Sillken
Michéle Schmidt, born in Canada with roots in Germany, has lived in Texas, Baltimore and Toronto. She has also traveled extensively in the past. She began her musical journey as a teenager teaching herself how to read music and play the guitar. She had an opportunity to study classical guitar at Wilfrid Laurier University with a master player from Budapest. After moving to Toronto, she continued her studies with Eli Kassner, a student of Andre Segovia and master teacher for Liona Boyd and Jesse Cook. During this period, she was also perfecting her own songwriting skills and has written an abundance of songs. She embarked on a solo career focusing on her own songs and making the rounds amongst folk clubs in Toronto, Ontario. During her stays in Dallas, Baltimore and Philadelphia, she made her rounds in local clubs. Most recently, she made the move to Vancouver, BC with an interest to broaden her songwriting and creative vocal stylings where she performs solo and in a duo with Ken Cade. Most recently Sillken was awarded the 20th L.A. Music Award for Acoustic Duet of the Year.
Ken Cade studied at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto as a teenager than studied with Terry Hallowick, Violinist in the Toronto Symphony who helped prepare him for successful auditions for the Chicago Civic Orchestra (training orchestra for the Chicago Symphony) and DePaul University in Chicago. Ken received a scholarship and studied music at DePaul for five years concentrating on violin and vocals. After his university years, he began work in the film business. He was an assistant editor for many years, in charge of sound design for many commercials. He started his own sound design and jingle company Sound Bytes in Toronto and Edible Audio in Vancouver. Ken has won numerous Bessie awards for his commercial work. He has also been the sound editor/designer for many successful TV series and feature films (e.g., The Outer Limits, Poltergeist, Star Gate, Highlander and The 4400, Godiva). He was nominated three times for an Emmy Award, Gemini Award, Golden Reel Awarded two Leo Awards.
Instrumentation
Michèle Schmidt, guitar, vocals Ken Cade, electric violin, vocals
Discography
Sillken in Wonderland EP produced by Winston Productions, 2012
Breathe - Holiday compilation, Canadian Lung Association - Christmas Time, 2011
W.O.A. compilation CD - Adios Barcelona , 2011
Damitow Records - charity compilation CD for women's causes - Way of Life, 2010
A Very Vancouver Xmas compilation CD Vol. 4, 2009
2009 Sillken 5 song CD sampler produced by Winston Productions and Sound Bytes BY-R Records compilation CD, 2009
ExposeYourMuse Compilation CD, 2009
A Very Vancouver Xmas Vol. 3, 2008
Four song demo sampler, 2008
Acoustika Vol. 6 compilation - 272 Records, 2007
Sillken’s latest project titled “Sillken In Wonderland” continues in their traditional eclectic style of storytelling. Their lead single “In Wonderland” is a beautifully laid out song that was inspired by a friend’s painting which Michéle named Alice (and now owns). This inspired the entire Alice in Wonderland theme, which is the reason behind the Tea Party scenario. This song has a slower tempo compared to other songs on this EP. Its energy is whimsical yet it holds on to the folk/pop/rock sound they are well known for. This song has catchy verses, a catchy melody, is quite memorable due to their unique writing and delivery of their stories. This song, as do all of their songs, covers the overall folk/pop/rock genre variations with such creativity and cleverness. It is very reflective of the duo’s performances with just voice, guitar and violin.
Sillken released an earlier EP, which was more voice, guitar and violin and was reflective as a duo performance. This new EP has more of a full sound due to the addition of drums, bass, violin.
“Sillken In Wonderland” is available at most digital storefronts including but not limited to:
www.sillken.com
www.reverbnation.com/
www.sonicbids.com/
www.myspace.com/
www.facebook.com/
www.twitter.com/
http://c1.promofm.com/
Sillken is currently working with A & R Select based in West Hollywood, California. for licensing, publishing, a record deal and/or placement opportunities. For additional information, please contact them at:
323-924-5897
www.arselect.com
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
