Articles and Interviews

David Sylvian by Ken Scrudato, Surface, April 2001

Sylvian Gives the People What He WantsBY RICHARD CROMELINAPRIL 5, 1988 Say you’ve come under the melancholy spell of David Sylvian’s richly atmospheric music–an autumnal wash of strings and electronics, with the singer’s low, tremulous voice roaming through the soundscape in search of the very essence of emotion.

Sylvian’s Fripperies by Steve Malins (Vox, July 1993) David Sylvian and Robert Fripp have combined forces to produce a new album, The First Time , but collaboration for the former Japan frontman and “aggressive perfectionist” hasn’t always run smoothly.

SYLVIAN / FRIPP by Steve Holtje (Creem Magazine September ’93) “There is no one structure which is universally appropriate,” wrote Robert Fripp in the liner notes to his 1981 album, Let the Power Fall. That bit of wisdom goes a long way towards explaining the far-ranging careers of both Fripp and David Sylvian. Both are respected musicians whose reputations were

By Stephen Holden, 16 December 1987

The Art Of Everything And Nothing by Justin Hampton (Stereotype, Feb. 2001)

The Art Of Noise by Ian Birch (Smash Hits, May 1984) What’s David Sylvian been doing since Japan broke up? Taking Polaroids, traveling, organizing an exhibition — oh and making a new record. “Art is my means of expression.” he tells Ian Birch.

David Sylvian – The Artist Breaks His SilenceReported by Sasha Stojanovic/Written by Tod EckertOnly Music, June 1987. The former glamour boy of Japan has changed his look and emerged from his musical exile.

  “The Day After” by John Diliberto (Jazziz Magazine May 1994) Crisis as a source of art has always been romanticized in the West. You’ve got to suffer if you want to sing the blues, cut off your ear if you want your art to bleed, and endure the pits of depression if you want to leave something behind when

by Josef Woodard

Alone in the middle of a forest in New England, David Sylvian embraced disillusionment, rejected false gods and embarked on a more austere songwriting regimen than ever before. For his latest studio album, Manafon, the former pop singer also made connections with electroacoustic improvisors including Keith Rowe, Evan Parker, John Tilbury, Polwechsel, Otomo Yoshihide and Toshimaru Nakamura. By Biba Kopf.

By KEN KAWASHIMA

David Sylvian: The Loner Emerges by Ted Drozdowski, Musician, May 1988

Interview by Laurie Lewis with David Sylvian as published in SOUNDS (UK), September 27 1986.As DAVID SYLVIAN settles into the quiet life of solo status, CHRIS ROBERTS appraises the significant stature of his post-Japan harmonics and post-mascara beauty. Gentleman in Polaroid by LAURIE LEWIS

Scared of Success: David Sylvian — The Man Who Would Be Invisible Simon Witter, i-D, November 1987

David Sylvian and the mysterious sound of inspiration by Paul Sharma, Wall Street Journal, 11 September 2009