Seize The Day were founded in 1997 by singer-songwriters Theo Simon and Shannon Smy, in order to celebrate and inspire the country's environmental movement. The band has grown to include between five and eight members. The band have played annually at the Glastonbury Festival, including the main stage in 1998, as well as The Green Gathering every year since the band formed. They have also played at many other Folk Festivals, including Cambridge, Towersey, Sidmouth, Ely and Stainsby. They also regularly perform at other festivals including Buddhafield, Off Grid, and Permaculture Gatherings. Because of their radical lyrics and songs, and their commitment to acting on their beliefs, they have also developed a wide following among grass-roots campaigners, playing at a large number of benefit gigs and protest meetings. Recently the band have elected not to fly, due to their concerns over the environmental impact of air travel.
Style
Although they have recorded several albums, the band is mainly known for its live work, which has gained them popularity on the folk and alternative scene. The music is enhanced by compelling vocal arrangements, with powerful lyrics addressing environmental and political themes. They are able to perform acoustically and outside with a solar-poweredPA.
Campaigning
Seize The day's political and environmental commitment has sometimes led to controversy. In 2003 they won the Audience poll for the BBC Radio 3 Awards for World Music, but were denied the award - and responded by protesting naked on the stage. Their music was featured however on the international CD Peace Not War, alongside Ani Difranco and Billy Bragg. Their international appeal was reflected in the BBC World Service listeners selection of Shannon as "pick of the week" in 2000, following her appearance on Everywoman. Before making the decision to no longer fly the band spent three months on a musical campaign tour promoting sustainable agriculture in India, visiting rural villages in Andhra Pradesh, helping to support farmers, and performing to policy makers. The band spent one Christmas supporting the Peace Movement in the West Bank, and helping to facilitate Palestinian access to basic services such as water. Seize The Day’s American tours have included a range of concerts supporting the Small and Family Farmers Alliance, as well as fund raising for various environmental campaigning organisations. They also performed as the headline band at the "Rally for Rural America" in Washington, D.C., the Biodevastation Conference in Boston, the May Day March in San Francisco and dozens of venues up and down the east and west coasts of the US and Canada. They also played to 5000 people at The KeyArena in Seattleon the eve of the WTO meeting.
Radio and television
Seize The Day have featured on the BBC Radio 4 programme Singing in the Wilderness, hosted by Tom Robinson. Lead singer Shannon Smy was subsequently interviewed for BBC World Service's Everywoman, reaching 45 million listeners worldwide. Smy's appearance was also selected for the Pick of the World programme, and Theo Simon was a guest on BBC Two’s Newsnight.
Instruments
Seize The Day members play a variety of instruments including:
