Sivu

Sivu
Birth nameJames Page
Born1986 (age 37–38)
Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, England
OriginSt. Ives, Cambridgeshire, England
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, piano, guitar
Years active2013–present
Labels
Websitesivusivu.co.uk

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]

Early life

[edit]

James 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

[edit]

In 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

[edit]

2013-2015: Something on High

[edit]

Sivu'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

[edit]

Sivu'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

[edit]

On 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] Sivu tweeted about the release of the EP, "This EP was built upon small ideas and the approach of working on something quietly and as simply as possible."[43]

Personal life

[edit]

Sivu has a son and, as of 2023, lives in London.[44]

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."[45]

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
List of studio albums, with selected details
Title Details
Something on High
  • Released: 10 October 2014
  • Label: Atlantic Records
  • Format: Digital download, CD, vinyl
Sweet Sweet Silent[46]
  • Released: 7 July 2017
  • Label: Square Leg Records Ltd
  • Format: Digital download, CD, vinyl
Wild Horse Running
  • Released: 9 June 2023
  • Label: Square Leg Records Ltd
  • Format: Digital download, CD

Extended plays

[edit]
List of extended plays, with selected details
Title Details
This Unfruitful Love[47]
  • Released: 16 February 2018
  • Label: Square Leg Records
  • Format: Digital download
Perfect Life
  • Released: 9 August 2024
  • Label: Square Leg Records
  • Format: Digital download

Singles

[edit]
List of singles as lead artist, showing year released and originating album
Title Year Album
"Better Man Than He" 2013 Something on High
"I Hold"[48]
(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

[edit]
Title Year Album
"Come Together"
(Laurel featuring Sivu) [49] 		2014 Holy Water
"Skin"
(Marika Hackman featuring Sivu) [50] 		2015 We Slept at Last

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Lester, Paul (30 May 2013). "New band of the week: Sivu (No 1,522)". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ Blake, Jimmy (27 September 2013). "Introducing... Sivu". BBC. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  5. ^ Gardner, Constant (27 January 2013). "Sivu - "Better Man Than He"". Complex. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ Hobson, Benedict (26 November 2013). "Dezeen Music Project: I Hold by Sivu featuring Marika Hackman". Dezeen Music Project. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  8. ^ "Sivu - Can't Stop Now". Spotify. 21 March 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  9. ^ "READING FESTIVAL 2014". Music Festival Wizard. 20 August 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  10. ^ Trendell, Andrew (2 July 2014). "Reading & Leeds Festival add 25 new bands and artists". Gigwise. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  11. ^ "Sivu - Something on High". Apple Music. 10 October 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  12. ^ Fox, Killian (12 October 2014). "Sivu: Something on High review – delicate and restrained but not entirely convincing". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  13. ^ White, Chris (19 October 2014). "Sivu – Something On High". MusicOMH. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  14. ^ Fox, Killian (12 October 2014). "Review - Sivu: Something on High review – delicate and restrained but not entirely convincing". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  15. ^ Carson, Dan (3 October 2014). "Album Reviews: Sivu - Something on High". NME. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  16. ^ Cooper, Leonie (28 October 2014). "Bombay Bicycle Club parody '2001: A Space Odyssey' in 'Home By Now' video – watch". NME. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  17. ^ Harper, Simon (5 November 2014). "Breaking Into Heaven: Sivu Interviewed". Clash Magazine. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  18. ^ Milton, Jamie (10 February 2015). "SIVU UNVEILS BRAND NEW TRACK, 'THE NILE', FEATURING RAE MORRIS". DIY. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  19. ^ Boon, Henry (1 May 2015). "SIVU SHARES VIDEO FOR 'THE NILE' FEATURING RAE MORRIS". DIY. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  20. ^ "Premiere: Sivu ft. Rae Morris - "The Nile"". Complex. 10 February 2015. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  21. ^ Brown, Emma (27 June 2017). "Exclusive Video Premiere:'Sweet Sweet Silent,' Sivu". Interview Magazine. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  22. ^ Mackay, Emma (9 July 2017). "Sivu: Sweet Sweet Silent review – beguiling developments". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  23. ^ Dawson, Jess (12 July 2017). "Musician Sivu says a rare condition called Ménière's is threatening his career". BBC. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  24. ^ "Sivu - Sweet Sweet Silent (Album Commentary)". Spotify. 6 July 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  25. ^ 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.
  26. ^ 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.
  27. ^ Murray, Robin (28 November 2017). "Sivu's 'Kin And Chrome' Is A Drifting, Beautiful Return". Clash. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  28. ^ "Sivu Setlist". Setlist.fm. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
  29. ^ "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.
  30. ^ "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.
  31. ^ "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.
  32. ^ "Sivu The Courtyard Theatre". Dice FM. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  33. ^ "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.
  34. ^ "Allow me to introduce you to new song called 'Choral Light'". Twitter. 19 April 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  35. ^ "Sivu - Choral Light (Single)". Apple Music. 19 April 2023. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  36. ^ 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.
  37. ^ "Sivu - Overtime Lover". Apple Music. 24 May 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  38. ^ "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.
  39. ^ Murray, Robin (25 May 2023). "Sivu's 'Overtime Lover' Is Pop At Its Most Sincere". Clash. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  40. ^ "Sivu - Constant Flux - single". Apple Music. 9 June 2023. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  41. ^ "Spill Album Review - Sivu - Wild Horse Running". The Spill Magazine. 9 June 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  42. ^ "Sivu - Perfect Life EP". Spotify. 9 August 2024. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
  43. ^ "Perfect Life is out! This EP was built upon small ideas and the approach of working on something quietly and as simply as possible. I hope you like it". X. 9 August 2024. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  44. ^ Murray, Robin (February 2023). "Sivu Breaks His Silence With 'Wild Horse Running'". Clash. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  45. ^ "Being A Songwriter With Hearing Loss". HuffPost. 6 July 2017. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  46. ^ "Sivu - Sweet Sweet Silent (Deluxe Edition)". Apple Music. 24 August 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  47. ^ "Sivu - This Unfruitful Love". Spotify. 16 February 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  48. ^ 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.
  49. ^ "Laurel - Holy Water (EP)". Apple Music. 15 December 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  50. ^ Milton, Jamie (9 February 2015). "MARIKA HACKMAN COLLABORATES WITH SIVU ON NEW TRACK, 'SKIN'". DIY. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
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