After three sold out shows at London’s O2 Shepherds Bush Empire earlier this month Lifehouse will return to the UK for a full UK tour across the country in February 2011 to promote their fifth studio album, 'Smoke & Mirrors'. Their recent dates were their first in the UK for seven years.
Still in their twenties, Los Angeles-based Lifehouse have an impressive resume. Founding members Jason Wade and drummer Ricky Woolstenhulme Jr. met in Los Angeles and formed the band in the late 90s. Lifehouse released its smash debut 'No Name Face' in 2000, which launched them to global stardom. Their breakout single 'Hanging by a Moment' was the single most played radio track of 2001. Over the next few years – joined first by a replacement, bassist Bryce Soderberg and more recently by new member, guitarist Ben Carey - Lifehouse built upon that initial success.
Combined album sales are over 5 million and Lifehouse singles have sold over 3 million copies online including number one hits 'Hanging By a Moment' and 'You and Me.' Later Lifehouse singles 'First Time,' 'Whatever It Takes,' and 'Broken' have also achieved major chart and sales success. From very early on, Lifehouse fans demonstrated a resilient loyalty to the band, so much so that several of the band's hits still maintain chart positions on iTunes, years after their initial release. The band also has a formidable online presence – their video streams are at 70 million and counting.
Lifehouse has always done well on radio, TV, and online, but just as impressive is their take-no-prisoners approach to touring. When Lifehouse's fourth album 'Who We Are' came out in the spring of 2007 it set the band on a near-relentless tour that should have pushed them to the brink of insanity. Instead, they hung out on days off and made the road a way of life.
In the fall of 2008, when the band finally came off the road from supporting 'Who We Are', they were on a post-tour high and urgently wanted to bring that visceral live energy to the next album. So they got together with Jude Cole, the producer of 'Who We Are', and began working on new material both at Cole's Ironworks Studio and at Jason's recently built home studio, Castle View. But instead of putting themselves on their usual strict schedule, the band decided to take their time with this record. As a result, it was a real creative journey.
Lifehouse ended up spending a year recording upwards of thirty-five tracks before settling on the twelve songs that make up 'Smoke & Mirrors' (many of the rest will be included on a deluxe edition). The record is loosely split between rock tracks meant to capture the feel of seeing Lifehouse live, and extremely catchy, sing-along pop songs. The first single, 'Halfway Gone,' collaboration with acclaimed rapper/songwriter Kevin Rudolf is most definitely in the latter camp. It's an irresistible pop rock song featuring explosive, driving guitars and a chorus that feels instantly familiar. Lifehouse fans approve of the evolution; 'Halfway Gone' is already the fastest growing single in the band's history, reaching the top twenty within three weeks of its release. Rudolf also worked on 'Falling In,' another potential pop hit.
Rudolf was not the only high profile collaboration on 'Smoke & Mirrors'. The band also worked with American Idol alum Chris Daughtry, whom Jason met and became friends with on the road. The song, to which Daughtry contributes vocals and Richard Marx also co-wrote; is a blistering, anthemic example of the kind of music that made Lifehouse fans fall in love with the band in the first place. It belongs alongside the more traditional rock tracks on 'Smoke & Mirrors' like 'Nerve Damage' and 'Wrecking Ball' (bassist Soderberg's first lead vocal with the band), songs that capture the unparalleled feel of a Lifehouse show.
The band will deliver an actual, real live take on these songs very soon – they hit the road in support of 'Smoke & Mirrors' early next year. According to Lifehouse, it feels like they're doing this all again for the first time – they are inspired and excited about getting out there and playing these songs live. For the duration of Lifehouse's ten-year career they've been delicately balancing two identities: radio-ready song craftsmen and raucous live rock and roll band. On their forthcoming fifth studio album, 'Smoke & Mirrors', the band finally unites these two personalities.
To see Lifehouse on tour across the UK:
February 2011
Tuesday 22nd - Manchester Academy
Wednesday 23rd - Birmingham HMV Institute
Friday 25th - London Roundhouse
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