by Lauren Rosier
It has been fifteen years since Canadian post-hardcore band, Silverstein, formed and ten years since its breakthrough sophomore record, Discovering The Waterfront, was released. For a band to remain intact and active for that length of time is definitely a positive feat. I recently was able to speak with lead vocalist Shane Told regarding the current tour, forthcoming record and the state of the post-hardcore scene today as compared fifteen years ago.
The band is currently finishing up its North American leg of the tour through the end of February and then embarking on a U.K. / Europe leg in April, and a handful of dates in Australia in May.
Since Waterfront was released nearly ten years ago and the songs were written possibly even longer, as a musician, you may find that they do not nearly resonate with you as much as they when they were being written, but Told feels differently. “I think some of them somehow resonate even stronger actually. I look back at something I wrote 10 years ago and it brings me back to that time, but with a much different outlook and realization of myself.”
Two years set apart the last album, This Is How The Wind Shifts, and the next release, I Am Alive In Everything I Touch, which is set for release in May. As stated in a press release, I Am Alive In Everything I Touch is a concept album based on the four regions of North America: “Borealis” (North)”, “Austeralis” (South), “Zephyrus” (West) and “Eurus” (East).
Silverstein photo by David Pike
“The concept is more autobiographical, the overall vibe is bit more melancholic. It’s a sad record and definitely the most personal we’ve made,” Told reveals.
For those who aren’t familiar with the process of writing a concept album, it is a lot different than your typical recording process with music-melody-lyrics. You really need to know and understand the story you are presenting, how the tracks are going to be sequenced, and how to incorporate themes, etc., so it can be very challenging.
Musically, the new record has many dynamics including some real bangers, some catchy parts and even an acoustic song. It sounds like a little bit of the best of everything from Silverstein.
Looking back, it’s unbelievable to me that it has been ten years since the release of Waterfront. I remember graduating from high school, about to enter college and being first introduced to the emo/hardcore/post-hardcore scene with Silverstein being one of the first bands from the scene I was impressed with. If you’re just becoming interested in the emo/hardcore/post-hardcore scene, trying to discover new bands, or whatever the case may be, Told recommends this: Work backwards. Start with their last release, This Is How The Wind Shifts, check out Waterfront, the popular songs, what songs are played most live, go to grab their music on iTunes or stream the songs on Spotify.
“It’s really cool how young some of the fans coming are. The fact that our music has survived and been passed down through generations now is pretty rad,” Told admits.
Head over to Union Transfer to see the guys perform on Friday with Hands Like Houses, Major League, and My Iron Lung beginning at 7 pm.
