American Authors

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This article is about the band. For a list of American-born authors, see List of American novelists.

American Authors
American Authors at Heaven London, 2014 (1).jpg
American Authors performing at London's nightclub Heaven in November 2014
Background information
Also known asThe Blue Pages (2006–2012)[1]
OriginBoston, Massachusetts, United States
Genres
Years active2006–present
Labels
Associated acts
Websiteweareamericanauthors.com
Members
  • Zac Barnett
  • Dave Rublin
  • Matt Sanchez
Past members
  • James Adam Shelley

American Authors (formerly known as “the blue pages”) is an American rock band based in New York City currently signed to Island Records.[2] It currently consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Zac Barnett, bassist Dave Rublin, and drummer Matt Sanchez. Former member includes lead guitarist and banjoist James Adam Shelley. They are best known for their hit singles "Believer" and "Best Day of My Life" from their debut album Oh, What a Life, as well as their top 20 hit, "Go Big or Go Home", from their second album, What We Live For.

History[]

2006–11: Early years[]

The members of American Authors met each other while attending Berklee College of Music in 2006.[3] The quartet spent their first years in Boston recording and performing music under the name the Blue Pages and recorded Surrounded by Wolves, Bear Fight, Night Hawke, Anthropology and Rich With Love. In May 2010 the band opened up for Cash Cash on the Robots in High-Tops tour.[4][5] In 2010, the band relocated to Brooklyn. On December 1, 2010, the Blue Pages independently released their single "Run Back Home" on iTunes.[6]

2012–14: Name change, American Authors[]

In 2012, the group changed their name to American Authors.[7] In January 2013, the band was signed to Mercury Records.[8] Their debut single, "Believer," garnered attention through alternative rock radio.[9]

Singer Barnett at Highfield Festival 2014

American Authors released their self-titled debut EP on August 27, 2013.[10] In 2013, American Authors won Overall Grand Prize in the 18th Annual USA Songwriting Competition with their song "Believer". The group was number nine on Billboard's chart of Top New Artists for 2014.[11] In July 2015, the band was picked as Elvis Duran's Artist of the Month and was featured on NBC's Today show hosted by Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb and broadcast nationally where they performed live their single "Best Day of My Life".

2015–present: What We Live For, Seasons and forthcoming fourth studio album[]

From 2015 to 2016 they worked on their second album What We Live For. The band released their single "I Wanna Go Out" on August 3, 2017. The song is included as the fourth track of their third studio album, Seasons. They also released their Christmas song, "Coming Home to You," on November 19, 2017.

In 2018, the band appeared in the Bar Rescue episode "Not Clear for Takeoff" when they did recon for The Airliner, and also performed at the bar's grand re-opening. The band released their single "Deep Water" on May 17, 2018, precluding their third studio album.[12] In December, they announced the title of the third album Seasons, released on February 1, 2019.[13]

The third single from Seasons, "Say Amen", was released on November 16, 2018. The fourth single, "Neighborhood", was released on December 7, 2018. The fifth single, "Stay Around", was released on January 11, 2019.

The eighth single from Seasons, "Bring It On Home", was featured in an official trailer for the American documentary film, The Biggest Little Farm on January 29, 2019.

On January 17, 2020, the band released a new single titled "Microphone". On February 28, they released a song with Seeb titled "Best I Can".

On April 23, 2021, it was announced on Instagram page that James would no longer part of the band, However, American Authors continued as a trio to recording their new music.[14]

On June 25, 2021, American Authors released their first single as a trio, without James Adam Shelley and released their song "Nice and Easy" which features Mark McGrath the lead singer of Sugar Ray.[15]

In other media[]

Their song "Hit It" is featured on EA Sports game, FIFA 14.[7] Their song "Best Day of My Life" was used in an MLB Fan Cave commercial and is the title music of Sky Sports News' My Special Day feature. It has also been featured in a television spot for the movie The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, in an episode of the television show The Vampire Diaries and in 2013 Boston Red Sox World Series championships.[16] The song was ranked number one on Billboard's chart of Adult Pop Songs for 2014.[17] Their song "Home" was featured in a movie trailer for the movie This Is Where I Leave You and in a video honoring troops and their families.[18]

Their second single, "Best Day of My Life", was featured in, among other things, a Lowe's television advertisement in the United States, a Hyundai television advertisement in the United Kingdom, an advertisement in South Africa for Castle Lager,[19] a Telecom New Zealand advertisement,[20] a trailer for the film Delivery Man, Pro Evolution Soccer 2015, the Konami video game, the opening sequence for ESPN's 2013 World Series of Poker coverage, a trailer for the film Earth to Echo, a trailer for the film How to Train Your Dragon 2, the film Humpback Whales, and a trailer for the film St. Vincent. The song is also featured in the video game "Guitar Hero Live".[21] The song was also used in an advert for Centerparcs in the UK. The song won the newly established Sync Music Award at the SESAC Pop Awards 2015.[22][23] Their song "Go Big or Go Home" was featured in NBA videos showing highlights from the 2015 playoffs. The band members also had cameos in the TV show "Bar Rescue"[24]

Festivals, concerts and other events[]

The group has appeared at various music festivals, concerts and other events, including: Lollapalooza,[25] SXSW Music Festival,[26] Firefly Music Festival,[27] Reading Festival,[28] Leeds Festival,[29] Bunbury Music Festival,[30] Freakfest,[31] Grammys on the Hill (an awards ceremony honoring artists and legislators who have improved the environment for music creators),[32] BottleRock Napa Valley,[33] Keloorah, Pukkelpop, and Polartec Big Air at Fenway.[34] As well as the 2017 run of Vans Warped Tour, and opening the 2016 Walmart shareholders concert.

Band members[]

Current members

  • Zac Barnett (Born June 15, 1986) – lead vocals, guitar (2006–present)
  • Dave Rublin (Born March 8, 1987) – bass, backing vocals, keyboards (2006–present)
  • Matt Sanchez (Born October 19, 1987) – drums, percussion, backing vocals (2006–present)

Former members

  • James Adam Shelley (Born August 17, 1984) – lead guitar, backing vocals, keyboards, banjo, mandolin (2006–2021)

Barnett grew up in Minnetonka, Minnesota, Shelley grew up in Tallahassee, Florida, Rublin grew up in Maplewood, New Jersey, and Sanchez grew up in San Antonio, Texas.[35][36]

Discography[]

Main article: American Authors discography

Studio albums

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "The Blue Pages". Myspace. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
  2. ^ "Island Records". Island Records. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
  3. ^ "American Authors Interview". Archived from the original on February 8, 2013. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
  4. ^ "Robots in High-Tops Tour". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
  5. ^ "Feel Forever Young With Cash Cash On The Robots In High-Tops Tour". Top40-Charts.com. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
  6. ^ "Run Back Home - Single". iTunes. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b "Round Hill Music". Roundhillmusic.com. Archived from the original on December 5, 2014. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  8. ^ "American Authors sign to Mercury Records". Archived from the original on June 6, 2013. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
  9. ^ "A-Sides with Jon Chattman: Tres! American Authors, Hunter Valentine, and Clementine & The Galaxy". The Huffington Post. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
  10. ^ "AMERICAN AUTHORS, We're releasing our debut EP in August!". Weareamericanauthors.com. Archived from the original on July 21, 2015. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
  11. ^ "Top New Artists". Billboard.com. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
  12. ^ "American Authors 'Deep Water' music video — a literal take on the song title to some extent". June 7, 2018.
  13. ^ "AMERICAN AUTHORS' ANNOUNCE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED THIRD ALBUM, SEASONS, OUT 2/1/19". December 7, 2018.
  14. ^ "American Authors part ways with James Adam Shelley with the band continuing as a trio". April 23, 2021.
  15. ^ "American Authors Unevil Summer Anthem "Nice & Easy"". June 25, 2021.
  16. ^ "Red Sox". Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  17. ^ "Adult Pop Songs". Billboard.com. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
  18. ^ "Honoring our troops". Youtube.com. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  19. ^ "Castle Lager". Castlelager.co.za. Archived from the original on February 13, 2015. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  20. ^ YouTube. Youtube.com. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
  21. ^ "Guitar Hero". Guitar.com. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  22. ^ "SESAC". Sesac.com. Retrieved May 15, 2015.
  23. ^ "SESAC". Musichistorian.net. Retrieved May 15, 2015.
  24. ^ "A Serious Fire Hazard - Bar Rescue (Video Clip)". Paramount Network. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  25. ^ "Lollapalooza". Suntimes.com. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  26. ^ "SXSW". Vh1.com. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  27. ^ "Firefly". Vh1.com. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  28. ^ "Reading". Youtube.com. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  29. ^ "Leeds". Leedsfestival.com. Archived from the original on December 20, 2014. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  30. ^ "Bunbury". Bunburyfestival.com. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  31. ^ "Freakfest". Host.madison.com. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  32. ^ "Grammys on the Hill". Grammy.org. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  33. ^ "BottleRock". Pressdemocrat.com. Retrieved June 1, 2015.
  34. ^ "Pukkelpop". Pukkelpop.be. Archived from the original on December 14, 2014. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  35. ^ "Interview". Charged.fm. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  36. ^ "Minnetonka". Americansongwriter.com. Retrieved November 27, 2014.

External links[]


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