Nad Sylvan (born 4 June 1959) is a U.S. born Swedish progressive rock musician and songwriter, who is currently the vocalist in Steve HackettâÂÂs band Genesis Revisited and has also maintained a solo career and collaborations with several other musicians.
Born Hugh Erik Stewart on June 4, 1959 in West Covina, California, to tennis player Hugh Wright Stewart and Swedish socialite Agnete Sylvan, he showed a keen interest in music from his early years, with an increasing gift for singing and playing piano, keyboards, and guitars.
After drifting through the progressive rock and punk rock eras he signed to âÂÂPlanet Recordsâ in 1983, releasing the disco single âÂÂMidnattâ (âÂÂMidnightâÂÂ), sung in Swedish. He then collaborated with âÂÂHasse Carlsson and the Tectivesâ as second keyboardist and back up singer, for his first real touring experience in Sweden. After a name change to âÂÂOne by OneâÂÂ, now with Christopher (his mother had renamed him Christopher after their return to Sweden) as the bandôs lead singer, they released two singles,âÂÂDancing Monoâ and âÂÂSay You NeverâÂÂ. Although enjoying numerous live experiences and TV shows, no album materialised and the band eventually broke up.
Between 1989 and 1996, Stewart remained isolated in his studio, determined to find his own personal style as a musician, eventually releasing his first solo album in 1995, âÂÂThe Home RecordingsâÂÂ, subsequently re-released in 1999 as âÂÂBlue WatersâÂÂ. A close friendâÂÂs tragic suicide in 1997 led to the composition of a mini pop opera tribute, âÂÂThe Life of a HousewifeâÂÂ, comprising 15 songs. At that time, Christopher decided to change his name to Nad Sylvan. After uploading the album onto mp3.com, interest followed from Michael B. Tretow (ABBAâÂÂs audio engineer) and a collaboration began, culminating with many successful live appearances at the âÂÂNalenâ in Stockholm and the release of the CD âÂÂSylvaniteâ in 2003.
In October of that year, Sylvan attended a concert of Canadian Genesis tribute band The Musical Box, touring âÂÂSelling England by the Poundâ at the Royal Albert Hall. His enthusiasm for the performance led him to the Genesis website/forums where he met Bonamici (aka. Christian Thordin), starting a successful collaboration, âÂÂSylvan and BonamiciâÂÂ, that led them to the âÂÂUnifaunâ project. Meanwhile, Sylvan became star reviewer Steve GilmoreâÂÂs âÂÂArtist of the Yearâ (December 2003), thanks to his song âÂÂYellow Skyâ from âÂÂSylvaniteâÂÂ. In 2008, âÂÂUnifaunâ was released by âÂÂProgress Recordsâ and is now considered a cult album. It was repackaged in 2013 with new album artwork by Claude Martin.
After the âÂÂUnifaunâ project, Sylvan was discovered by Roine Stolt of The Flower Kings, which led to the birth of the band âÂÂAgents of MercyâÂÂ. In 2009, Sylvan began touring with the band to promote âÂÂThe Fading Ghosts of TwilightâÂÂ. The band toured successfully around Europe and the US and released three albums through to 2011: âÂÂDramaramaâÂÂ, âÂÂPower of TwoâÂÂ, (live album with Karmakanic) and âÂÂThe Black ForestâÂÂ.
In April 2012, Sylvan caught the attention of Steve Hackett, former guitarist and songwriter ofàGenesis (1970âÂÂ1977), who had enjoyed considerable solo success since leaving the band. With the creation of the "Genesis Revisitedâ project, Sylvan sang on the Genesis Revisited II album, followed by the Hammersmith and the Royal Albert Hall live albums released in 2013 and 2014. Sylvan also began a successful world tour at this time, with âÂÂGenesis Revisitedâ playing theatres and concert halls.
In October 2015, another Genesis Revisited live album/DVD was recorded at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, coinciding with the release of his solo album âÂÂCourting the Widowâ by Inside Out Music (Sony), that was well received by critics and fans alike. Further success followed with âÂÂThe Bride Said NoâÂÂ, released in May 2017, featuring contributions by virtuoso musicians.
In January 2018, Steve Hackett released his fourth live album with Sylvan as vocalist, recorded at the Birmingham Symphony Hall. Much appreciated and requested, Sylvan took part in many other projects with bands and artists in the prog world.
In July 2019, Sylvan released a new solo album ("The Regal Bastard"), while at the same time touring with Steve Hackett for his seventh year of collaboration on the "Genesis Revisited" project.
Sylvan continued to tour globally with Genesis Revisited during 2023.
Nad Sylvan was born Hugh Erik Stewart on June 4, 1959 in West Covina, California (USA) to the tennis player Hugh Wright Stewart and 19 year old Swedish socialite Agnete Sylvan. The couple settled in Sweden, but soon HughâÂÂs father returned to California. After the divorce of his parents, Hugh was renamed Erik Christopher by his mother (1966) and, after adopting his mother's surname too (Sylvan), began the evolution of his artistic name that would later become Nad Sylvan.
From his earliest years Nad was involved with music. At primary school, he often sat by the piano or at the classroomâÂÂs harmonium, discovering the cross hand technique and performing songs with the dream of recording and sending his own compositions to Jimi Hendrix.
During this period he was raised by his grandparents, Astrid and Erik Sylvan, who, despite being a little strict with him, encouraged his passion for music. When, aged eleven, he left his grandparentsâ house, there was a two year gap in his contact with music and that was when Christopher discovered his love for horses and riding. He reconnected with music in 1973, becoming the lead singer of his first band, the short-lived and unsuccessful âÂÂWhite LightningâÂÂ. In 1975 he fronted âÂÂEnvoysâÂÂ, touring Sweden and singing Uriah Heep covers, like âÂÂJuly Morningâ and âÂÂEasy LivingâÂÂ. He was also influenced by Alice Cooper.
Between 1976 and 1979 Prog Rock became his realm. He could play every kind of keyboard (organ, Minimoog, Elka string synthesiser, Fender Rhodes and Mellotron) without putting aside his deep fondness for singing. His band, âÂÂAvenueâÂÂ, was influenced by Genesis, Yes, Gentle Giant and Camel. Punk rock arrived also on the scene at this time and in 1980 he formed the âÂÂChris Stewart BandâÂÂ, writing music in the style of Gino Vannelli and Al Jarreau. His interest in various musical genres expanded considerably. He enriched his collection of keyboards with a Yamaha electric Grand Piano (Yamaha CP-80) and a Roland Jupiter-4.
In 1983 Chris signed to Planet Records and released a Disco single, âÂÂMidnattâ (Midnight), sung in Swedish. He then joined âÂÂHasse Carlson and the TectivesâÂÂ, touring Sweden for a year with a repertoire in Swedish. When Hasse left the band, the remaining members changed the name to âÂÂOne by Oneâ and with Chris as lead singer, released two singles: âÂÂDancing Monoâ (written by Chris) and âÂÂSay You NeverâÂÂ. No album could be released at that time because the record company had put the band on hold. In Spring 1987 the offer to support two Lionel Richie shows in Stockholm and Gothenburg arrived. However, as the band hadnâÂÂt played together for some time, the experience proved disappointing.
From 1989 to 1996 Chris confined himself to his studio, searching for his own style and musical identity and focusing on writing songs. The idea of changing his name from Chris Stewart into something less serious and more captivating came after the release of his first complete album in 1995, âÂÂThe Home RecordingsâÂÂ, subsequently re-titled âÂÂBlue Waters â and re-released in 1999 as an mp3 album. At this time, Chris was drawn to male artists with female names like Alice Cooper and Marilyn Manson and started to consider the name Nadine. However, he performed a number of successful shows under the name âÂÂSylvanâÂÂ.
A pivotal transformation in his career came when one of his friends, known as âÂÂThe Housewifeâ (because of his penchant for female dresses) committed suicide at the age of 36. Reflecting on the brevity of life, Chris composed a mini pop opera to celebrate him, eventually producing fifteen songs (including an earlier composition, âÂÂStrangersâÂÂ, made with âÂÂOne by OneâÂÂ) and releasing an album, âÂÂThe Life of a HousewifeâÂÂ.
Chris started searching for a record company, paying visits to Stockholm and London. ThatâÂÂs when he definitively found the perfect name. While thinking about Nadine, he was asked for his first name and answered âÂÂNad, full name, Nad SylvanâÂÂ. Though on that occasion he didnâÂÂt earn a record deal, a new era began with this identity. He was contacted by AbbaâÂÂs audio engineer Michael B. Tretow, who was determined to collaborate with him on some project. Part of their joint venture ended up as a commercial for Swedish corporate âÂÂEricssonâÂÂ.
In 1999 Nad, considering the internet as the perfect platform for an unsigned artist, uploaded âÂÂHousewifeâ on mp3.com. Meanwhile, one of NadâÂÂs friends, âÂÂPärtanâÂÂ, and Conny Bloom from âÂÂElectric BoysâÂÂ, were appearing on stage at the âÂÂNalenâ in Stockholm. One night Nad was asked to join them on stage to perform âÂÂKeep on RunningâÂÂ. It was a great success, with the audience giving Nad a standing ovation, and he became a regular guest on Sunday nights. In 2001 Nad felt inspired to create some heavy music and found himself working on âÂÂSylvaniteâÂÂ, his third album, which surfaced in 2003 on mp3.com.
Genesis has been Nad SylvanâÂÂs favourite band since 1975. He first saw the band in Stockholm in 1977 on the âÂÂWind & Wutheringâ tour, the last one Steve Hackett performed with them. Years later, while browsing an Internet forum, Nad discovered that the Canadian Genesis tribute band The Musical Box was on tour with âÂÂSelling England By The PoundâÂÂ. He attended the concert at the Royal Albert Hall, in October 2003, and was captivated by the accuracy in reproducing an exact replica of the 30 years old show, complete with stage props, costumes and lights.
Again, while browsing an internet forum, Nad met Bonamici, author of a song in perfect Genesis style. Under the name âÂÂSylvan and Bonamiciâ the two musicians started to produce songs, in the spirit of Genesis, but with their own distinctive stamp, and uploaded them to SoundClick.
Meanwhile Nad, thanks to his song âÂÂYellow Skyâ from âÂÂSylvaniteâÂÂ, became Steve GilmoreâÂÂs âÂÂArtist of the YearâÂÂ. Gilmore had also praised BonamiciâÂÂs work and when he found out that he and Nad were working together, he offered to promote them.
The project was challenging requiring four years in the making. Eventually, Nad Sylvan and Bonamici signed to Progress Records releasing âÂÂUnifaunâ in 2008, subsequently re-releasing it in 2013, with new artwork by Claude Martin. This is now considered a cult album.
The âÂÂUnifaunâ album had been out for two months when Nad was contacted by another Swedish Prog guru Roine Stolt from The Flower Kings and they formed "Agents of MercyâÂÂ. Sadly, in the midst of recording their debut album, NadâÂÂs mother died in February 2009, leaving him with the greatest sorrow of his life. He proceeded to finish a song that had been playing in his head for more than 10 years and understood then that it had a very special purpose all along. Nad went on to perform âÂÂLong Way from Homeâ at his motherâÂÂs funeral.
In September/October 2009, âÂÂAgents of Mercyâ went on the road with a tour around Europe and the US to promote âÂÂThe Fading Ghosts Of TwilightâÂÂ. This was part of the great transformation in NadâÂÂs career, that had started with the âÂÂUnifaunâ chapter. After the tour he recorded three studio albums with âÂÂAgents Of MercyâÂÂ, toured Europe and the US a few times and made another trip to âÂÂRoSfestâ in Gettysburg in 2012.
Because of the difficulties caused by the bandâÂÂs members being scattered across different parts of the world, âÂÂAgents of Mercyâ ended that year.
On 16 April 2012 a call came from Steve Hackett. Steve and Nad had met for the first time in 2009 at a âÂÂNight of the Progâ show in Europe. As well as recording several solo albums after he left Genesis, Steve had released also two âÂÂGenesis Revisitedâ albums, in 1996 and 2012, the latter featuring extensive vocal contributions by Nad Sylvan.
Rehearsals for a long âÂÂGenesis Revisitedâ tour started in London in March 2013. The tour covered the US, Europe, and Japan. This was followed by summer festivals in Europe and another tour of 19 shows covering the East coast of the US and back to England for 12 shows, including one at the Royal Albert Hall on October 24.
In October 2015 NadâÂÂs solo album, Courting the Widow, released by Inside Out (Sony), was well received by critics and fans alike, featuring artwork by the painter Claude Martin. The lyrics of the songs also marked the introduction of the Vampirate character.
During the years to 2018, âÂÂGenesis Revisitedâ toured the US several times, performed extensively in South America, Europe and the UK and also appeared in Australia and New Zealand as well as participating in numerous Prog festivals and the âÂÂCruise to the EdgeâÂÂ. In some shows the band was joined by a symphonic orchestra, rendering the Genesis experience even more authentic for the audience.
NadâÂÂs second solo album of the trilogy dedicated to the Vampirate<nowiki/>'s story, âÂÂThe Bride Said NoâÂÂ, emerged in May 2017 on the Inside Out label to great success and critical acclaim. The album, with artworks by Marcela Bolivar and Claude Martin, included contributions by an array of famous musicians in the Prog world, such as Steve Hackett, Tony Levin, Guthrie Govan, Doane Perry, Roine Stolt, Nick D'Virgilio and some widely-respected female musicians and singers such as Jade Ell, Tania Doko and Sheona Urquhart. Nad also began a collaboration with Anders Wollbeck, as well as with his old friend Jade Ell. In January 2018 Nad appeared on the fourth live album with Steve Hackett.
In NadâÂÂs seventh year with âÂÂGenesis RevisitedâÂÂ, after two cruises for Prog and Rock fans and during an extensive concert tour started in April 2019, Inside Out publishes âÂÂThe Regal Bastardâ (July 2019), third solo album concluding the tale of the Vampirate. It features a collaboration with British guitarist Guthrie Govan (on the track "I Am The Sea") and many other illustrious musicians from the world of Prog.
Complete discography: