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United Kingdom David Sylvian is an English musician, singer, and songwriter known for his influential work with the band Japan and his extensive solo career, marked by collaborations and a distinctive artistic evolution.
One of Sylvian's most enduring and consequential collaborations was with Ryuichi Sakamoto, the celebrated Japanese keyboardist, composer. David Sylvian & Ryuichi Sakamoto enjoyed a creative partnership that spanned over 40 years. They collaborated on "Bamboo Houses/Bamboo Music", "Forbidden Colours", and the EP "World Citizen", among other projects. Sylvian also contributed lyrics to Sakamoto's "Zero Landmine" project.
David Sylvian collaborated with Robert Fripp on several projects, including the album "The First Day" (1993) and a subsequent tour, "The Road to Graceland Tour". They also released the live album "Damage" (1994) and collaborated on the installation "Redemption – Approaching Silence".
Sylvian collaborated with Holger Czukay on the albums "Plight and Premonition" (1988) and "Flux and Mutability" (1989), which also included contributions from other Can members.
Sylvian collaborated with artist Russell Mills on the elaborate multi-media installation "Ember Glance – The Permanence of Memory" in Tokyo in 1990.
David Sylvian signed with Virgin Records with his band Japan in 1980 and continued as a recording artist with them for twenty years for his solo career. They released multiple albums during this period.
Sylvian co-wrote and sang on the track "Linoleum" for Tweaker's album "The Attraction to All Things Uncertain" (2001) and also on "Pure Genius" for the album "2 a.m. Wakeup Call".
Sylvian was commissioned by Madhouse to compose the ending theme, "For the Love of Life," for the anime adaptation of Naoki Urasawa's "Monster" in 2004.
Sylvian released "Playing The Schoolhouse" with Confront Recordings in 2015 and collaborated with them again in 2017 with Mark Wastell and Rhodri Davies for "There Is No Love" for the Confront Core Series.
Sylvian's photographic essay "ERR" was announced to be released by Grönland Records in 2021. In 2023, he announced a boxset compilation of his Samadhisound works, "Do You Know Me Now?", would be released on the Grönland Records label.
David Sylvian recorded a duet with French actress Isabelle Adjani, which was included on her album "Adjani Bande Originale" and released on November 10, 2023. Sylvian sang on the track "Il Manque Un Mot."
David Alan Batt was born on February 23, 1958, in Beckenham, Kent, England, and grew up in Lewisham, South London. As a youth, he found an interest in music through his sister’s Motown and soul records. He formed the band Japan in 1974 with his brother Steve (Steve Jansen) and friend Anthony Michaelides (Mick Karn). The band initially adopted a glam rock aesthetic but evolved their sound to become more electronic and sophisticated throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s. Their unique baritone vocals and songwriting approach set them apart in the new wave scene. Japan released five studio albums between 1978 and 1981, signing with Virgin Records in 1980, where Sylvian would remain for the next two decades. The band dissolved in 1982 after their final concert in Nagoya.
Following Japan’s breakup, Sylvian embarked on a prolific solo career, starting with the single “Bamboo Houses/Bamboo Music” in collaboration with Ryuichi Sakamoto in 1982. His debut solo album, “Brilliant Trees,” released in 1984, was a critical and commercial success, featuring contributions from notable artists including Sakamoto, Jon Hassell, and Robert Fripp. This period saw Sylvian exploring various artistic endeavors, including a Polaroid photography exhibition and book, “Perspectives – Polaroids 82-84,” and further musical collaborations like the instrumental EP “Words with the Shaman” in 1985. His solo work continued to blend art rock, pop, jazz fusion, and avant-garde experimentalism.
The 1990s brought further collaborations, including the critically acclaimed Rain Tree Crow project, which reunited Japan’s members for one album in 1991. Sylvian also partnered with Robert Fripp, resulting in the album “The First Day” in 1993 and a subsequent tour. After facing a period of personal difficulty, Sylvian released “Dead Bees on a Cake” in 1999, an album reflecting his personal growth and incorporating diverse musical influences. In the 2000s, Sylvian established his independent label, Samadhi Sound, releasing albums such as “Blemish” (2003) and engaging in projects like Nine Horses, demonstrating a continuous evolution towards minimalism and free improvisation. His contributions to the anime “Monster” with “For the Love of Life” in 2004 further highlighted his diverse range.
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