Split Chain Return With New Single ‘sylvia (i won’t belong to you)’
Photo by Ashlea Bea
Bristol nu-gaze outfit Split Chain have returned with brand new single sylvia (i won’t belong to you), marking their first release since dropping their debut album motionblur last year.
The track arrives following a huge breakthrough period for the band, whose debut record propelled them onto stages around the world and into the spotlight as one of the most exciting new names in heavy alternative music.
Speaking about the new single, frontman Bert Martinez-Cowles explained that the song was born from a strange moment of calm after an intense year for the band: “sylvia was written at a very odd time for us. After finishing one of the busiest and best years of our lives, from our first time in the US to dropping our debut album, it was the first time we had a bit of time to ourselves. We were back in the ‘real world’, taking everything in that we’ve missed and truly realised why we do this in the first place.”
He continued: “The world is horrible, hate is everywhere and living just feels like a constant struggle, with the people in control who act like it’s a game. It was a ‘Truman Show’ feeling that we couldn’t shake, which is where the song was created from, with the name being based on the character Sylvia.”
The reference nods to the iconic film The Truman Show, with Martinez-Cowles saying the song reflects the feeling of existing in a strange, artificial world and the desire to escape it.
“It’s a song about how it feels that we’re living in this made up, messed up world and the wanting to not be a part of it and escape to a better place, a different time.”
Since the release of motionblur, Split Chain’s rise has been nothing short of explosive. The band have racked up over 165 million global streams and spent much of the past year touring internationally alongside heavy hitters including Landmvrks, Underoath, Counterparts and Thrown. Catch them live this year on the dates below.
MARCH
13 OKLAHOMA CITY Diamond Ballroom (w/ The Devil Wears Prada)
14 FT. WORTH Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall (w/ The Devil Wears Prada)
15 SAN ANTONIO Vibes Event Center (w/ The Devil Wears Prada)
17 TUCSON Rialto Theatre (w/ The Devil Wears Prada)
18 LAS VEGAS House of Blues (w/ The Devil Wears Prada)
20 RIVERSIDE Riverside Municipal Auditorium (w/ The Devil Wears Prada)
21 SAN DIEGO SOMA (w/ The Devil Wears Prada)
22 SACRAMENTO Ace of Spades (w/ The Devil Wears Prada)
24 SPOKANE Knitting Factory (w/ The Devil Wears Prada)
25 BOISE Knitting Factory (w/ The Devil Wears Prada)
27 SALT LAKE CITY The Depot (w/ The Devil Wears Prada)
28 DENVER Summit (w/ The Devil Wears Prada)
29 LAWRENCE Granada (w/ The Devil Wears Prada)
31 MINNEAPOLIS The Fillmore (w/ The Devil Wears Prada)
APRIL
1 MADISON Sylvee (w/ The Devil Wears Prada)
2 GRAND RAPIDS The Intersection (w/ The Devil Wears Prada)
3 CLEVELAND House of Blues (w/ The Devil Wears Prada)
5 RALEIGH The Ritz (w/ The Devil Wears Prada)
7 JACKSONVILLE Five (w/ The Devil Wears Prada)
8 FT. LAUDERDALE Revolution (w/ The Devil Wears Prada)
10 MRYTLE BEACH House of Blues (w/ The Devil Wears Prada)
11 ATLANTA The Masquerade (w/ The Devil Wears Prada)
12 NASHVILLE Brooklyn Bowl (w/ The Devil Wears Prada)
14 TORONTO Hard Luck Bar (w/ Soul Blind)
15 HAMTRAMCK The Sanctuary (w/ Soul Blind)
16 CHICAGO Reggie’s Music Joint (w/ Soul Blind)
23 VANCOUVER The Pearl (w/ Soul Blind)
24 SEATTLE The Vera Project (w/ Soul Blind)
25 PORTLAND Polaris Hall (w/ Soul Blind)
27 BERKELEY Cornerstone (w/ Soul Blind)
28 LOS ANGELES Lodge Room (w/ Soul Blind)
29 MESA The Rosetta Room (w/ Soul Blind)
MAY
1 AUSTIN 29th Street Ballroom (w/ Soul Blind)
3 HOUSTON White Oak Music Hall (w/ Soul Blind)
7 BALTIMORE Ottobar (w/ Soul Blind)
8 PHILADELPHIA Ukie Club (w/ Soul Blind)
9 NEW YORK Bowery Ballroom (w/ Soul Blind)
10 ALLSTON Brighton Music Hall (w/ Soul Blind)
JULY
8 CHELTENHAM 2000 Trees Festival
AUGUST
10 MANCHESTER Academy (w/ Kittie)
11 LONDON 02 Academy Islington (w/ Kittie)
