Stars (band)
Encyclopedia
Stars is an indie pop
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
, where they are currently based.
, with whom they once shared a record label, Arts & Crafts
. Campbell is an actor who has appeared on the television shows Sex and the City
and Law & Order
. Millan has released two solo albums, Honey from the Tombs
in 2006 and Masters of the Burial
in 2009.
On their website, the band has noted that their name was chosen with prior knowledge of the short-lived project
by Syd Barrett
. 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. The CD release included a bonus DVD.
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 the British superstars Coldplay
in Ottawa, Ontario as part of the Viva la Vida Tour
.
Their single "Celebration Guns" is the title song for the television series ZOS: Zone of Separation
and was provided for free as part of a collaboration with Moms Against Climate Change.
Stars have covered The Smiths
"Asleep" for American Laundromat Records
charity CD "Sing Me To Sleep - Indie Lullabies". The CD was released worldwide on May 18, 2010.
On March 9, 2010, Pitchfork Media
reported that the band would be releasing their fifth studio album, The Five Ghosts
, on June 22, 2010. In Canada, the album was released via Soft Revolution, the band's own new label. It has been distributed worldwide via Vagrant Records
.
(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
.
Their songs have been featured on Queer as Folk (2000 TV series), The O.C.
, Warehouse 13
, Degrassi: The Next Generation
, Degrassi: Now or Never, Gossip Girl
, The Vampire Diaries
, Skins
and Chuck
.
s are presented by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
. Stars has received two nominations.
|-
| || Heart
|| Alternative Album of the Year ||
|-
| || Set Yourself on Fire
|| Alternative Album of the Year ||
is awarded annually to the best full-length Canadian album based on artistic merit. Stars has received two nominations.
|-
| || In Our Bedroom After the War
|| Polaris Music Prize ||
|-
| || The Five Ghosts
|| Polaris Music Prize ||
Indie pop
Indie pop is a genre of alternative rock music that originated in the United Kingdom in the mid 1980s, with its roots in the Scottish post-punk bands on the Postcard Records label in the early '80s, such as Orange Juice, Josef K and Aztec Camera, and the dominant UK independent band of the mid...
band
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
from Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Originally formed in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
by vocalist Torquil Campbell
Torquil Campbell
Torquil Campbell is the lead singer and songwriter for the Montreal-based indie rock band Stars. He also records and performs with Broken Social Scene. In addition to singing, he also plays the melodica and trumpet...
and keyboardist Chris Seligman, the band relocated to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and then subsequently to Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, where they are currently based.
History
All members of the band are also members of the indie band Broken Social SceneBroken Social Scene
Broken Social Scene is a Canadian indie rock band, a musical collective including as few as six and as many as nineteen members, formed in 1999 by Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning. Most of its members currently play in various other groups and solo projects, mainly based around the city of Toronto...
, with whom they once shared a record label, Arts & Crafts
Arts & Crafts (record label)
Arts & Crafts Productions is a Toronto-based independent artist services company, offering expertise as an independent record label, management firm, merchandiser and music publisher both in Canada and internationally...
. Campbell is an actor who has appeared on the television shows Sex and the City
Sex and the City
Sex and the City is an American television comedy-drama series created by Darren Star and produced by HBO. Broadcast from 1998 until 2004, the original run of the show had a total of ninety-four episodes...
and Law & Order
Law & Order
Law & Order is an American police procedural and legal drama television series, created by Dick Wolf and part of the Law & Order franchise. It aired on NBC, and in syndication on various cable networks. Law & Order premiered on September 13, 1990, and completed its 20th and final season on May 24,...
. Millan has released two solo albums, Honey from the Tombs
Honey From the Tombs
Honey from the Tombs is the debut solo album by Canadian singer Amy Millan from the bands Stars and Broken Social Scene. It was released on May 30, 2006 on the Arts & Crafts record label.-Track listing:#"Losin You" #"Skinny Boy"...
in 2006 and Masters of the Burial
Masters of the Burial
Masters of the Burial is the second solo album from Canadian musician Amy Millan of Stars and Broken Social Scene. It was released in Canada on September 8, 2009, on the Arts & Crafts label and features guest performances by Stars bandmate Evan Cranley, Leslie Feist and others.Produced by Martin...
in 2009.
On their website, the band has noted that their name was chosen with prior knowledge of the short-lived project
Stars (UK band)
Stars was a short-lived British supergroup that played a small number of live concerts in Cambridge in February 1972. Its members were Syd Barrett on guitar, Twink on drums, and Jack Monck on bass.-Beginnings:...
by Syd Barrett
Syd Barrett
Syd Barrett , born Roger Keith Barrett, was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, and painter, best remembered as a founding member of the band Pink Floyd. He was the lead vocalist, guitarist and primary songwriter during the band's psychedelic years, providing major musical and stylistic...
. They have cited a wide variety of musical likes and influences ranging from Berlioz to Outkast
OutKast
Outkast is an American hip hop duo based in East Point, Georgia, consisting of Atlanta native André "André 3000" Benjamin and Savannah, Georgia-born Antwan "Big Boi" Patton. They were originally known as Two Shades Deep but later changed the group's name to OutKast...
, citing among others Barrett, Paddy McAloon
Paddy McAloon
Paddy McAloon is an English singer-songwriter and member of the band Prefab Sprout. Allmusic describes him as "one of the most underrated lyricists of the '80s".-Career:...
, New Order
New Order
New Order are an English rock band formed in 1980 by Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris...
, The Smiths
The Smiths
The Smiths were an English alternative rock band, formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the song writing partnership of Morrissey and Johnny Marr , the band also included Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce...
, Brian Wilson
Brian Wilson
Brian Douglas Wilson is an American musician, best known as the leader and chief songwriter of the group The Beach Boys. Within the band, Wilson played bass and keyboards, also providing part-time lead vocals and, more often, backing vocals, harmonizing in falsetto with the group...
, Momus
Momus (artist)
Nick Currie , more popularly known under the artist name Momus , is a songwriter, blogger and former journalist for Wired...
, and Broken Social Scene
Broken Social Scene
Broken Social Scene is a Canadian indie rock band, a musical collective including as few as six and as many as nineteen members, formed in 1999 by Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning. Most of its members currently play in various other groups and solo projects, mainly based around the city of Toronto...
. They covered The Smiths' "This Charming Man
This Charming Man
"This Charming Man" is a song by the English band The Smiths, written by guitarist Johnny Marr and singer/lyricist Morrissey. It was released as the group's second single in October 1983 on the independent record label Rough Trade...
" on 2001's Nightsongs and The Pogues' "Fairytale of New York
Fairytale of New York
"Fairytale of New York" is a song by the Irish rock group The Pogues, released in 1987 and featuring the British singer Kirsty MacColl. The song is an Irish folk style ballad, written by Jem Finer and Shane MacGowan, and featured on The Pogues' album If I Should Fall from Grace with God...
" 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
In Our Bedroom After the War
In Our Bedroom After the War is the fourth studio album by Stars, released on September 25, 2007 on the Arts & Crafts record label. It was released to digital retailers on July 10, 2007, in an attempt to battle the album's leak...
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. The CD release included a bonus DVD.
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 the British superstars Coldplay
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
in Ottawa, Ontario as part of the Viva la Vida Tour
Viva la Vida Tour
Viva la Vida Tour was the fourth concert tour by English band Coldplay. The tour was in support their fourth studio album Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends. The tour was a massive commercial and critical success visiting Europe, Asia, the Americas and Australasia...
.
Their single "Celebration Guns" is the title song for the television series ZOS: Zone of Separation
ZOS: Zone of Separation
ZOS: Zone of Separation is a Canadian television drama mini-series, co-executive produced by Paul Gross.It is an eight-part Canadian original drama mini-series about the life and death struggle to enforce a U.N.-brokered ceasefire in the fictional, Sarajevo-like town of Jadac.-Plot:ZOS is a...
and was provided for free as part of a collaboration with Moms Against Climate Change.
Stars have covered The Smiths
The Smiths
The Smiths were an English alternative rock band, formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the song writing partnership of Morrissey and Johnny Marr , the band also included Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce...
"Asleep" for American Laundromat Records
American Laundromat Records
American Laundromat Records is an indie label based in Mystic, CT.The label has produced several tribute albums, including Dig For Fire - a tribute to PIXIES, Cinnamon Girl - Women Artists Cover Neil Young, and High School Reunion - A Tribute to Those Great 80's Films...
charity CD "Sing Me To Sleep - Indie Lullabies". The CD was released worldwide on May 18, 2010.
On March 9, 2010, Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
reported that the band would be releasing their fifth studio album, The Five Ghosts
The Five Ghosts
-Bonus tracks:#"You Do It to Me and I Do It to You Too" [iTunes pre-order only]#"Asleep" [Limited Edition 7" Box Set Exclusive] [Also available as part of the compilation, "Sing Me To Sleep: Indie Lullabies"]-The Seance EP:...
, on June 22, 2010. In Canada, the album was released via Soft Revolution, the band's own new label. It has been distributed worldwide via Vagrant Records
Vagrant Records
Vagrant Records is an indie rock label based in Los Angeles, California and is home to such artists as The Hold Steady, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Active Child, PJ Harvey, Reptar, School of Seven Bells, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Thrice, James Vincent McMorrow, Placebo, and many...
.
Musical style and influence
Stars' music has been described as "beautiful, eloquent indie pop", 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 NightsongsNightsongs (Stars album)
Nightsongs is the first album by Canadian indie rock band Stars, released in 2001 on Le Grand Magistery. At this time, Stars consisted only of Torquil Campbell and Chris Seligman, although both Amy Millan and Emily Haines of Metric make appearances. There is also a very rare vinyl pressing of the...
(released on Le Grand Magistery
Le Grand Magistery
Le Grand Magistery is an independent record label operating out of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan since 1996. They have been home to a number of artists including A Cuckoo, A Girl Called Eddy, Always, Baxendale, The Blood Group, Cinéma Vérité, Computer Perfection, Flare, Kahimi Karie, Le Concorde,...
record label) to more rock-based instrumentation on their following three full-length albums, reflecting the permanent additions of singer-guitarist Amy Millan
Amy Millan
Amy Millan is a Canadian indie rock singer and guitarist. She records and performs with the bands Stars and Broken Social Scene as well as having a successful solo career. Her second solo album, Masters of the Burial, was released by Arts & Crafts Records in September 2009.- Early life :Amy Millan...
and bassist Evan Cranley
Evan Cranley
Evan Cranley is a Canadian musician based in Montreal, Quebec. He records with the bands Stars and Broken Social Scene, although he considered joining the band Metric before finally joining Stars. His partner is currently Stars bandmate Amy Millan....
on Heart
Heart (Stars album)
Heart is an album by the Canadian indie rock band Stars, released on Paper Bag Records in Canada and on Arts & Crafts in the USA.The album features three regional covers; the Canadian cover features a man embracing a woman resting on his lap, the US cover features a billboard with a girl's eyes...
(released on Paper Bag Records
Paper Bag Records
Paper Bag Records is a Canadian independent record label and artist-management company, founded in 2002 and based in Toronto, Ontario.-History:...
), and eventually drummer Pat McGee on Set Yourself on Fire
Set Yourself on Fire
Set Yourself on Fire is the third album by Canadian indie rock band Stars. It was released in 2004 on the Arts & Crafts International record label in Canada and the United Kingdom, and in 2005 in the United States....
.
Their songs have been featured on Queer as Folk (2000 TV series), The O.C.
The O.C.
The O.C. is an American teen drama television series that originally aired on the Fox television network in the United States from August 5, 2003, to February 21, 2007, running a total of four seasons...
, Warehouse 13
Warehouse 13
Warehouse 13 is an American fantasy television series that premiered on July 7, 2009 on the Syfy network.Executive-produced by Jack Kenny and David Simkins, the dramatic comedy from Universal Media Studios has been described as borrowing much from 1980s television series Friday the 13th: The...
, Degrassi: The Next Generation
Degrassi: The Next Generation
Degrassi: The Next Generation is a Canadian teen drama television series set in the Degrassi universe, which was created by Linda Schuyler and Kit Hood in 1979. Degrassi is the fourth fictional series in the Degrassi franchise, and follows The Kids of Degrassi Street, Degrassi Junior High, and...
, Degrassi: Now or Never, Gossip Girl
Gossip Girl (TV series)
Gossip Girl is an American teen drama television series based on the book series of the same name written by Cecily von Ziegesar. The series was created by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, and premiered on The CW on September 19, 2007...
, The Vampire Diaries
The Vampire Diaries
The Vampire Diaries is a young adult vampire horror series of novels written by L. J. Smith. The story centers around Elena Gilbert, a high school girl torn between two vampire brothers. The series was originally a trilogy published in 1991, but pressure from readers led Smith to write a fourth...
, Skins
Skins (TV series)
Skins is a BAFTA award-winning British teen drama that follows a group of teenagers in Bristol, South West England, through the two years of college. The controversial plot line explores issues such as dysfunctional families, mental illness , adolescent sexuality, substance abuse and death...
and Chuck
Chuck (TV series)
Chuck is an action-comedy/spy-drama television program from the United States created by Josh Schwartz and Chris Fedak. The series is about an "average computer-whiz-next-door" named Chuck, played by Zachary Levi, who receives an encoded e-mail from an old college friend now working for the Central...
.
Discography
- A Lot of Little Lies for the Sake of One Big TruthA Lot of Little Lies For the Sake of One Big TruthA Lot of Little Lies for the Sake of One Big Truth is an EP by the Canadian indie rock band Stars, released in 2001 on Le Grand Magistery Records....
(EP) (2001) - NightsongsNightsongs (Stars album)Nightsongs is the first album by Canadian indie rock band Stars, released in 2001 on Le Grand Magistery. At this time, Stars consisted only of Torquil Campbell and Chris Seligman, although both Amy Millan and Emily Haines of Metric make appearances. There is also a very rare vinyl pressing of the...
(2001) - The ComebackThe Comeback EPThe Comeback EP is an EP by the Canadian indie rock band Stars, released in 2001 on Le Grand Magistery Records.-Track listing:...
(EP) (2001) - Dead Child StarsDead Child StarsDead Child Stars is an EP by Canadian indie rock band Stars, released in 2003 on Paper Bag Records. It was released as a special collector's item available only on the band's 2003 concert tour, and was not sold in stores, except as a bonus item available with pre-order of Heart from HMV Canada's...
(EP) (2003) - HeartHeart (Stars album)Heart is an album by the Canadian indie rock band Stars, released on Paper Bag Records in Canada and on Arts & Crafts in the USA.The album features three regional covers; the Canadian cover features a man embracing a woman resting on his lap, the US cover features a billboard with a girl's eyes...
(2003) - Set Yourself on FireSet Yourself on FireSet Yourself on Fire is the third album by Canadian indie rock band Stars. It was released in 2004 on the Arts & Crafts International record label in Canada and the United Kingdom, and in 2005 in the United States....
(2004) - Do You Trust Your Friends?Do You Trust Your Friends?Do You Trust Your Friends? is the first remix album released by Stars consisting of covers and remixes from Stars' 2004 album Set Yourself on Fire. It was released in 2007 on the Arts & Crafts label in North America to average reviews.-Track listing:...
(Remix album) (2007) - In Our Bedroom after the WarIn Our Bedroom after the WarIn Our Bedroom After the War is the fourth studio album by Stars, released on September 25, 2007 on the Arts & Crafts record label. It was released to digital retailers on July 10, 2007, in an attempt to battle the album's leak...
(2007) - Sad Robots (EP) (2008)
- Fairytale of New YorkFairytale of New York"Fairytale of New York" is a song by the Irish rock group The Pogues, released in 1987 and featuring the British singer Kirsty MacColl. The song is an Irish folk style ballad, written by Jem Finer and Shane MacGowan, and featured on The Pogues' album If I Should Fall from Grace with God...
(Cover) (2009) - The SéanceThe Five Ghosts-Bonus tracks:#"You Do It to Me and I Do It to You Too" [iTunes pre-order only]#"Asleep" [Limited Edition 7" Box Set Exclusive] [Also available as part of the compilation, "Sing Me To Sleep: Indie Lullabies"]-The Seance EP:...
(EP) (2010) - The Five GhostsThe Five Ghosts-Bonus tracks:#"You Do It to Me and I Do It to You Too" [iTunes pre-order only]#"Asleep" [Limited Edition 7" Box Set Exclusive] [Also available as part of the compilation, "Sing Me To Sleep: Indie Lullabies"]-The Seance EP:...
(June 22, 2010) - The Bedroom Demos (June 7, 2011)
Juno nominations
The Juno AwardJuno Award
The Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music...
s are presented by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences is the organization responsible for conducting the Juno Awards, Canada's primary national musical honours...
. Stars has received two nominations.
|-
| || Heart
Heart (Stars album)
Heart is an album by the Canadian indie rock band Stars, released on Paper Bag Records in Canada and on Arts & Crafts in the USA.The album features three regional covers; the Canadian cover features a man embracing a woman resting on his lap, the US cover features a billboard with a girl's eyes...
|| Alternative Album of the Year ||
|-
| || Set Yourself on Fire
Set Yourself on Fire
Set Yourself on Fire is the third album by Canadian indie rock band Stars. It was released in 2004 on the Arts & Crafts International record label in Canada and the United Kingdom, and in 2005 in the United States....
|| Alternative Album of the Year ||
Polaris Music Prizes
The Polaris Music PrizePolaris Music Prize
The Polaris Music Prize is a music award annually given to the best full-length Canadian album based on artistic merit, regardless of genre, sales, or record label...
is awarded annually to the best full-length Canadian album based on artistic merit. Stars has received two nominations.
|-
| || In Our Bedroom After the War
In Our Bedroom After the War
In Our Bedroom After the War is the fourth studio album by Stars, released on September 25, 2007 on the Arts & Crafts record label. It was released to digital retailers on July 10, 2007, in an attempt to battle the album's leak...
|| Polaris Music Prize ||
|-
| || The Five Ghosts
The Five Ghosts
-Bonus tracks:#"You Do It to Me and I Do It to You Too" [iTunes pre-order only]#"Asleep" [Limited Edition 7" Box Set Exclusive] [Also available as part of the compilation, "Sing Me To Sleep: Indie Lullabies"]-The Seance EP:...
|| Polaris Music Prize ||
TV appearances
- Live! At the Rehearsal Hall
- Late Night with Conan O'Brien
- Late Night With Jimmy Fallon