SAVVIE
Gig Seeker Pro

SAVVIE

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | Established. Jan 01, 2014 | INDIE

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | INDIE
Established on Jan, 2014
Band Alternative Rock

Calendar

Music

Press


"Feature: SAVVIE ONLY HAS EYES FOR THE NIGHT"

“There always seemed to be something missing before,” explains Vancouver-based singer, SAVVIE—born Savannah Leigh Wellman—over Jameson-soda’s in a lavish and crimson-lit Morrissey Pub. “A different sort of something that wasn’t fitting with me or my audience.” After years of producers pressuring Wellman and her serenely cool voice into the inoffensive and airy genre of folky singer-songwriter tunes, SAVVIE finally has total control over her music.

From the very beginning of her music career as a kid in Coquitlam, Wellman noticed the gap in communicating with producers and writers. Wanting to broaden her understanding of the music industry, the young songstress enrolled at Vancouver Community College before going to study music at Concordia in Montreal.“There was always a progression that needed to happen for me,” Wellman says. “I needed to find my way through working with different people and figuring out what kind of sound I wanted.”While all of the tracks on Night Eyes were co-written by Matthew Rogers of the Juno-nominated duo The Harpoonist and the Axe Murderer (he also produced the album), Wellman notes that she never felt as though she had much freedom with her sound before. However, with Rogers talents on guitar he was able to fully breathe life into fragments of songs that had been standing still in the corners of Wellman’s mind.“I felt like these songs were more my vision than ever before,” Wellman says, in comparison with how her songs were written before. “We both had a really clear goal and a vision that we wanted to carve out.” With her debut, Night Eyes being released on Wellman’s own label it has only increased her ability to have full creative control.“People can so easily assume that you’re just a girl with a guitar and it’s exciting to show that it doesn’t need to be that way,” Wellman says. “It was so frustrating in the past which is why it feels so nice to say ‘fuck it, I’m going to make the music I want to make and not apologize for it’.”

Released on Wellman’s own Tiny Kingdom Records, Night Eyes - set to be available in Canada on February 10 - is a beautifully bruised collection of whiskey-driven grooves which are already beginning to summon quite a following. SAVVIE’s first single, “Without You”, is a strong statement on Wellman’s burgeoning independence both creatively and personally. With the path lit by burning bouquets of roses, Night Eyes is a beautiful growl towards Wellman’s freedom and strength as an artist and a woman.

Noisey: You mention that your work on Night Eyes makes you happy in a way that none of your previous artistic endeavours did. Why do you think this is?
Savannah Leigh Wellman: People won’t pick up on an album if it feels uncertain and they might not even realize why it feels uncertain, it just does. It’s such a funny thing noticing what strikes people and what takes off. It’s something I’ve been watching my whole time in the industry and it’s not super predictable. But I do think people can sense any sort of uncertainty and a lot of that comes down to confidence and the artist knowing what they’re doing and doing it unapologetically. This record is pretty personal and you’re going to have some people say ‘no thank you’ and some will say ‘fuck yeah’. But that’s okay with me because it’s not going to be for everybody and without that response everything would just simmer in mediocrity.

You’ve been known to categorize your music as “Sex Rock”. What is Sex Rock? Shouldn’t all rock be sexy?
I jokingly started calling it that and now I always have to mention it ‘cause it’s too funny and ‘cause it could be taken a million different ways. Now I’m not talking about misogynist Nickelback ‘you look cute with your pants around your knees or something in your mouth’, I’m not talking about that kind of garbage. You have to understand that it’s coming from me and if you listen to the lyrics it’s all quite empowering. It was coming from a time when I was single and decided to write about this stuff, why the hell not. I shouldn’t be ashamed and there’s no need to be shy at this point in my life, fuck it! Sex is the essence of rock. That’s nothing new. Look at Jimi Hendrix and Robert Plant, they are just oozing sex! That’s what I appreciate and what I like and what I respond to. But it’s not all crunchy guitar. There’s definitely some moody atmospheric dreamy kind of stuff going on too.

Night Eyes is the first release for your label Tiny Kingdom. Where do you hope to go with it?
I love the idea that I could take the label places. I think it would be a natural progression from the work I do now with Music BC which is basically assisting other bands with getting their act together. So even if I’m not focusing on my own music anymore I’d love to be focusing on someone else’s and helping them get somewhere. I’m laying the groundwork for that possibility to turn entrepreneurial, even if it’s 10 years from now.

I see you have a little crystal pouch! What do you keep in it?
It’s my lucky pouch. I know it’s kind of a hippie thing. I keep a little pebble in here and some sage leaves and a little silver trinket that a friend gave me. It’s like a talisman. I’m at a point in my life where I feel I could use all the good luck I can get. If you want things shifting in your direction you can! I’m cursed with quartz though. I have this weird thing where any time I’ve owned it it will fall off or I’ll watch it break or I will straight up lose it the next day. Apparently it’s not my thing so I’ve stopped wearing the pretty crystals.

What are you most excited about for your live show?
There’s a number of songs where I’m just a front woman and I get to just lay it down and I’m really stoked for that. I get to go a little crazy on stage, play the tambourine and let out my inner Stevie Nicks. I’m going to be wearing a lot of fringe.

With you just entering your 30’s now, what do you think are the benefits of being classified as a “mature” musician?
It’s funny in this industry, I don’t necessarily want to focus on it ‘cause people can be so fickle. But to answer your question I feel like I’m only just now figuring out who the fuck I really am. It takes your 20’s, man, and you go crazy just figuring out what the hell is going on in your life and now that I’ve got it figured out I’m way less uncertain about myself. I now know what I’m good at and who I want to be. This is not the end, it’s only the beginning.

Jillian Groening is a writer based in Winnipeg who looks forward to figuring her shit out. @jill_groening - Noisey for Vice


"Feature: SAVVIE: A woman empowered"

VANCOUVER — Savannah Leigh Wellman is gushing about Bryan Adams. He is, hands down, her favourite artist of all time and a music obsession that began when she was a kid. “He was my first real concert experience, too, and I was totally spoiled and got to go backstage to meet him,” the Vancouver-based songstress giggles. “I was, like, 8 and my friend’s dad worked at the Fox [99.3 FM], or something like that. He got us backstage and I got to shake his [Adams’] hand while he was in his bathrobe. I was just starstruck. That was kind of the beginning of the end for me, I think.”

It was the beginning of something, but certainly not the end. After a young lifetime of pursuing a career in music (something she credits the Reckless singer for inspiring), Wellman is on the verge of making her debut as SAVVIE with the launch of her new album, Night Eyes. Previously the frontwoman for folk band Redbird, Wellman hasn’t released a record since the group’s last in 2011 but it hasn’t been for lack of inspiration. She’s been writing constantly in the time in between and reassessing her focus to something that’s a defining reflection of herself. This has culminated into the exploration of a bolder sound and while it’s a significant departure from the rootsy tone of her former project (a shift she initially faced criticism over that her honeyed voice wouldn’t suit grittier rock and roll), Wellman is nothing but ecstatic about this new chapter. Confident in herself and determined in her vision, she’s finally creating the kind of music she’s always dreamed of—and on her own terms.

“Over the years, I’ve really felt that what I wanted to put out there was something that was a little bit edgier, that was a little bit more heavy,” Wellman explains. “I think there [was] always that part of me that wanted to make music like that.” She doesn’t discount the softer sounds of her past, however, insisting that it was simply what spoke to her then. “You get inspired by all different kinds of things at different stages,” she continues. “But this album has definitely been a long time coming.”

Self-described by Wellman as “sex rock,” Night Eyes doesn’t shy away from being provocative. Not in an obvious or vulgar way, rather, it’s poised, subtly sexy and layered with varied levels of emotion. Her sultry vocals ache through introspective moments, like on slow burner “A Blur and a Haze,” while heady tracks such as “Gravity” and “Without You” are charged with swelling riffs and splashy percussion as they explore notions of emotional and physical yearning.

Night Eyes also marks Wellman’s first release on her label, Tiny Kingdom Records. “It does near that kind of empowerment that the album is about,” she says. “I’m taking control on the business side, too, and just having faith that I can do this all on my own. Hopefully it’s not always on my own forever, but in the meantime, I’m not gonna sit around and wait for other people to make things happen.”

Wellman’s savvy isn’t just a play on her name—it’s a large part of her identity. She’s a woman who knows what she wants and applies everything she’s learned along the way to achieve it, maintaining that the inevitable ups and downs of the music industry are experiences that fuel determination, not failure. As a result, Night Eyes is an insightful triumph that displays the power and prowess of her independence. And, best of all, it’s comin’ straight from the heart.

SAVVIE releases Night Eyes on February 10 and performs at the Hindenburg on February 12. - Beatroute


"Live Review: SAVVIE Album Release @ Hindenburg"

About four and a half years ago was the first time I saw Savannah Leigh Wellman performing live, under the moniker Redbird. It wasn't long after that when she released the EP We're All Friends and Lovers Until It Falls Apart, which I was quite taken by -- especially thanks to her strong voice and lyrics.
Flash forward a few years, and now Savannah has scrapped her folksy singer-songwriter sound in favour of a decidedly more rock & roll direction, with something that she has tongue-in-cheek dubbed "Sex Rock". Her brand new album, Night Eyes, was released just last week, and she took to one of Vancouver's newest venues, the Hindenburg, to celebrate.

Unfortunately, thanks to another show happening on the same night I missed both opening acts, Jody Glenham and Black River Killers, arriving just as the latter wrapped up.

Joining Savvie on stage was a band that consisted of a few familiar faces; Nick Petrowich (of Willhorse), Joseph Blood (of Bend Sinister), Jody Glenham (of, uh, Jody Glenham), and Brendan Krieg (who I believe was part of Savannah's old old band), and to celebrate the album's release, they played it in its entirety, front to back.

The tone was set right off the bat with "Break You In", which teases "I could be the one to break you... in" and the mood continued on with the crunchy guitars and reverb-drenched vocals of the first single "Without You", as Savannah owned the stage with a confidence and presence fitting to the term "sex rock".

Other highlights of the set included the catchy, gritty-pop of "Gravity" and the smoother "I Fall Again" which, like many of her songs, simultaneously makes you want to drown your sorrows in whiskey, and get right back out there -- or as Savannah put it between songs, lamenting on the fact that the next day was Valentine's Day: "don't sit at home feeling fucking sad, sit at home feeling fucking sexy"

But my favourite of the night (which is, unsurprisingly, a favourite from the album as well) came exactly halfway through with a heartwrenching and passionate song of a doomed romance called "Dreams of Surrender". Savannah's soaring voice wailing in the choruses literally gave me chills, as the song built to a huge ending with Jason Blood letting loose on guitar.

They ended the set with "The Tower", the only song released as Redbird reworked for her new sound, with Savannah warning that "nostalgia is a fool's addiction", and which once more saw Blood shred on the guitar for its explosive climax.
But, seeing as they were playing the full album, Savannah came back out alone, guitar in hand, for the hidden track on the album as an encore. It was a beautiful, stripped down song that was a great ending to the set, both sonically and emotionally.

As someone that had stated before that the whole "folk singer-songwriter" thing is starting to wear out its welcome, I have been really digging the new direction Wellman has taken. I quite like the album, and this was a great debut show. If I'm not mistaken, it was only the second or third time the band had done a show together, and aside from a couple small things, they seemed to be working pretty well together.
Plus, it was my first time at the Hindenburg, and I really liked the venue. It had a nice layout, and sounded really good. Hopefully there will be more shows there worth checking out in the near future.


setlist
Break You In, Without You, Trust the In Between, Gravity, It's OK, Dreams of Surrender, Beautiful Pain, I Fall Again, Where We Wanna Be, A Blur and A Haze, The Tower.
(encore) [secret song] - 3AM Revelations


"Live Review: SAVVIE w/ Dirty Relics @ Lucky Bar"

Seeing bands like Vancouver's SAVVIE is a breath of fresh air here on the west coast. Often we find ourselves at rock shows that aren't really rock shows. They are best suited for campfires after a long day of surfing or hanging out on the beach. Don't get us wrong, we enjoy that, but sometimes you need a solid female-fronted indie rock band to knock you back into place.
Strong, confident, and sometimes sexy lyrics hold you between the words and the music. There is something to be said about a well-rehearsed band, whose skill particularly shone on their lead single "Without You."

When Savannah puts down her guitar to sing songs like "Dreams of Surrender," her almost manic energy is similar to early Black Mountain or San Francisco's Doe Eye. Beautiful but intense, both lyrically and sonically.

While fairly new, SAVVIE is a powerhouse, and destined to achieve success. They left the Victorians at Lucky Bar in awe, hoping that they come back soon. At the end of the night, many picked up SAVVIE's debut record "Night Eyes" on their way out into the winter rains. It's worth both your time and money. - YYJ Rocktographers


"Album Review: Vancouver Observer"

It comes as no surprise that music industry veteran Savannah Leigh Wellman aka SAVVIE steps into her leading role with confidence. But it's refreshing that her years of experience result in originality. Though buzzy guitar amplifiers easily bring the Black Keys to mind, SAVVIE's songs are less paired down, combining digital with the analog. Her dynamic voice colours the record with emotional wisdom, cradled by crackling distortion at both its sustained highs and sultry lows. -NL - Vancouver Observer


"PREMIERE: SAVVIE – “WITHOUT YOU”"

Hailing from Vancouver, Savannah Leigh Wellman has returned with a brand new project titled SAVVIE, which backs up addictive pop gems with a fierce power and delves into the murky depths of lust, love, and everything in between. Having previously performed with both Redbird and Portage and Main, SAVVIE’s debut album Night Eyes, which was produced by Matt Rogers (The Harpoonist And The Axe Murderer), is a sharp, sexy, and nuanced effort that shines a spotlight on Wellman’s penchant for crafting sparkling, hip-swaying tunes.

Check out SAVVIE’s debut single “Without You” below or get a FREE download HERE! - Anchor Shop


"Premiere - SAVVIE 'Night Eyes' (album stream)"

Having previously fronted the folksy act Redbird, Vancouver songwriter Savannah Leigh Wellman has now turned her focus to rock with SAVVIE. Her debut album under this name is called Night Eyes, and before it drops on February 10 through her own Tiny Kingdom Records, it's available to stream on Exclaim.ca.

A press release has promised "sexy, gritty rock'n'roll." Sure enough, clean tones are largely absent here, with "Without You" featuring a brawny fuzz bass pulse and nearly every track containing jabs of overdriven, reverb-soaked guitar.

But this isn't a sonically limited album: "Gravity" is anchored a new wave drum machine swagger, while "Dreams of Surrender" builds up from quiet balladry to a lighter-waving guitar solo crescendo, and "A Blur and a Haze" is steeped in noirish western drama.

Hear it all below. SAVVIE has some British Columbia shows coming up this month; see the schedule here. - EXCLAIM


"Redbird's Savannah Leigh Wellman Reinvents Herself as SAVVIE"

Savannah Leigh Wellman used to make folk pop as Redbird, but now she's gone in a more rocking direction for her debut as SAVVIE. We'll get to hear this for ourselves when Night Eyes arrives February 10 through her own Tiny Kingdom Records.

The album was produced by Matt Rogers of local outfit the Harpoonist & the Axe Murderer. According to a press release, it mixes pop with gritty rock sounds.

"For me Night Eyes is about empowerment in a lot of ways," Wellman said in a statement. "I've always wanted to make a rock album, but had to fight against the opinion that my voice was too girly and sweet to work with grittier music. Thematically I decided to not shy away from suggestive subjects, and embrace the boldness and confidence I had grown into. Throw in releasing it on my own label, and we've got the album I've always dreamed of making."

For a taste of the new sonic palette, hear "Without You" over at SAVVIE's website. It's anchored by swaggering fuzz bass and swells to lush choruses. That song also appears in a short trailer video at the bottom of this page.

Below, see SAVVIE's upcoming tour schedule.

Tour dates:

02/07 Victoria, BC - Lucky Bar
02/08 Port Renfrew, BC - Song and Surf Festival
02/12 Vancouver, BC - Hindenburg
02/20 Kelowna, BC - Doc Willoughby's
02/21 Golden, BC - Golden Sound Festival - Exclaim


"Savvie – Without You – Hit Radar"

Vancouver’s Savvie released her first single “Without You” from her up coming debut “Night Eyes” three days ago.
“Without You” features professional production from Matt Rogers, driving bass and a velvety voice wrapped up in a solid hook.
Keep an eye on Savvie in 2015! We’re sure the rest of the world will catch up soon.

THE SCENE - The Scene Magazine


"Album Review: Savvie leaves the bright-eyed folk behind on Night Eyes"

Putting the bright-eyed folk of Redbird behind her, singer-songwriter Savannah Leigh Wellman favours slinking postsunset sounds on Night Eyes, the full-length debut from her new project, Savvie.

The traditional folk tones of Wellman’s past are eclipsed here by Savvie’s comparatively tube-busting approach. For instance, the bluesy “Break You In” has the vocals in the red over fuzzed-out guitar melodies. Imagining Jenny Lewis fronting the Black Keys, “Without You” plays just as filthy with its distorted grooves. The initial thrill of that track, however, fades when “It’s OK” and “I Fall Again” graft themselves onto the same kind of rhythm.

The explosive “A Blur and a Haze”, meanwhile, switches things up brilliantly. With her countrified drawl set against snail-paced snare hits and tremolo guitar, Wellman sings of a personal evolution: “I realized you’ll never see me the same.” As the track explodes into its soul-rattling finale, long-time followers of Wellman’s may well be thinking that’s all too true.

Follow Gregory Adams on Twitter at @gregoryadamsbc. - Georgia Straight


"VANCOUVER’S SAVVIE SET TO RELEASE DEBUT LP NIGHT EYES FEBRUARY 10 – LISTEN TO FIRST SINGLE “WITHOUT YOU” NOW"

Vancouver’s rock songstress SAVVIE unveils first single “Without You” from her debut full-length album Night Eyes, set for release February 10th, 2015 via Tiny Kingdom Records. Watch the album teaser for Night Eyes here.


“For me Night Eyes is about empowerment in a lot of ways,” says Wellman. “I’ve always wanted to make a rock album, but had to fight against the opinion that my voice was too girly and sweet to work with grittier music. Thematically I decided to not shy away from suggestive subjects, and embrace the boldness and confidence I had grown into. Throw in releasing it on my own label, and we’ve got the album I’ve always dreamed of making.”

Fans can listen and download to first single here: www.savviemusic.com/music

Savannah Leigh Wellman (previously of Redbird) is the unstoppable force behind SAVVIE, a seductive mix of sultry, brooding rock and infectious pop hooks. Produced by Matt Rogers (The Harpoonist And The Axe Murderer), Night Eyes is a courageous, relentless debut that shines a spotlight on Wellman’s penchant for crafting sparkling, hip-swaying tunes. It’s sharp, sexy, and nuanced, with a laser-focus on irresistible melodies and big head-nodding choruses. In support of the record, SAVVIE will be taking her dynamic live show, filled with familiar Vancouver musicians, to select cities in B.C. with national dates coming soon. See full tour dates below.

TOUR DATES:
Feb. 07 @ Lucky Bar, VICTORIA, BC
Feb. 08 @ Song and Surf Festival, PORT RENFREW, BC
Feb. 12 @ Hindenburg, VANCOUVER, BC (Release Show)
Feb. 20 @ Doc Willoughby’s, KELOWNA, BC
Feb. 21 @ Golden Sound Festival, GOLDEN, BC

LINKS
http://savviemusic.com/
https://www.facebook.com/SAVVIEmusic
https://twitter.com/SAVVIEmusic - Vanal Magazine


"Vancouver’s SAVVIE Set to Release Debut LP Night Eyes February 10 – Listen to First Single “Without You” Now"

Vancouver’s rock songstress SAVVIE unveils first single “Without You” from her debut full-length album Night Eyes, set for release February 10th, 2015 via Tiny Kingdom Records. Watch the album teaser for Night Eyes here.

“For me Night Eyes is about empowerment in a lot of ways,” says Wellman. “I’ve always wanted to make a rock album, but had to fight against the opinion that my voice was too girly and sweet to work with grittier music. Thematically I decided to not shy away from suggestive subjects, and embrace the boldness and confidence I had grown into. Throw in releasing it on my own label, and we’ve got the album I’ve always dreamed of making.”

Fans can listen and download to first single here:
www.savviemusic.com/music - Vents Magazine


Discography

Night Eyes (LP) - February 10th, 2015

Photos

Bio

Night Eyes is the debut album for Vancouver's SAVVIE, released on Tiny Kingdom records in February 2015. Savannah Leigh Wellman (previously of Redbird) is the unstoppable force behind SAVVIE, a seductive mix of sultry, brooding rock and infectious pop hooks. Produced by Matt Rogers (The Harpoonist And The Axe Murderer), Night Eyes is a courageous, relentless debut that shines a spotlight on Wellman’s penchant for crafting sparkling, hip-swaying tunes. It’s sharp, sexy, and nuanced, with a laser-focus on irresistible melodies and big head-nodding choruses. Since the release the band has played across Canada, appearing at festivals such as CMW and Song and Surf, and has been invited to open for acts such as Leighton Meester, Royal Tusk, Rah Rah, Gay Nineties and more. The single "It's OK" reached #4 on the CBC Radio 3 countdown and is charting nationally on campus radio. With a schedule packed full of Canadian tour and festival dates this summer, SAVVIE is seducing audiences one song at a time.
 
 “Released on Wellman’s own Tiny Kingdom Records, Night Eyes is a beautifully bruised collection of whiskey-driven grooves which are already beginning to summon quite a following.” 
~ Noisey by Vice

“Night Eyes doesn’t shy away from being provocative. Not in an obvious or vulgar way, rather, it’s poised, subtly sexy and layered with varied levels of emotion. Her sultry vocals ache through introspective moments, like on slow burner “A Blur and a Haze,” while heady tracks such as “Gravity” and “Without You” are charged with swelling riffs and splashy percussion as they explore notions of emotional and physical yearning.” 
~ Beatroute BC

"Savannah Leigh Wellman’s unmistakable seductiveness consigned the crowd into a 
prolonged frenzy. With their meticulous riffs, conducted by Wellman’s sweeping vocals, every song resounded as a rock ‘n’ roll adage, fully willing and capable of sending the horde into a full on swing.” 
~ Discorder Magazine

Band Members