James Page,[1] known professionally as Sivu (pronounced see-voo), is an English singer and songwriter. He has released two studio albums, Something on High (2014) and Sweet Sweet Silent (2017). His third studio album, Wild Horse Running, was released on 9 June 2023. The album was preceded by the singles "Wild Horse Running", "Apollo", "Choral Light" and "Overtime Lover". Sivu's longtime producer and collaborator is Charlie Andrew.[2]
Sivu | |
---|---|
Birth name | James Page |
Born | 1986 (age 37–38) Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, England |
Origin | St. Ives, Cambridgeshire, England |
Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
Instrument(s) | Vocals, piano, guitar |
Years active | 2013–present |
Labels |
|
Website | sivusivu |
Early life
editJames Page was born in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire and raised in St Ives, Cambridgeshire, a small market town in England. He attended St Ivo School.[3]
Name origin
editIn a 2013 interview with the BBC, Sivu said, "I didn't like the idea of being bound by a name, I like the idea of taking it somewhere else that wasn't necessarily all about me. "Sivu" is Finnish for "Page" so that's where it came from."[4]
Career
edit2013-2015: Something on High
editSivu's first solo single was February 2013’s "Better Man Than He", described by Complex as "immediately catchy but [with] enough lyrical substance to reward multiple listens."[5] For the official music video, directed by Adam Powell, Sivu was filmed lip-synching inside an MRI scanner.[6] Sivu collaborated with Marika Hackman at the end of 2013 on the single "I Hold".[7] On 21 March 2014, Sivu released the single "Can't Stop Now". The digital single included a remix by Bombay Bicycle Club's Jack "Mr Jukes" Steadman.[8] Sivu performed at the Reading Festival in August 2014.[9][10]
Sivu's debut studio album, Something on High, was released on 10 October 2014 to generally positive reviews from critics;[11][12] Chris White, reviewing for MusicOMH, rated the album 3.5/5 stars,[13] and both The Guardian[14] and NME gave 3/5 stars.[15] Sivu then made a cameo appearance on Alt-J's second studio album, This Is All Yours, and supported the Bombay Bicycle Club on tour in December 2014.[16][17] In February 2015, he released "The Nile", featuring singer Rae Morris.[18] An official music video was released in May 2015.[19][20]
2016-2018: Sweet Sweet Silent
editSivu's second studio album, Sweet Sweet Silent, was released in 2017.[21] Emma Mackay, writing for The Guardian, rated the album 3/5 stars and called it an "eerie, subtle thing", opining "[t]hough Sivu’s own developments are not drastic, they’re certainly beguiling."[22] Sivu lives with Ménière's disease,[23] which heavily impacted and inspired the recording of Sweet Sweet Silent; as explained in his album commentary,[24] the track “summed up the feeling across the whole album,” and his “feelings of despair and uncertainty over his future."[25] The album included the singles "Childhood House",[26] "Lonesome", "Kin & Chrome"[27] and "Sweet Sweet Silent". In November 2017, Sivu performed at the Theatre Circo in Portugal, and at the Blue Bird Festival in Austria.[28]
2023: Wild Horse Running
editOn 1 February 2023, Sivu returned with the single "Wild Horse Running". "[The song] grew from this yearning to escape, whether mentally or physically I’m still unsure – but to me the image of a wild horse running is the epitome of freedom and conjures so many feelings of strength, resilience and really a triumph in physical evolution. From there the song just grew in my mind, with an almost cinematic view in my head." On 8 March 2023, he released the single "Apollo", and announced that his third studio album, titled Wild Horse Running, would be released in June 2023.[29][30] On the same day, Sivu announced he would be performing in a one-off headline show at the Courtyard Theatre, London on 14 June 2023 in celebration of his album release;[31][32] he announced the show's support act, Meadowlark on 13 April 2023.[33] Sivu released a new single, "Choral Light", on 19 April 2023.[34][35] Upon the release, he shared, "I wrote "Choral Light" just before the birth of my little boy, so I was generally quite overwhelmed with a mixture of emotions [...] This song grew from this ruminating thought I had about what I traits I would pass on to my child and how some would be good and some not and how these things would potentially stay with him for the rest of his life."[36] The album's fourth preceding single, "Overtime Lover", was released on 24 May 2023.[37][38] Clash called the song "lush [...] ambitious" and "pop at its most sincere".[39] Wild Horse Running was released on 9 June 2023. Sivu released the single "Constant Flux" on the same day.[40] The Spill Magazine rated the album 4/5 stars, opining that "Sivu bring[s] up an excellent, modern take on what [the] singer songwriter genre should sound like."[41]
On 9 August 2024, Sivu released the EP Perfect Life. The EP was preceded by singles "Lost Ones" (featuring AK Patterson) and "Little Hurricane".[42]
Personal life
editSivu has a son and, as of 2023, lives in London.[43]
In 2013, Sivu was diagnosed with Ménière's disease, a condition of the inner ear. He later wrote an article for the HuffPost: "Right now, who knows what the future holds for me? There is a possibility that I could end up being completely deaf, unable to sing or play my guitar anymore but I try not to think about it and take each day as it comes."[44]
Discography
editStudio albums
editTitle | Details |
---|---|
Something on High |
|
Sweet Sweet Silent[45] |
|
Wild Horse Running |
|
Extended plays
editTitle | Details |
---|---|
This Unfruitful Love[46] |
|
Perfect Life |
|
Singles
editTitle | Year | Album |
---|---|---|
"Better Man Than He" | 2013 | Something on High |
"I Hold"[47] (featuring Marika Hackman) |
Non-album single | |
"Can't Stop Now" | 2014 | Something on High |
"Miracle (Human Error)" | ||
"I Lost Myself" | Non-album singles | |
"The Nile" (featuring Rae Morris) |
2015 | |
"Childhood House" | 2017 | Sweet Sweet Silent |
"Lonesome" | ||
"Kin & Chrome" | ||
"Sweet Sweet Silent" | ||
"Four Leaf Clover Love" | 2018 | This Unfruitful Love / Sweet Sweet Silent: Deluxe Edition |
"Trickle" | ||
"Wild Horse Running" | 2023 | Wild Horse Running |
"Apollo" | ||
"Choral Light" | ||
"Overtime Lover" | ||
"Constant Flux" | ||
"Lost Ones" (with AK Patterson) |
2024 | Perfect Life |
"Little Hurricane" |
Guest appearances
editTitle | Year | Album |
---|---|---|
"Come Together" (Laurel featuring Sivu) [48] |
2014 | Holy Water |
"Skin" (Marika Hackman featuring Sivu) [49] |
2015 | We Slept at Last |
References
edit- ^ Lester, Paul (30 May 2013). "New band of the week: Sivu (No 1,522)". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
- ^ Milton, Jamie (19 February 2013). "Sivu talks about his first year as a songwriter; moving to London and discovering his own voice". DIY. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
- ^ Nash, Lauren (20 July 2014). "From St Ives to Reading and Leeds festivals - Former St Ivo pupil James Page talks about alter ego music star Sivu". The Hunts Post. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ Blake, Jimmy (27 September 2013). "Introducing... Sivu". BBC. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ Gardner, Constant (27 January 2013). "Sivu - "Better Man Than He"". Complex. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ Lambert, Brent (3 February 2013). "Watch SIVU's Music Video For "Better Man Than He" Animated With MRI Scans Of Him Singing". Feel Guide. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ Hobson, Benedict (26 November 2013). "Dezeen Music Project: I Hold by Sivu featuring Marika Hackman". Dezeen Music Project. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
- ^ "Sivu - Can't Stop Now". Spotify. 21 March 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
- ^ "READING FESTIVAL 2014". Music Festival Wizard. 20 August 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
- ^ Trendell, Andrew (2 July 2014). "Reading & Leeds Festival add 25 new bands and artists". Gigwise. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
- ^ "Sivu - Something on High". Apple Music. 10 October 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ Fox, Killian (12 October 2014). "Sivu: Something on High review – delicate and restrained but not entirely convincing". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ White, Chris (19 October 2014). "Sivu – Something On High". MusicOMH. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ Fox, Killian (12 October 2014). "Review - Sivu: Something on High review – delicate and restrained but not entirely convincing". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
- ^ Carson, Dan (3 October 2014). "Album Reviews: Sivu - Something on High". NME. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
- ^ Cooper, Leonie (28 October 2014). "Bombay Bicycle Club parody '2001: A Space Odyssey' in 'Home By Now' video – watch". NME. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
- ^ Harper, Simon (5 November 2014). "Breaking Into Heaven: Sivu Interviewed". Clash Magazine. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ Milton, Jamie (10 February 2015). "SIVU UNVEILS BRAND NEW TRACK, 'THE NILE', FEATURING RAE MORRIS". DIY. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
- ^ Boon, Henry (1 May 2015). "SIVU SHARES VIDEO FOR 'THE NILE' FEATURING RAE MORRIS". DIY. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
- ^ "Premiere: Sivu ft. Rae Morris - "The Nile"". Complex. 10 February 2015. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
- ^ Brown, Emma (27 June 2017). "Exclusive Video Premiere:'Sweet Sweet Silent,' Sivu". Interview Magazine. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ Mackay, Emma (9 July 2017). "Sivu: Sweet Sweet Silent review – beguiling developments". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ Dawson, Jess (12 July 2017). "Musician Sivu says a rare condition called Ménière's is threatening his career". BBC. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ "Sivu - Sweet Sweet Silent (Album Commentary)". Spotify. 6 July 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ Chan, Carmen (12 July 2017). "Today's Song: "Sweet Sweet Silent" Illuminates Sivu's Battle With Ménière's Disease". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ Day, Laurence (30 March 2017). "Sivu is back with striking new single "Childhood House" - we speak to the singer/songwriter about his time away and what to expect from his return". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
- ^ Murray, Robin (28 November 2017). "Sivu's 'Kin And Chrome' Is A Drifting, Beautiful Return". Clash. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
- ^ "Sivu Setlist". Setlist.fm. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
- ^ "British Songwriter Sivu Shares New Single 'Apollo' and Announces His Upcoming LP Wild Horse Running". The Daily Music Report. 8 March 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ "Hi everyone, I can finally announce my third album 'Wild Horse Running' will be released on Friday 9th June 2023!". Twitter. 8 March 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ "To celebrate the release of my third album, I'm going to be playing a very special London headline show at @CourtyardHoxton on the 14th of June (this is not a solo show)!!". Twitter. 8 March 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
- ^ "Sivu The Courtyard Theatre". Dice FM. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
- ^ "Chuffed to have @meadowlarkHQ and Badhead Hyland joining me on the 14th June at @CourtyardHoxton Tickets on sale now". Twitter. 13 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
- ^ "Allow me to introduce you to new song called 'Choral Light'". Twitter. 19 April 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ "Sivu - Choral Light (Single)". Apple Music. 19 April 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ Kelly, Tyler Damara (19 April 2023). "Sivu – British songwriter James Page – shares a new single from his forthcoming third studio album Wild Horse Running". The Line of Best Fit.
- ^ "Sivu - Overtime Lover". Apple Music. 24 May 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
- ^ "Please to share a new song called 'Overtime Lover' which was produced by my lovely friend @PaulTSaunders". Twitter. 24 May 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
- ^ Murray, Robin (25 May 2023). "Sivu's 'Overtime Lover' Is Pop At Its Most Sincere". Clash. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
- ^ "Sivu - Constant Flux - single". Apple Music. 9 June 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
- ^ "Spill Album Review - Sivu - Wild Horse Running". The Spill Magazine. 9 June 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
- ^ "Sivu - Perfect Life EP". Spotify. 9 August 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
- ^ Murray, Robin (February 2023). "Sivu Breaks His Silence With 'Wild Horse Running'". Clash. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ "Being A Songwriter With Hearing Loss". HuffPost. 6 July 2017. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
- ^ "Sivu - Sweet Sweet Silent (Deluxe Edition)". Apple Music. 24 August 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ "Sivu - This Unfruitful Love". Spotify. 16 February 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
- ^ Martin, Brontë (28 November 2013). "Sivu – I Hold (Ft. Marika Hackman)". Indie Shuffle. Archived from the original on 5 May 2019. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
- ^ "Laurel - Holy Water (EP)". Apple Music. 15 December 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
- ^ Milton, Jamie (9 February 2015). "MARIKA HACKMAN COLLABORATES WITH SIVU ON NEW TRACK, 'SKIN'". DIY. Retrieved 20 April 2023.