Splitting Adam
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Splitting Adam

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Band Rock Pop

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This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

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Press


"Province Music Review"

"The lead-off track, "Sleeping With Strangers," is a pulsing, moody rocker that really reminds me of 1980s acts like The Fixx, Idle Eyes and others. The second tune, "Daylight," is more of a power ballad. Both are ridiculously well-produced and played. The singer is particularly strong." Stuart Derdeyn - The Vancouver Province Newspaper


"CD Review - 4 out of 5 stars"

SPLITTING ADAM (Self Titled CD) - A local quintet with more than a fleeting idea of what it takes to craft and produce top-flight contemporary rock. Soaring choruses, pitch-perfect harmonies and rolling-and-tumbling dynamics driven by chunky guitars and tight-wire drums. Eight meticulously detailed songs and a cover art package like nothing you've seen before. DOWNLOAD THIS: "Everything The Same" (Independent) 4/5 - TV WEEK - Greg Potter


"Vancouver indie rockers' album art lands them in L.A. for music awards"

http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/Vancouver+indie+rockers+Splitting+Adam+chasing+Grammy+this+weekend/2501116/story.html

Few independent acts can say they've landed a Grammy nomination, but Vancouver band Splitting Adam is one of them.

The band's latest self-titled effort received a nod in the Best Recording Package category thanks to its stunning conceptual design, making Splitting Adam the only independent act on this year's Grammy nominations list.

"We were in a bit of a state of shock when we heard," Splitting Adam drummer Jordo said. (The band's members go by first names only.)

"It was a bit of a relief as well because we really worked hard for it."

Splitting Adam's design draws from the album's storyline: the study of Adam, a fictional character whose bipolar persona is illustrated via a "split" box that slides open to reveal a 3-D image morphing from passive lamb to aggressive ape depending on the angle you're looking from.

The box also features medical charts and other graphic elements that reveal more detailed information about the protagonist's story.

To bring its vision to life, Splitting Adam approached Vancouver design firm Rethink Communications, which had been looking for this type of project for a while.

"They told us from the very beginning that they wanted to get a Grammy nomination," Jordo said. "It was nice to know that this project was going to be beneficial for both sides. It was a no-brainer, and it just took off."

Rethink and its creative director, designer Jeff Harrison, had already been nominated in a similar category at the 2008 Juno Awards for their work with Vancouver band Vonnegut Dollhouse, and are now involved in the design of a Wu-Tang Clan limited edition box-set.

Technically, Splitting Adam's Grammy-nominated album design is nothing short of brilliant.

First, each of the band's five members was shot individually in 3-D by photographer Clinton Hussey.

The five "rotating" photos were then morphed into one single "character" and combined with the CGI lamb and ape created by Vancouver's Goldtooth Creative.

The final animation was then transferred into holographic form by the Royal Holographic Museum in Victoria before being sent out for production in Russia.

Harrison said the Splitting Adam project was "one of the most technical packages we've ever done."

When the album was completed, Harrison submitted it to the Grammys for consideration, and the band eventually got the call saying the album had made it into the category, nominated alongside Spinal Tap's Back From The Dead, Brian Eno and David Byrne's Everything That Happens Will Happen Today and Neko Case's Middle Cyclone.

Jordo and Harrison both said the nomination was a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," and that they were looking forward to travelling to Los Angeles to attend the technical awards ceremony taking place on Sunday afternoon before the "real Grammys" are held at the Staples Center in the evening.

That the nomination focuses on the album's packaging rather than the music it contains isn't a letdown at all, Jordo said.

If anything, he explained, it could be a roundabout way to get more visibility and gather new fans.

"When you're an independent band and you can say you've been nominated for a Grammy in anything, it doesn't matter."

fmarchand@vancouversun.com
© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun - Vancouver Sun (Francois Marchand)


"From garage to Grammys"

http://www.bclocalnews.com/surrey_area/langleytimes/entertainment/79849132.html

Looks like the New Year will find members of Splitting Adam dusting off their tuxedos.

But for the Vancouver-based indie band the party doesn’t really get started until Jan. 31 in Los Angeles. That’s when they’ll find out whether they’ll be taking home the Grammy for Best Recording Package.

The nomination is based on the band’s self-titled CD’s cover which splits open down its middle to reveal a holographic image of singer Seren, turning into wild fanged beast as the package is tilted back and forth.

The band’s guitarist and background vocalist Thompson Tran was raised in Langley. He took a few minutes to talk a little about the band, what a Grammy nomination can do for them and what’s next for the quintet.

Langley Times: What does it mean from an independent artist’s point of view to be nominated for a Grammy in this category?

Thompson Tran: We are thrilled, and it is another win for us. A lot of little great things will ultimately lead to much bigger things — baby steps. The category itself is not what we are really infatuated with, but rather the fact that a completely self-funded, independent band can achieve a goal that only one per cent of the world’s population will ever achieve.

LT: Talk a bit about the band itself.

TT: We have been together for five years, with three original members together for over 13 years. We work hard at it every day, and truly believe in our craft.

The focus for us at the present time, is exposure over a broad range of media. We have managed in the past, without external funding, or assistance, to license our singles to Major NBC TV shows, EA’s Need For Speed - Undercover video game. We’ve also performed alongside Canada’s top symphony orchestras.

We find a great balance in our music through true fusion of musical influences brought forth by each member. Ultimately, we would like to accomplish what bands like U2, Coldplay, and Depeche Mode have been able to do — create timeless music.

LT: What type of music do you play and where do you perform?

TT: The music style is similar to those bands I mentioned earlier.

It does cross borders, and we hope that it relates to a wide spectrum of people. We thrive on that which any soul instantly gravitates towards: Thoughts, dreams, and experiences.

We play the circuit in Vancouver on a regular basis, and will be touring Canada in the New Year. (For details go to www.myspace.com/splittingadam).

LT: You’re from Langley originally. Where did you grow up? Go to school?

TT: I grew up across from Langley City Hall, where my parents worked tirelessly to provide for our family. Although just tailors, they took pride in doing a good job. I attended Langley Secondary School from Grade 8 to 12, and achieved great things in music there.

LT: How did you first get into music? Was it through school or on your own in a garage somewhere, or both?

TT: It was my classical guitar lessons at age 9 that started the journey. Bruce Clausen at LCMS provided lots of support, and taught with enthusiasm and love.

I eventually went on to high school, where I quickly realized that my strengths were those in the arts.

The natural progression was to take music courses, to completely engulf myslef in the music department. I was there early mornings, late afternoons and at many extra-curricular activites.

I went ont to study classical guitar at UBC in the performance program, and eventually graduated with both a Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Education.

The garage band thing began as it would for most people, at age 14/15. We would jam, and just enjoy the fact that we had this gift to share music and to create.

LT: What’s on the horizon for Splitting Adam?

TT: We have the Grammys in January, ELAN awards (for video games), Comic-Con street party in July in San Diego.

The band will also embark on a cross-Canada tour in the New Year.

Appearances are scheduled on Urban Rush, Global TV, and CTV to promote the CD and the Grammy nomination. Meanwhile, we’re waiting to hear from the Junos about nominations and we’re in talks with a German label.

We’ll also be playing with www.videogameslive.com, which is a world-wide tour that combines orchestral music with videogames.

Keep an eye on our myspace page, as we will be updating festival dates as they occur.
- Langley Times


"Grammy Time"

http://www.bclocalnews.com/greater_vancouver/northshoreoutlook/entertainment/83485167.html

Antonio Rosselli’s voice is raspy.

“I’ve been popping vitamin C like crazy,” he says.

No matter the fever, or stuffed nose, or prickly throat, Rosselli was going to make it to Los Angeles.

Nothing would stop him from attending the 52nd Annual Grammy’s Awards. His band, Splitting Adam, was up for “Best Recording Package.”

Investing in CD packaging in a time where the majority of people simply turn to their computer, could be considered questionable, the North Vancouver mail carrier admits.

But if something truly unique was designed, Splitting Adam saw it as a tool to draw more people to their music. Anyway, no matter what people say, when you slide your album across the table to a music producer, first impressions count.

On the CD’s cover Jeff Harrison, from Rethink Communications, morphed Splitting Adam’s five band members’ faces into one. Like sliding doors the self-titled album opens from the middle. Inside there’s a hologram of the same face, but if you tilt it one way the face grows lamb ears and the other way it, sprouts ape-like features.

“It shows the two sides of the band,” Rosselli says.

So last Saturday, the morning of the glitzy event, he packed his best suit, flew to LAX and by 1 p.m. was standing on the red carpet at the entrance of Staple Centre.

The band’s CD cover nomination was not part of the big A-listers parade held on the main stage, but Rosselli still got to brush shoulders with the likes of Canadian rock icon Neil Young. More than 100 awards were given out, all for different components of the music industry. With so many categories, the pace was fast.

Their category was up fourth and there was no time for nerves. It came and went. They didn’t win, but the exposure of just being there among the sea of talent was priceless, Rosselli says. The CD cover had accomplished what it set out to do.

The attention also help Splitting Adam’s track On My Own, gain airtime on Virgin Radio. It’s nice to hear it being played, Rosselli says, all the members have worked hard to get to this point.

Last summer the band played in Video Games Live, a concert with the Vancouver Symphony. Their song On My Own is also featured in the video game Need For Speed Undercover. They’ve done several tours across Canada and the band’s MySpace page is packed with concert listings. At the moment Splitting Adam is seeking a label, but even if signed Rosselli guesses it won’t slow the band’s pace.

“I don’t think we would ever stop,” he says. “We want to continue moving forward.”
- North Shore Outlook (Rebecca Aldous)


Discography

Clouded Lens (album)
Vertical Drop (EP)
Distractions (album)
3 Steps Forward (EP)
Splitting Adam (album)

Photos

Bio

Splitting Adam - 2010 GRAMMY nomination! "Best Recording Package".
Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Splitting Adam has been seducing ears with their charisma, hook-laden melodies and expressive songwriting for over a decade. Their distinctive style has garnered praise across North America, generating comparisons to some of contemporary music’s greatest talents. Seren's vocals and presence unite the finer elements of Eddie Vedder, Bono, and David Bowie. Combined with golden guitar riffs and pulsing rhythms, Splitting Adam continues to progress with its impressive list of accomplishments: four independent albums, featured tracks on major American TV shows (NBC) and best-selling video games (EA’s “Need For Speed – Undercover”), national radio support, and most recently being hand-picked to perform on the groundbreaking 2009 Video Games Live tour.

To step back, Splitting Adam established their formative roots in 1996 and have been gaining momentum ever since. They solidified the current line-up in 2005 and with the release of their new self-titled full length album, Splitting Adam has truly become an unstoppable force.

“Splitting Adam's sound is a fusion of musical influences that each member brings to the table,” Thompson notes. “We recognize our individual styles and by embracing these differences, we’ve been able to create our own identity.”

Their latest CD possesses lush, emotional songs brimming with sophistication and lasting melodies. Seren describes the band’s objective as being akin to what definitive artists such as Coldplay and Depeche Mode have accomplished: timeless music.

Splitting Adam thrives on that which any soul instantly gravitates towards: personal experience, thoughts, observations, and dreams. “Our songs are mostly personal and emotional, but we also infuse subtle political undertones in the lyrics. We want to write great music that crosses international boundaries, and put on tours that push the envelope of live performances.”

Produced by Joe Cruz and Jeff Dawson, the new album advances the distinctness and originality for which Splitting Adam is respected. Still, the band is not content to sit back and rest on their accomplishments.

While the band’s music has been generating considerable acclaim and attention, Antonio reveals, that in order to fully appreciate Splitting Adam, one must experience them onstage. It is in this capacity, "live", that Splitting Adam truly stands out.

“Our live shows never disappoint. We’re tight musically, we write memorable songs, and even in an intimate setting, we have the energy of a stadium show. It’s very important to us that we give the audience more than what they expect, and that they gain a new perspective of Splitting Adam from every show.”

www.myspace.com/splittingadam
www.splittingadam.com