Today we’d like to introduce you to Ian Stahl and his band, Cilience..
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I began writing songs at an early age. I took this hobby more seriously as I grew older. I was lucky enough to have a mentor in college who encouraged me to pursue music as a career and encouraged me to branch out from songwriting into improvising, music technology, and composing. I started Innovation Out Loud with friend and collaborator Ben Muller in 2014; we focus on scoring multi-media projects (film, dance, theater). In 2015, I was accepted into the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) Performer Composer MFA program and drove west. The CalArts experience shaped my definition of what is possible as an artist and I am so grateful to have been able to go.
Since finishing CalArts in May of 2018, I have focused on writing, performing, and recording with my band Cilience, collaborating on various projects through Innovation Out Loud, and working as a recording engineer and producer.
Please tell us about your art.
The power of music amazes me. The right song at the right time can impact the lives of people all over the world. As a songwriter and lyricist, I feel a responsibility not only to entertain (which I very much enjoy) but to speak on a deeper level about the topics that our country and our world face today. My music does not attempt to answer these questions for the listener; they are windows into my thoughts on these issues. I hope by peering through them, you might think more about these issues and find your own solutions.
My band Cilience and I just released our first EP, “Fetters and Feathers.” “Cilience” means viewing all those around you as an individual whose life is as complex and intricate as your own; as individuals, we can change our world for the better, if we take the initiative to do so. My lyrics revolve around this theme of empowerment and are inspired by social issues, poetry, and other artists or art forms. Alongside drummer Michael Anetsberger, bassist Eric DeLuca, and keyboardist Michael “Janzie” Janz, we create high energy music advocating for positive change.
The song “Fetters and Feathers” advocates for racial equality and was inspired by Dr. Maya Angelou’s autobiography, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.” Dr. Angelou remains the epitome of the American spirit; she overcame the intense adversity of her childhood to become a force for equality and change in our country. We are excited to announce the release of the music video for “Fetters and Feathers” as well. We had the pleasure of working with choreographer/director/dancer Kate Coleman. When we first met, Kate and I were discussing various projects when she told me about her idea for a dance video titled, “Unity.” The choreography and video were to be a celebration of acceptance, portraying a cast of different kinds of people coming together to dance as soloists and in unison. At the time, “Fetters” was in the mixing stages and we listened through while looking at the video treatment (a rough script with images and inspirations). We realized that we were making art along the same lines before we ever met! It was wonderful to combine our efforts to make the video a reality. I hope that the song, dance, and video inspire those who need uplifting, spur on those who are hesitant to take action, and encourage everyone to think deeper about how our actions impact one another and our planet.
Do you have any advice for other artists? Any lessons you wished you learned earlier?
Though it may no longer feel like it, we still live on the cusp of the digital age. This time of transition has uprooted many of the foundations of the music industry, and we, as musicians, are still feeling some of those aftershocks. Record labels, artist relations, even the concept of “selling” music have changed drastically in the last fifteen years. In some ways, I feel like being a musical artist has never been easier. Technology has made it so that we can create hit songs from the comfort of our own home – even from your phone. However, that doesn’t mitigate the fact that you need to create great music and learn to navigate this technology at a professional level. Whatever it is that you do, do your absolute best! We are able to make our work available to people all over the world instantaneously, but to stand out, you need to find your niche. There is so much more content readily available than ever before; creating a following and finding ways to support your art have become much harder because of the competition. Artists now must be their own managers, producers, and marketers because record labels are dying or only signing artists that come with ten thousand followers (at least). Perhaps now more than ever, artists need each other and their communities for support.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
You can support Cilience via our Patreon account here. We regularly post instrumental tutorials, pre-release tracks, and other goodies:
Patreon.com/cilienceband
You can also check out our website and subscribe to our mailing list: www.Cilience.com
Here are a few other platforms:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/64FIESg8z1M9EZNc1x0c3S?si=a8DpBcglSCy_ndNA4_VO_Q
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/fetters-and-feathers-ep/1389290519
Bandcamp: cilience.bandcamp.com
Instagram: instagram.com/cilienceband
Facebook: facebook.com/ciliencela
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYlKNpBpvu40cn0J2ccuXhQ
Also, you can check out what Innovation Out Loud is up to at www.InnovationOutLoud.com
Or view my personal website at www.IanStahlMusic.com
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cilience.com
- Phone: (954) 817-6377
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cilienceband
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ciliencela
- Other: https://www.innovationoutloud.com/
Image Credit:
Cilience photo shoot – Beshar Al Azawi
Photos from the Bootleg Theater 6/10/18 – Xanthe Pajarillo
Fetters and Feathers Album Art – Sam Chen
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
