, Chris Stapleton and Miranda Lambert, and has written songs for artists like Reba McEntire and Martina McBride.

lucie silvas in utrecht 2006
Lucie Silvas in utrecht 2006

 

Lucie Silvas is a British singer-songwriter who has been making waves in the music scene for over two decades. With a distinctive voice and a knack for crafting catchy melodies and heartfelt lyrics, she has sold almost two million albums in Europe and won fans across the globe. In 2015, she moved to Nashville to explore new musical horizons and collaborate with some of the most acclaimed artists in the industry. Her latest releases showcase her versatility and authenticity as an artist who defies genres and follows her own rules. In this article, we will take a closer look at her life, career and music.

Early Life

Lucie Silvas was born on 4 September 1977 in Kingston upon Thames, England. Her father is from New Zealand and is of Jewish descent, and her mother is Scottish and is Christian. She learned to play piano at the age of 5, and wrote her first song by age 10. She grew up listening to a variety of music, from classical to pop to soul to country. She cites Carole King, Elton John, Aretha Franklin and Dolly Parton as some of her influences. She moved several times between her parents’ native countries and England, which gave her a diverse cultural background and a sense of adventure. She attended Surbiton High School and later studied music at the BRIT School.

Early Career and Success

Lucie Silvas started her professional career in 2000, when she signed to EMI Records and released her first single, “It’s Too Late”, which reached number 62 on the UK Singles Chart. However, her contract was terminated after the poor reception of the single, and she decided to focus on songwriting instead. She signed a publishing deal with Chrysalis Records and wrote songs for several British artists, such as Sarah Whatmore, Will Young, Gareth Gates, Rachel Stevens and Liberty X. Some of her songs became chart hits, such as “Evergreen” by Will Young, which was the UK’s best-selling single of 2002. In 2003, she recorded a duet with the Spanish singer Natalia called “This Time”, and also wrote the first single off Natalia’s third album, “Sombras”. The same year, she also wrote “I’m Not Your Girlfriend” for the Spanish singer Cristie.

Lucie Silvas made her breakthrough as a solo artist in 2004, when she signed to Mercury Records and released her second album, Breathe In, which was considered her official debut album. The album was produced by Mike Peden and co-written with Judie Tzuke, who was one of her mentors and friends. The album was a hit in several countries, especially in the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom, where it reached number 11 on the UK Albums Chart and was certified platinum.

The lead single, “What You’re Made Of“, was also a success, peaking at number 7 on the UK Singles Chart and becoming one of the most played songs on British radio. The album also spawned three more singles: “Breathe In”, “The Game Is Won” and “Don’t Look Back”. Silvas received critical acclaim and public recognition for her album, and performed on several TV shows and radio stations. She also toured extensively to promote her album, both as a headliner and as a supporting act for artists like Jamie Cullum, Lionel Richie and Elton John.

In Concert

lucie silvas amsterdam paradiso 12 oct 2006

Lucie Silvas is known for her captivating and energetic live shows, where she showcases her vocal range and musical skills. She plays piano and mandolin on stage, and often interacts with the audience and shares stories behind her songs. She also covers songs by some of her favorite artists, such as Carole King, Elton John, Aretha Franklin and Dolly Parton. One of her most memorable performances was at the Radio 2 concert in 2006, where she sang a stunning rendition of Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters“. She has also performed at several festivals and events, such as Glastonbury, V Festival, Isle of Wight Festival and Live 8.

A Change of Direction

Lucie Silvas continued her musical journey with her second album, The Same Side, which was released in 2006. The album was co-produced by Danton Supple and featured collaborations with Jamie Hartman, Eg White and Gary Clark. The album was more pop-oriented than her previous one, and explored themes of love, loss and self-discovery. The album was well-received in the Netherlands, where it reached number 8 on the Dutch Albums Chart and was certified gold. The lead single, “Last Year”, was also a hit in the Netherlands, peaking at number 6 on the Dutch Singles Chart. The album also included a duet with Marco Borsato, “Everytime I Think of You”, which topped the Dutch Singles Chart for six weeks and became one of the best-selling singles of 2006 in the Netherlands. However, the album was not initially released in the United Kingdom or the United States, due to disagreements with her record label. Silvas decided to part ways with Mercury Records and take a break from the music industry.

A Fresh Start

Lucie Silvas returned to the music scene in 2015, with her fourth album, Letters To Ghosts, which was her first independent album. The album was recorded in Nashville, where she moved with her husband John Osborne, who is one half of the country duo Brothers Osborne. The album was influenced by country, Americana and roots music, and featured songs co-written with Natalie Hemby, Caitlyn Smith and Kacey Musgraves. The album was praised by critics and fellow artists for its honesty, emotion and creativity. Rolling Stone called it “a stunning collection of songs that showcase Silvas’ powerful vocals and insightful songwriting”. The album also marked her debut in the US market, where she received airplay on SiriusXM and CMT. She also toured extensively in the US and Europe, opening for artists like Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Chris Stapleton and Anderson East.

album ego cover
E.G.O. Album Cover

Lucie Silvas followed up her success with her fifth album, E.G.O., which was released in 2018. The album was co-produced by Silvas and Jon Green, and featured collaborations with Ian Fitchuk, Daniel Tashian and JD McPherson. The album was a bold and eclectic mix of pop, rock, soul and country, and showcased Silvas’ rafter-shattering vocals and genre-defying musical landscapes. Newsweek claimed “it doesn’t matter what you call this kind of music – other than great!” The album also included a duet with Tom Odell, “Just For The Record”, which was a fan favorite. Silvas also directed and produced the videos for the singles “Kite”, “First Rate Heartbreak” and “Black Jeans”. She also performed at several festivals and events, such as AmericanaFest, C2C and Live In The Vineyard. She also supported artists like Chris Stapleton, Brandi Carlile, Sheryl Crow and James Bay on tour.

Going into the project, Silvas spoke about the album in an interview with The Boot:

“No one knew what the concept was, even my manager didn’t really know. We just went ahead and did it, and the record label, Thirty Tigers, saw it afterwards.They had no notion what it would be. With fewer cooks in the kitchen, I feel like we could be really creative with it.”

The Future for Lucie Silva

Lucie Silvas is currently working on her sixth studio album, which is expected to be released in 2023. She has already released three songs from the album: “Home Truths“, “Cool Down” and “We Don’t Know We’re Living“. The songs reflect her personal and artistic growth, and feature collaborations with Sheryl Crow and Brandi Carlile. She has also performed the songs live on various platforms, such as The Kelly Clarkson Show, The Bobby Bones Show and The Grand Ole Opry. She has also been active on social media, sharing updates and insights with her fans.

Lucie Silvas is a talented, versatile and authentic artist who has proven herself in the music industry for over two decades. She has a loyal fan base and a respected reputation among her peers. She is always exploring new musical horizons and following her own rules. She is an artist worth listening to and following. If you want to discover more about her music and her story, you can visit her website luciesilvas.com or follow her on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

She recently wrote:

Every album I’ve made was born from my lifelong passion of songwriting with my own sound and soul in tow. The next step is about finding a way to honesty and openness about who I am in a world that can make me want to keep my guard up. With every song I write, I’m breaking down that wall.

 

Listen to Luce Silvas

 

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