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American Authors

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

American Authors
American Authors performing in 2014
Background information
Also known asThe Blue Pages (2006–2012)[1]
OriginBoston, US
Genres
Years active2006–present
Labels
Members
  • Zac Barnett
  • Dave Rublin
  • Matt Sanchez
Past membersJames Adam Shelley
Websiteweareamericanauthors.com

American Authors, formerly known as the Blue Pages, are an American rock band originally from Boston, based in New York City, that consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Zac Barnett, bassist Dave Rublin, and drummer Matt Sanchez. Guitarist and banjoist James Adam Shelley is a former member. 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. The band, previously signed to Island Records, now releases music independently.[2]

History

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2006–2011: Early years

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The members of American Authors met 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. In May 2010, the band opened for Cash Cash on the Robots in High-Tops tour.[4][5] In 2010, they relocated to Brooklyn. On December 1, 2010, the Blue Pages independently released their single "Run Back Home" on iTunes.[6]

2012–2015: Name change, debut album

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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] On March 19, 2013, they released their most successful single to date, "Best Day of My Life".[10]

Vocalist Barnett at Highfield Festival 2014

American Authors released their self-titled debut EP on August 27, 2013.[11] In 2013, the group won Overall Grand Prize in the 18th Annual USA Songwriting Competition with their song "Believer".

They released their debut studio album, Oh, What a Life, on March 3, 2014, and subsequently ranked at number nine on Billboard's chart of Top New Artists for that year.[12] In July 2015, the band was picked as Elvis Duran's Artist of the Month and featured on NBC's Today show, performing the song "Best Day of My Life".

2015–2019: What We Live For, Seasons

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From 2015 to 2016, American Authors worked on their second album, What We Live For. The lead single, "Go Big or Go Home", was released on May 18, 2015, a year before the album's publication. On December 11, 2015, the band issued the single "Pride", and "What We Live For" followed on April 1, 2016. The album was released on July 1, 2016. "I'm Born to Run" was issued as the record's fourth and final single in 2017.

American Authors released the single "Deep Water" on May 17, 2018, preceding their third studio album.[13] In December, they announced the record's title, Seasons. Its third single, "Say Amen", came out on November 16, 2018, followed by "Neighborhood" on December 7 and "Stay Around" on January 11, 2019. The song "Bring It on Home" was featured in an official trailer for the documentary film The Biggest Little Farm on January 29, 2019. Seasons was released on February 1, 2019.[citation needed]

2020–2022: Counting Down, covers, and collaborations

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On January 17, 2020, American Authors released a new single titled "Microphone". On February 28, they published a song with Seeb, titled "Best I Can". On September 18, 2020, they released the EP Counting Down.

On April 23, 2021, the band announced on Twitter that James Adam Shelley would no longer be part of the band and that American Authors would continue without him.[14]

On June 25, 2021, American Authors released their first song as a trio, "Nice and Easy", which features Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray.[15] They also announced that they would be moving forward with their own independent label.[2] The band later teamed up with Rob Thomas and Santana for the song "Move", from the latter's most recent album, Blessings and Miracles. On October 29, 2021, they released an original Christmas song called 'Favorite Time of the Year".

In 2022, the band issued a cover of "Good 4 U" by Olivia Rodrigo and "Circles" by Post Malone, as well as two Christmas songs, "Christmas Karaoke" and "Sleigh Ride".

2022–present: Best Night of My Life, Call Your Mother

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On September 9, 2022, American Authors released "Blind for Love", the first single from their fourth studio album, Best Night of My Life, which came out on February 10, 2023.[16] They followed it on January 13, 2023, with the single "Best Night of My Life". On February 3, 2023, the third and final single, "We Happy", was released.[17]

After the release of Best Night of My Life, American Authors issued a few standalone songs online, beginning with a collaboration with Billy Raffoul, "Perfectly Imperfect", on August 18, 2023.[18] On November 1, they published a cover of "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond.[19] They ended the year by releasing two holiday singles, including the original song "Come Home to Me"[20] and a cover of "Christmas in Hollis" by Run-DMC.[21]

On March 11, 2024, the band announced their upcoming fifth studio album, Call Your Mother, scheduled to be released on October 18.[22][23] The lead single, "My Last Dime", came out on March 29 and was followed by "Daises" on April 19. The third single, issued on May 17, was a cover of "Save Tonight" by Eagle-Eye Cherry. The fourth single, "Can't Stand the Mourning", was released on June 21, 2024.[24] The fifth single, "Something Amazing", which features Rozes, was issued on July 26, 2024.

In other media

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The American Authors song "Hit It" is featured in the 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 appeared 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 the 2013 Boston Red Sox World Series championships.[25] The song was ranked number one on Billboard's 2014 Adult Pop Songs chart.[26] The song "Home" was featured in a trailer for the movie This Is Where I Leave You and in a video honoring troops and their families.[27]

American Authors' 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,[28] and a Telecom New Zealand advertisement.[29] It appears in a trailer for the film Delivery Man, in the Konami video game Pro Evolution Soccer 2015, in the opening sequence for ESPN's 2013 World Series of Poker coverage, in a trailer for Earth to Echo as well as How to Train Your Dragon 2, in the film Humpback Whales, and a trailer for St. Vincent. The track is also featured in the video game Guitar Hero Live.[30] The song won the newly established Sync Music Award at the SESAC Pop Awards 2015.[31][32] American Authors band members also had cameos in the TV show Bar Rescue.[33]

Festivals and events

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The group has appeared at various music festivals and events, including Lollapalooza,[34] SXSW Music Festival,[35] Firefly Music Festival,[36] Reading Festival,[37] Leeds Festival,[38] Bunbury Music Festival,[39] Freakfest,[40] Grammys on the Hill (an awards ceremony honoring artists and legislators who have improved the environment for music creators),[41] BottleRock Napa Valley,[42] Keloorah, Pukkelpop, and Polartec Big Air at Fenway.[43]

Band members

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Current

  • Zac Barnett – lead vocals, guitar (2006–present)
  • Dave Rublin – bass, backing vocals, keyboards (2006–present)
  • Matt Sanchez – drums, percussion, backing vocals (2006–present)

Past

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

Timeline

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Discography

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Main article: American Authors discography

Studio albums

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "The Blue Pages". Myspace. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
  2. ^ a b Krietzberg, Ian (June 28, 2021). "American Authors interview: Zac Barnett discusses the band's next chapter". The Young Folks. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  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. December 2010. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
  7. ^ 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. December 19, 2012. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
  10. ^ Cusson, Michael (January 2, 2013). "Adult Pop Airplay Songs". Billboard. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  11. ^ "We're releasing our debut EP in August!". American Authors. Archived from the original on July 21, 2015. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
  12. ^ "Top New Artists". Billboard. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
  13. ^ "American Authors 'Deep Water' music video — a literal take on the song title to some extent". June 7, 2018.
  14. ^ "Hey everyone it's Zac, Dave, and Matt". Twitter. April 23, 2021.
  15. ^ "American Authors Unevil Summer Anthem "Nice & Easy"". June 25, 2021.
  16. ^ "American Authors Announces New Album, Shares New Song "Best Night of My Life"". pmstudio.com. January 14, 2023. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  17. ^ Major, Michael. "American Authors Debuts Carefree 'We Happy'". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  18. ^ "Instagram". instagram.com. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  19. ^ "Instagram". instagram.com. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  20. ^ "Come Home to Me". instagram.com. November 20, 2023. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  21. ^ "Instagram". instagram.com. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  22. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  23. ^ "Instagram". instagram.com. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  24. ^ "Can't Stand the Mourning". musicbrainz.org. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
  25. ^ "Red Sox". YouTube. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  26. ^ "Adult Pop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
  27. ^ "Honoring our troops". Youtube. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  28. ^ "Castle Lager". Castlelager.co.za. Archived from the original on February 13, 2015. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
  29. ^ YouTube. Retrieved October 26, 2015.
  30. ^ "Guitar Hero". Guitar.com. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  31. ^ "SESAC". Sesac.com. Retrieved May 15, 2015.
  32. ^ "SESAC". Musichistorian.net. May 5, 2015. Retrieved May 15, 2015.
  33. ^ "A Serious Fire Hazard - Bar Rescue (Video Clip)". Paramount Network. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  34. ^ "Lollapalooza". Suntimes.com. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  35. ^ "SXSW". Vh1.com. Archived from the original on March 20, 2014. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  36. ^ "Firefly". Vh1.com. Archived from the original on July 20, 2014. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  37. ^ Discovered Magazine (September 19, 2014). "AMERICAN AUTHORS @ Reading Festival 2014". Youtube. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  38. ^ "Leeds". Leedsfestival.com. Archived from the original on December 20, 2014. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  39. ^ "Bunbury". Bunburyfestival.com. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  40. ^ "Freakfest". Host.madison.com. September 15, 2014. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  41. ^ "Grammys on the Hill". Grammy.org. Archived from the original on March 16, 2015. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  42. ^ "BottleRock". Pressdemocrat.com. Archived from the original on July 21, 2015. Retrieved June 1, 2015.
  43. ^ "Pukkelpop". Pukkelpop.be. Archived from the original on December 14, 2014. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
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