Marketing
SYLVER -MAKE IT
THE SYLVER STORY: ACCORDING TO WOUT AND SYLVIE
heres the story from the horses mouth:
Ladies first so take it away Sylvie
Sylvie: So you want to know the story so far about Sylver?
Journalist: Just let it rip Sil, no holds barred
Sylvie: After six fantastic years its hard to know where to start Journalist: Well if its any help Ive always found the beginning pretty useful. Sylvie: I had some really great times with Sylver, too many to mention in fact, but there are a few things that Id like to share with our faithful fans.
Journalist: This is what we want! Go for it!!!
Sylvie: You know its really strange how Sylver came into being. It was pure coincidence. I never planned to become an internationally acclaimed singer, such ambitions were beyond my wildest dreams, it just sort of happened, pure luck.
Journalist: That and a serious portion of great talent, real talent always finds a way out.
Sylvie: A long while back I decided to sing in some vocals for a DJ that I hardly knew at the time. Wout was just looking for a singer to record some vocals for a new dance track that he was working on. I decided to give it a blast just for the hell of it. Nobody will know its me anyway I thought. To everyones surprise and delight Turn the tide became a huge club hit throughout Europe. I really didnt know what was going down. All of a sudden there were plans for a single, and album and a video clip. I was thinking of retaining my anonymity, and then all of a sudden everyone appeared to know who I was. I got mobbed in a shopping centre in Germany by hoards of fans. Absolute madness!!! I really didnt have a clue what was happening to me. We were playing gigs on the same bill as artists that Id admired for years like Alicia keys, who I still remember having a chat with backstage before her performance. She was lovely. She actually watched our gig too, great memories. In one year I did all the things that young girls and guys dream about, red carpets, screaming fans, photo shoots, golden records and recording albums. On top of that I got to see some amazing countries, we travelled all through Europe, South Africa, Singapore, Malaysia, Canada, to many countries that I cant remember them all. I couldnt get over the fact that wherever we went people knew our music and us. Every time that I checked the guest book on our site it was full of messages from fans around the world. I still make a point of reading and answering fan mail every week
Its a shame that I cant be everywhere at once so that I could personally visit all our fans. I never forget that its thanks to them that weve tone all the incredible things weve done; its thanks to them that Ive got the best job in the world. Last year was hard work though. I spent more time in hotel rooms than I did at home, really missed friends and family. Caused me two ulcers in one year. Actually ended up in hospital with severe fatigue. Despite that Id do it all again because despite all the adversity I enjoyed each and every moment.
Journalist: Heavy going Sil, what about Sylver then and now?
Sylvie: Thankfully Sylver hasnt changed all that much through the years, and I think that thats the secret of our success. Weve stayed true to ourselves. Ive learned and experienced so much. If experience was hard cash Id be rich. Moreover I never get bored with any of it, I love every second of being in Sylver. I want to get more experience, record more songs because I sincerely enjoy the whole process. During the recording of our latest CD album Ive been writing new material simply because its something that gives me immense pleasure. Dont ask we which Sylver song I like the most
Journalist: Whats your favourite Sylver song?
Sylvie: I knew that you were going to ask me that. Well truth be known I wouldnt know where to start, anyway every Sylver song has a special meaning for me personally. Theyre all great. More importantly Im particularly proud of our new album, I cant wait to share it with all our loyal fans.
Journalist: Thanks and best of luck Sylvie. So over to you Wout. What can you tell us about Sylver?
Wout: As I look back over the past few years, and more recently the production of our last album, it's hard to ignore the significant changes that have occurred in the music-scene. Weve just finished album nr 4, which will probably be titled "CROSSROADS"; that title is very poignant and meaningful because it refers to the fact that we really are, professionally and personally, standing at a crossroad. With Silvy getting married this year and my DJ-career reaching new heights, I feel that things are going through a period of transition. This will probably have a knock on effect for the future of Sylver. It's to say the least very unusual for a dance-group to release 4 albums, but we were able to achieve this thanks to our magnificent worldwide fan base. Although I admit its been a struggle to redefine the Sylver-sound on CROSSROADS, we all have high expectations, as we have yet again created a few very strong anthems. At least I hope the fans share my opinion :-).
Journalist: Im sure they will. What will another new CD entail? Wout: A new album means a new year of doing shows, touring, giving global performances. I must say though that we feel really comfortable on stage these days. When we get up there it simply comes together like magic and were eager to test your eardrums again. Every show feels like a "greatest hits"-show for us, thanks to the huge repertoire of hits that we've built up over the years.
Journalist: Dare I ask whats your favorite Sylver song?
Wout: It's impossible to pick one favourite song.
Journalist: Go onhave a go.
Wout: I think that Silvy and myself prefer the sing-along stuff that gets the audience going, like Turn the Tide, Forgiven, Love is an Angel, Why worry...The feedback and energy we get from the crowd when we play those songs is really breathtaking. And I hope we have a few instant- Classics on CROSSROADS as well, but time will tell.
Journalist: Has Sylvers career always been plain sailing? Wout: We've had our ups and downs over the last few years. Doesnt everybody, were only human?
Journalist: They do indeed. Very pragmatic. What about the good times?
Wout: Getting a golden album for Chances in Germany was a personal highlight, and being able to present our music live in places such as Singapore, Canada, Russia, and South Africa. The other side of the medallion is of course the tumultuous survival test of touring. Sleep deprivation, abnormal routines and unusual food that gnaws away at your system. Brian McFadden hit the nail on the head with his song "Real to me"; I could empathize with him on that, its very familiar. It's also very hard to make real friends in the bizz, because the music industry clique changes jobs as often as they change their underwear. This means that every time we got close to some new colleagues, they moved on, took another position with other labels etc. It wasnt always wise to get too close though because of the underwear problem. Thats a shame because one really does get close to them. On a brighter note we were lucky to be able to work with very talented and patient people (shooting videos, doing promo with our German friends). The Sylver edge on team spirit was and still is a particularly strong factor.
Journalist: Its great to hear an artist speaking from the heart, what about the future?
Wout: On the 12th of May well be celebrating our 6th anniversary as a band, and I suppose were all wondering what the future will bring, apart from the usual post party hangovers, which I must admit Ive learned to deal with quite well. Im getting used to waking up with a head like a bag of smashed crabs. Its one of the certainties in life, if you tip the bucket theres bound to be a spill but knowing how to clear it up helps :-).
Journalist: Great stuff, best of luck to you both.
Well that was the interview bit over, now the album review. It looks like Sylver have done it again. Its a time-honoured formula but one that works here exceptionally well. With CROSSROADS Sylver have expanded the parameters of popular dance music and taken it to new soaring heights. CROSSROADS is a pure pleasure to listen to and you dont have to work too hard to enjoy it. Ever since their genesis with Turn the tide theyve managed where other dance acts have failed miserably, managed to innovate and entertain at every available step of the way. Consistency is the true mark of a professional and Sylver are REAL professionals.
Post je objavljen 15.05.2008. u 08:11 sati.