Artist: Band of Silver
Single: Machine
Nashville’s sibling-trio Band of Silver have released their new single, “Machine.” The track is available anywhere you get your music.
Band of Silver is made up of lead singer, Avery Silvernagel, and her younger brothers Alex and Evan on guitar and drums. While their affinity for music began in childhood, the siblings officially started the band in high school when Avery was only 19. According to the band, they stuck to the “traditional Nashville way of writing music” at first but eventually branched out to what they call a combination of “vintage rock, 80’s new wave, and modern pop.”
First, I think an all-sibling band is so sweet—I love that they are going after their dreams as a family. I also love that the band’s name is a play on the siblings’ surname. So fun.
Of the single, Avery says, “Machine is about the feeling of losing your autonomy and your body and mind becoming disconnected. I wrote the song after being diagnosed with pituitary failure. I was told I would be dependent on hormones and drugs for the rest of my life. The experience made me realize how many tasks my body performed subconsciously that I took for granted. The thought that I would never have control over these functions again made me feel powerless, like I had lost a part of myself I never knew existed or could be taken away. I felt like my soul was trapped in a machine that constantly needed fuel and repairs in order to function.”
After listening to “Machine”, it’s safe to say that there is nothing country about Band of Silver, despite their Nashville roots. The track opens with a spacey, techy synthesizer, and I’m immediately reminded of 80’s art-rock band, Talking Heads. When Avery’s low, sultry voice comes in, you can feel the emotions behind her words—anger, powerlessness, and desperation. The song builds into an intense chorus where Avery’s voice gets increasingly more powerful.
“Machine” is a raw, vulnerable look into the emotions behind a chronic medical issue. Avery longs for her freedom, singing, “Remember my days as human/And though I long for a normal life/I’m still restrained by my automation/I’m a machine.” She also expresses fear that she’s “lost all [her] potential” since being diagnosed. While “Machine” certainly showcases Avery’s struggles, the track ends on a more empowering, positive note, with lyrics like, “Drugs and cables cannot bind me/I am solid, I am steel/I may feel artificial/But I know my soul is real.” This is a song that not only anyone who suffers from a chronic illness or disability can relate to, but also anyone who struggles with the knowledge that our bodies inevitably degrade over time.
Overall, I really liked “Machine.”
Check out Band of Silver on their website, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.