My Silent Bravery

Like Young, Matthew Wade prefers to go by a moniker instead of his birth name. Vance Joy does too, by the way, but I already wrote about that cool cat. Wade makes music under My Silent Bravery, and while he's drawn comparisons to John Mayer and Gavin DeGraw, A-Sides thinks he can stand on his own sans any labels or similar-sounding artist references. In other words, his music, like his name, is unique and stands on its own in a bold way. Late last summer, the musician released his fourth LP, Diamond from Coal, and it was an instant hit on the iTunes Singer/Songwriter chart. Watch him perform exclusively for A-Sides at The Liberty NYC and sit down for a chat. Filmed by Yale Goodman. - Huffington Post

BOSTON—June 28, 2011—Following a successful world premiere music and video release celebration at Boston’s Hard Rock Café last Friday night, International Recording artist, from the Boston-Worcester, Mass. area, My Silent Bravery featuring Matthew Wade today released the much anticipated LP titled Can’t Quit.
The 10-song LP, written by Wade, features a track with Epic Recording Artist Matisyahu. Boston music veterans Charlie Farren (FBI, Farrenheight) and Robert Holmes (’Til Tuesday) also contributed background vocals and additional guitar respectively. Wade worked with critically-acclaimed record producer Anthony Resta (Collective Soul, Guster, Shawn Mullins) on Can’t Quit.
“Can’t Quit is my most personal record to date, and I feel it is far and away my best work yet. It has a little something for everyone—rock, pop, funk, reggae, even a little country. I never thought I would be writing that but I am,” said Wade.
The debut video for the single Can’t Quit directed by Vassili Shields also was unveiled Friday night. The highly inspirational and moving video highlights the heroic struggles of the wounded warrior, youth at the hands of bullies and fellow Americans coping with the wave of natural disasters plaguing the continental United States. To view the video, please visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KGZVPqS67Q (Pop Mix) and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tayTDs1Qw4 (Acoustic Mix).
My Silent Bravery, whose music has been featured on high profile Network TV shows such as the CW’s One Tree Hill, MTV’s Real World & True Life, Oxygen’s Bad Girls Club, the History Channel’s American Pickers, and Animal Planet’s Last Chance Highway, has agreed to license the title track Can’t Quit as the theme song to the Wounded Warrior Ride being coordinated by Lt. Stephen Hallenbeck NC, USAF, and SM Sgt. Dug Coons, USAF, taking place this fall from upstate New York to Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland (dugandsteve.com).
Can’t Quit is the follow-up LP to MSB’s debut album, Are You Prepared?. “Not Necessarily So,” the first single from Are You Prepared?, impacted more than 200 AAA, A/C, Hot A/C and college radio stations. It was the most added song in the country two weeks running in March ’10 on the FMQB A/C chart and in June ’10 it cracked the top 10. It received spins at Boston majors WBOS, WXRV, WAAF and WFNX.

The Can’t Quit LP is now available at iTunes and other major online retailers. It features the tracks Four Years, Alright, Can’t Quit, Bunt Out, To Give (featuring Matisyahu), Ms. Definite Maybe, Last One Left, Burnt Out (Acoustic), Can’t Quit (Acoustic) and Today is Tomorrow’s Yesterday.

My Silent Bravery recently won best pop artist at the 2011 Worcester Music Awards. Matthew Wade is endorsed by Gibson.

To learn more about My Silent Bravery visit:
www.mysilentbravery.com
www.facebook.com/mysilentbravery
www.myspace.com/mysilentbravery




- Hollywood Reporter

MY SILENT BRAVERY, “Are You Prepared?”

Everything about pop/rock quartet My Silent Bravery plays like a major label signing, from its production savvy, eloquent lyrics, authoritative imaging, polished web site, a dedicated Northeast U.S. fan following (200 shows in two years), merchandising—and most important, a chockablock collection of winning songs on debut album “Are You Prepared?” The group is keenly riding the current wave of melodic, danceable rock (think Maroon 5)—and cashing in nicely, thank you, with top 10 airplay on FMQB’s AC chart of first single “Not Necessarily So,” and spins at such Northeast powerhouses as WBOS, WXRV, WAAF and WFNX. In its previous incarnation as the Matt Shwachman Band, My Silent Bravery also garnered placements on WB’s “One Tree Hill” and MTV’s “Real World,” and airplay on more than 400 radio stations. And the reasons are oh so clear: The radio release could butt heads with any hit that One Republic has scored, with a sing-along chorus and clever pop arrangement; “Crime & Punishment” tosses in a dash of folk, a la John Mayer, with light hip-hop elements—a clever fusion. It is also worthy to note some of Shwachman’s previous solo work. “Do You Know” adds a slight blur of grunge alongside the youthful vocals of Shwachman and “Rise Above” chugs along with an optimistic air despite tough times (“When your worries wear you down and out, rise above”). “Dying To Feel Alive” (which has also fostered TV placement) is yet another highlight, with its power ballad sensibility and a call-out chorus that demands a glass-half-full view of life. The group's MWS Recording may be an indie label, but it’s got a giant talent on its hands. My Silent Bravery is destined to make major noise.

—Billboard Magazine Discoveries - Billboard Magazine

Folk-rocker Matt Shwachman kicks off tonight's "Other Side of the Bear" acoustic show at T.T. the Bear's. Shwachman plays uplifting and occasionally angsty music that has earned him some television airplay on "One Tree Hill" (the show recently featured his song "Side of the Road"). Tonight's T.T.'s lineup also features Elle Gallo and Pete Richard. 8:30. $3. T.T. the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St., Cambridge. 617-492-2327. ttthebears.com

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Matt Shwachman
Email|Print| Text size – + March 10, 2008
- Boston Globe

Boston Massachusetts is the hometown of songsmith Matthew Wade, the alter ego of “My Silent Bravery” who released his 2011 offering “Can’t Quit” to critical acclaim. The CD cover is a minimalist affair comprising of Japanese “KOI” fish design and scripted text, which has a classical, perhaps even gothic appeal. It put me in mind of The Mission (UK) and their very first album. The collection features ten tracks, however two of those are songs are duplicates – re-worked with an acoustic feel.

The album starts off with a very upbeat and funky opening track “Four Years” complete with choppy guitar and Fender Rhodes sounds. There are seventies flavours here brought up to date with a noughties style production. Matt’s voice is dry and crisp with superbly placed harmonies, further developed as the song builds into pre-chorus and chorus and it is clear that from the start, this is a highly professional and glossy production worthy of the current chart. This song is so catchy and hooky you can’t help humming along. There is certainly no let up with the second track “Alright” which has a trippy feel-good vibe as the song bounces nicely along. The groove is both slick and tight – the perfect backdrop for the excellently placed instrumentation. There is real class here as the arrangement leaves space for each augmenting instrument to come to the fore whenever it’s called for. A very accomplished song – leading nicely onto the title track “Cant Quit” where we are placed squarely in boy-band ballad territory reminiscent of Take That and Westlife. Again, Matt’s accomplished and ultra-radio-friendly vocal, sublimely layered and supported by his harmonies, is the proverbial icing on the cake with this track. Lyrically, it is clear he is trying to push the boundaries whilst still keeping widespread appeal and accessibility – no mean feat at all! The fourth track, “Burnt out” continues the modern vibe with some R&B beats and half-time / double-time lyrics “Never thought I’d be the one to act the fool for you” as he laments a failing relationship. The rest of the tracks progress through to conclusion and maintain the very high standard right to the finish line.
It’s hard to fault this recording at all. Whilst this genre is not strictly to my taste, I couldn’t help but be mightily impressed by the sparkling accessibility and mature production – It is clear that producer Anthony J. Resta knows a thing or two about bringing out the best from “My Silent Bravery”. I would have liked to hear a little more sonic dynamic across the pieces and whilst I enjoyed the acoustic re-working of the title track and “Burnt Out” it would have been better to have just used the acoustic versions, to give a little more contrast. Just my own personal opinion of course, and nothing to take away from this truly excellent work.

Why this artist does not yet have the backing of a major label is quite beyond me. There are original elements across all of this material and it shouldn’t take much steer from the execs to place “My Silent Bravery” into a niche market position. Anyone looking for something new in the pop/rock style should get this disc ordered right now… once this act has rocketed into stardom a disk like this could end up being a real collectors gem! I for one, will be keeping an eye out for future releases from this outstanding phenomena.

–Neil Thomas (UK)

- Rock n Roll View

“Four Years” is destined for a lot of radio play and could make My Silent Bravery the next biggest act out of Boston. Aside from its irresistible beat, “Four Years” has a guitar that will funk you crazy and Wade’s voice has that kind of mass appeal charisma and it pivots with distinct style around its surefooted groove.

There are other golden nuggets on Can’t Quit. “Alright” makes you feel its swirl of instruments like a carnival ride that makes you feel momentum. The guitar, bass, and keyboards don’t play around the beat as much as they seem to form a web of sound around it that lifts off and takes the beat with them. The keyboards are wildly original, motivated, and twitchy, making every note and chord interesting and fun.

Title track “Can’t Quit” is a mellower yet no less expansive take on My Silent Bravery’s intricate pop-rock sound. Those frisky keyboards and guitars are still on colorful display, yet the music sinks into a gentle depth. Wade, with his creamy smooth croon emoting heavily, is more haunting than dominating this time around, and it works. His vocal gives the breezy melody enough of a visitation to show he can run the show without the lion tamer’s demeanor of the previous two. Wade’s fertile imagination allows the songwriter to come up with this looming landscape of sweet melody and forlorn vocals contrasting with an edgy guitar phrase. It’s like he architects sounds rather than just composes music.

“Burnt Out” exhibits a nervous guitar blurting out unique phrases beside Wade’s smooth, rangy vocal. “Burnt Out” gives you a feeling that the song is going somewhere. There is a sense of destination, journey, travel in its purposeful pace, a forward momentum that take you as far as your imagination will let it take you. The singer is giving a description of his current state of exhaustion while also pulling you into the dreamy state of having only enough energy left to live inside himself.

Chunk full of groove and percussive motion “To Give,” guest starring recording artist Matisyahu, bops around a warm territory of embracing keyboard melody and hipster guitar riffs. Matisyahu adds a warm texture to Wade’s chorus, and the whole song welcomes you like a firm handshake. The positive, life-affirming lyrics are projected onto a large screen by Wade’s and Matisyahu’s grand vocal delivery, a sound so wide it invites in all around it.

The sweeping sway of “Ms. Definite Maybe” will lull you into the fickle world of the song’s title character. The cheerful melodies and the persistent groove belies the uncertainty plaguing the singer, making the dilemma more dramatic and humorous. “Last One Left” makes the most of Wade’s vocal lift, his croon pulling along the multi-textured sounds in his wake, all combining into another infectious swirl of sound.

The quirkily titled “Today Is Tomorrow’s Yesterday” gets its character from Steve Sadler’s mandolin, dobra, and bass guitar. Wade’s finesses this one with gentle aplomb. He caresses the lyrics with a gentle application of his smooth timbre, gliding just over the gritty melody and gorgeous low end notes. The singer, songwriter, acoustic guitarist closes out classy with his song reaching a dream-like feeling in its flowing pace and ethereal vocal.

There are acoustic versions of “Burnt Out” and “Can’t Quit” with synthesized backdrops that showcase Wade’s creamy smooth voice with less adornment than the electric renditions. Focusing on his voice will only produce more evidence of his potential. The CD is brought to vivid life by studio wiz Anthony J. Resta in his Bopnique Studios. Resta captures every nuance of quality here, and he also makes room for Wade’s stellar cast: Rob Holmes, Jeff Calder, Richard Gates, Charlie Farren, and Cameron Stone Cello Quartet.

It is easy to picture Wade going places with his My Silent Bravery project and his new sophomore CD Can’t Quit.

- Bill Copeland Music News

"Great passionate rock that definately comes from the heart!" - Derek Sivers, former President of CD Baby

Previous releases by Matt Shwachman/My Silent Bravery have been featured on Inner Ear Media and have received promising feedback. What stuck to me most when I listened to the previous albums was that there was plenty of potential and that the songwriting showed that we were dealing with a songwriter that wasn’t looking for the easy way out, or rather the easy way ‘in’.

There were some things that I was missing still though. It was hard to pinpoint it, but it just felt like something wasn’t quite there yet. On this new release “Can’t Quit”, Matt and his co-conspirators show maturity in the songwriting and a more cohesive and natural sound. There’s good rhythm in virtually all of the songs and all the songs are catchy as hell. Listen to Alright which is a massive college radio hit in the making or to the modern pop/rock anthem (with a little bit of a post-grunge edge in the vocal arrangement) title track Can’t Quit.

The band changes tempo throughout the songs and within the songs. They listened to contemporary artists and incorporated help from colleagues. This approach has helped to transform My Silent Bravery from a promising group into a full-grown mature pop act that would most definitely find an audience on pop radio if given a chance.

From the way the band works to a climax on Burnt Out to the sonic sound of Last One Left and the laid-back closing track Today Is Tomorrow’s Yesterday, the band keeps up a high level, both in the songwriting department and executing the songs.

“Can’t Quit” is a modern pop album that compares very well against other releases in the genre. My Silent Bravery might not yet be a name that rings a bell for you, but if they can keep this up and maybe improve a little more, get a little more distinctive maybe, they should definitely become a name that everyone has heard of. If there are some other people in the business that are willing to give this band a shot and offer them regular airplay and if they get the chance to perform in some high profile places, maybe open up for a big name, there’s no reason this band shouldn’t play in the big leagues in the near future. Keep an eye out for My Silent Bravery, they’re marching in!

- Inner Ear Media

“The band's newest CD, Are You Prepared is sure to create a buzz as each and every tune could easily be heard on nearly any modern rock station across the country. This solid rock album is packed with well-written, well-produced tunes.” - Puregrainaudio.com

My Silent Bravery represents growth and transformation as an artist, as well as a release of ego that may help Matt take his band to the next level” - Worcester Magazine

You’d be hard pressed to find a record title which matches its content more accurately. Singer - songwriter Matt Shwachman’s sophomore effort sounds remarkably fresh and innovative in this, the eighth year of the artistically / culturally vapid / vacant decade of American Idol and Rock Star. Shwach (that’s his nickname) is obviously a student of classic pop song-craft (i.e. he can compose a melodic tune that grabs you in a simple verse/chorus) which is not as easy as it sounds. Though his lyrics are the standard stuff of love lost, love found, and love unrequited - Shwachman’s arrangements are an explosive mix of funk, reggae, techno, soul and art-rock rendered by dexterous posse of sidemen. Uplifting and danceable there’s nary a wasted note on this collection, whether the artist ruminates of travels through Australia (“Side of the Road” - dig the forced twang in his vocal delivery) or celebrates the simply joys of life (“Dying to Feel Alive”) or toys with a bit of glam rock bravado (“Floating”). Let’s forget the ‘00s ever happened and start over with Uncharted Territory.

--Tom Semioli [July 22, 2008]


MATT SHWACHMAN
UNCHARTERED TERRITORY
INDEPENDENT (2008)
- AmplifierMagazine.com

Acoustic-wielding, Boston-Based singer songwriter Matt Shwachman will be giving established heart-melters like One Republic and Five For Fighting a run for their money when he performs a brief handful of East Coast dates this month and makes an appearance on the tri-state area’s (Deleware, New Jersey, and Philly) The Tim Qualls Show.

Shwachman spoke to CMJ about his rapid college radio ads (125 stations in the last year!): “Getting added and receiving airplay is only half the battle; what you really want is to gain new fans and for people to enjoy your music. I really try and think of it in a broader scope. The more lives I affect for the better, the more I feel like I am getting somewhere. Overall, I am trying to enjoy the journey and not worry about the destination.”

Asked about the leap of an independent artist appearing on a Comcast show viewed in three million homes, Shwachman didn’t seem fazed. “I believe you really have to put in the work in order to reap any type of reward, no matter what you do. So I am always looking for new opportunities and not resting on my laurels. Persistence is key.”

Tour Dates for Matt Shwachman:

06/17- Philadelphia, PA - Doc Watson’s
06/18 -Washington, DC – Grog & Tankard
06/19- New York City, NY- Sullivan Hall
06/23-Boston/Allston, MA - Harpers Ferry

wwww.mattshwachman.com

Story By Dan Weiss

http://prod1.cmj.com/articles/display_article.php?id=68547531
- CMJ

"New band name and new album. My Silent Bravery is truly a contender and this album confirms that. Expect to hear alot from this group as the album reaches the masses." - Skope Magazine

“It’s catchy and infectious material from a band that, increasingly, bears watching.” - Worcester Telegram and Gazette

“My Silent Bravery has done themselves proud.”
- The Daily News, Pittsburg

“My Silent Bravery's new release, Are You Prepared? is pop/rock with elements of hip-hop and R&B. In my humble opinion, one of the better college bands out there right now.”
- Planet Weekly

Uncharted Territory - Matt Shwachman

By: Carolina Jones

Wow there is just too much good indie music out there. Add Matt Shwachman’s ‘Uncharted Territory’ to the list and I do hope I spelled his name correctly. This is where having an actual hard-copy CD in front of you pays off because yes, I spelled it right.

Matt’s voice is pure and his lyrics even more so. Uncharted Territory covers just that...the inner landscape and the journey through is done in a feel good popish manner that doesn’t bore. As a matter of fact it soars and swells with words and chords that should be bottled up and sold to the disenchanted as a effective pick-me-up.

'Rise Above' is a tad predictable musically but the guitar in this one makes it all worth it. Matt's voice on track 'Destiny' is it's saving grace as it sounds a bit dated for some odd reason, but all that aside every track feels like taking a journey on a pristine, strong and fluffy cloud.

http://www.unsignedthemagazine.com/brandnew/theheat.html


- Unsigned the Magazine

“My Silent Bravery quickly racking up spins and accolades. Worcester based band sells out CD Release Party and climbing FMQB Charts.”
- Underthegunreview.net

“Not only is the sound of his (Matt’s) voice one that I hear on repeat for hours later, but the message is moving. If his goal is to move the listener, the band has done so with this song (“Street Corner”).”
—Relatmag.com
- Relatemag.com

A very interesting, not easily defined style ... it fits somewhere in the Seal to Peter Gabriel arena of pop that is a little more sophisticated than your average pop. - Taxi

‘With well-crafted songs and a slick, modern sound, My Silent Bravery takes a step towards a bright future!” - Inner Ear Media

“Between Matt Shwachman’s soothing voice and its breezy, spiraling arrangement, ‘Rise Above’ is one of those songs that you only need to hear once to get it stuck in your noggin. That his words are quite uplifting is a bonus that makes ‘Rise Above’ a complete winner of a song.”
- Jim Nelson, A Taste Of Triple A

"Uncharted Territory" is Shwachman's second album and features a dozen tracks of upbeat, acoustic-guitar-driven pop. Shwachman nicely stitched together philosophical themes with everyday imagery and dressed up the whole thing with band arrangements fleshed out by producer Andrew Gallagher. - — Worcester Telegram & Gazette

"Uncharted Territory" is Shwachman's second album and features a dozen tracks of upbeat, acoustic-guitar-driven pop. Shwachman nicely stitched together philosophical themes with everyday imagery and dressed up the whole thing with band arrangements fleshed out by producer Andrew Gallagher. - — Worcester Telegram & Gazette