X Ambassadors

X Ambassadors

X Ambassadors in December 2015
Background information
Also known as XA
Origin Ithaca, New York, United States
Genres
Years active 2009–present
Labels
Associated acts
Website xambassadors.com
Members
  • Sam Harris
  • Casey Harris
  • Noah Feldshuh
  • Adam Levin

X Ambassadors (also stylized XA) is an American rock band from Ithaca, New York. It currently consists of lead vocalist Sam Harris, keyboardist Casey Harris, lead guitarist Noah Feldshuh, and drummer Adam Levin. Their most notable songs include "Jungle", "Renegades", and "Unsteady". The band's debut full-length album, VHS, was released on June 30, 2015.

History

2009–12: Ambassadors EP and Litost

X Ambassadors began as a band titled simply Ambassadors, touring with artists such as LIGHTS. During this time, they self-released their debut EP, Ambassadors EP, creating a music video for its lead single, "Tropisms". Shortly after, the band self-released its debut LP, Litost, which included the song "Litost", which would later be used on the soundtrack for The Host. The band signed a music publishing deal in 2012 with SONGS Music Publishing.[1] The band started a Kickstarter account to shoot a video for the lead single, "Unconsolable," which would be re-recorded later.[2] "Unconsolable" by them was on the Love Songs Drug Songs EP. The group was noticed by Imagine Dragons while frontman Dan Reynolds was sick in the hospital in Norfolk, Virginia. Reynolds heard an acoustic version of "Unconsolable" on 96X WROX-FM and asked Interscope to sign the band as soon as possible.[3][4]

2013–14: Love Songs Drug Songs EP and The Reason EP

X Ambassadors released their debut major label EP, Love Songs Drug Songs in 2013. The EP included the track "Stranger" co-written by Dan Reynolds.[5] In promotion of the EP they toured supporting Imagine Dragons, Jimmy Eat World and The Mowglis. In 2014, the band released a second major label EP, The Reason. In promotion of the new EP, X Ambassadors will support Panic! at the Disco and Imagine Dragons on their respective tours. They also featured in The Knocks' single "Comfortable" from their second EP with the same name.

2015–16: VHS and The Knocks collaboration

VHS is X Ambassadors' debut LP. The album was released June 30 via digital download, vinyl record and CD. The album features 20 tracks, including 7 interludes and 3 previously released songs for a total of 10 new songs. The album features collaborations with Jamie N Commons and Imagine Dragons.

X Ambassadors appeared as a collaboration on their earlier title "Comfortable" with The Knocks', which was originally released back in 2013, as part of the duo's debut album, entitled 55, which was released in March 2016. However, later on in the year, X Ambassadors lead singer Sam Harris was reunited with the duo in their new collaboration, entitled "Heat", which was released in October 2016.

Influences

In an interview with Caitlin White, X Ambassadors declared themselves distinctly rock with few characteristics commonly associated with indie bands.[3] They referenced Incubus, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Michael Bolton as heroes.[3] These bands can be heard as influences on X Ambassadors's sound.

Band members

Current Members

Sam Harris and Casey Harris are brothers, and have been friends with Feldshuh since kindergarten in Ithaca. Sam met Levin while attending the New School in New York City in 2006.[6][7]

Casey Harris has been blind since birth.[8]

Discography

Studio albums

Title Details Peak chart positions Certifications
US
[9]		 CAN
[10]		 FRA
[11]		 GER UK
[12]
VHS 7 2 85 56 41

Extended plays

Title Details Peak chart positions
US Heat
[9]
Ambassadors1
  • Released: 2009
  • Label: Ambassadors
  • Format: Digital download
 —
Love Songs Drug Songs 11
The Reason
  • Released: 22 April 2014
  • Label: KIDinaKORNER, Geffen Records, Interscope Records
  • Format: Digital download
 7
"—" denotes album that did not chart or was not released.

Singles

As lead artist

Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[16]		 AUS
[17]		 AUT
[18]		 CAN
[19] 		FRA
[11]		 GER
[20]		 IRE
[21]		 ITA
[22]		 NL
[23]		 UK
[12]
"Tropisms"[24]1 2009 — — — — — — — — — — N/A
"Unconsolable"[25]1 2012 — — — — — — — — — —
"Unconsolable" (New version)[26] 2013 — — — — — — — — — — Love Songs Drug Songs
"Jungle"
(with Jamie N Commons featuring Jay Z)[27]		 2014 87 — — 63 55 44 62 — 85 18 VHS
"Renegades" 2015 17 43 25 6 10 10 65 4 32 38
"Fear"
(featuring Imagine Dragons)		 — — — — — — — — — —
"Unsteady" 2016 20 94 — 61 — — — — — —
"American Oxygen" — — — — — — — — — — Non-album single
"Collider"
(with Tom Morello)		 — — — — — — — — — — VHS 2.0[37]
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

As featured artist

Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[16]		 AUS
[17]		 AUT
[18]		 CAN
[19] 		FRA
[11]		 GER
[20]		 IRE
[21]		 ITA
[22]		 NL
[23]		 UK
[12]
"Comfortable" The Knocks featuring X Ambassadors) 2013 — — — — — — — — — — 55
"Sucker for Pain"
(Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, Imagine Dragons, Logic and Ty Dolla $ign featuring X Ambassadors) 		2016 15 7 6 19 18 8 18 19 18 11 Suicide Squad: The Album
"Heat"

(The Knocks featuring Sam Nelson Harris)

 — — — — — — — — — — TBA
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Guest appearances

Year Title Album
2013 "Love of a Life"
(Keljet featuring X Ambassadors)		 N/A
"Wicked Ways"
(Eminem featuring X Ambassadors)		 The Marshall Mathers LP 2
2014 "Comfortable"
(The Knocks featuring X Ambassadors) 		So Classic
2015 "Transmission"
(Zedd featuring Logic and X Ambassadors)		 True Colors
"Cannonball"
(Skylar Grey featuring X Ambassadors)		 N/A

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result Ref
2015 Teen Choice Awards Choice Music: Rock Song "Renegades" Nominated [41]
2016 Hollywood Music in Media Awards Best Song – Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film "Sucker for Pain" Nominated [42]
iHeartRadio Music Awards Alternative Rock Artist of the Year X Ambassadors Nominated [43]
Alternative Rock Song of the Year "Renegades" Nominated
Billboard Music Awards Top Rock Artist X Ambassadors Nominated [44]
Top Rock Song "Renegades" Nominated
American Music Awards Favorite Artist - Alternative Rock X Ambassadors Nominated [45]

Notes

    Notes

    References

    1. ↑ "SONGS Music Publishing". Songspub.com. Retrieved 2016-04-29.
    2. ↑ "Help Ambassadors Make Two Music Videos! by Jacob Albert — Kickstarter". Kickstarter.com. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
    3. 1 2 3 "Introducing: X Ambassadors, Brooklyn's Least "Indie" Rock Band | Pigeons & Planes". Pigeonsandplanes.com. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
    4. ↑ "X Ambassadors Interview - 92 WICB". YouTube. Retrieved 2016-04-29.
    5. ↑ Matt Collar (2013-05-07). "Love Songs Drug Songs - X Ambassadors | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
    6. ↑ Weston, Liana (August 2013). "Meet X Ambassadors, the Brooklyn Indie Rockers Who Are About to Be Everywhere". Teen Vogue. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
    7. ↑ Treves, Robert (10 May 2013). "X Ambassadors Love Songs Drug Songs Review". Indiecurrent. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
    8. ↑ Min, Lilian (7 April 2014). "X Ambassadors: Sam Harris On Headlining Tours And Living The Major Label Dream". Neon Tommy. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
    9. 1 2 "X Ambassadors – Chart History: Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media.
    10. ↑ "X Ambassadors – Chart history: Billboard Canadian Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
    11. 1 2 3 "Discographie X Ambassadors". French Charts Portal. Hung Medien.
    12. 1 2 3 "X Ambassadors/Jamie N Commons". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
    13. ↑ "Ultimate Music - X Ambassadors "VHS" (iTunes+)". Ultimate Music. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
    14. ↑ "Gold & Platinum - RIAA". RIAA. Retrieved 2016-06-12.
    15. ↑ "Canadian certifications – X Ambassadors". Music Canada. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
    16. 1 2 "X Ambassadors – Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
    17. 1 2 Ryan, Gavin (October 31, 2015). "ARIA Singles: Adele Says 'Hello' No 1". Noise11. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
    18. 1 2 "Discographie X Ambassadors". Austrian Charts Portal. Hung Medien.
    19. 1 2 "X Ambassadors – Chart History: Billboard Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
    20. 1 2 "Discographie X Ambassadors". German Charts Portal. Hung Medien.
    21. 1 2 "Discographie X Ambassadors". Irish Charts Portal. Hung Medien.
    22. 1 2 "Discographie X Ambassadors". Italian Charts Portal. Hung Medien.
    23. 1 2 "Discografie X Ambassadors". Dutch Charts Portal. Hung Medien.
    24. ↑ "Ambassadors "Tropisms"". YouTube. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
    25. ↑ "Ambassadors - Unconsolable on Vimeo". Vimeo.com. 2012-10-19. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
    26. ↑ "X Ambassadors - Unconsolable". YouTube. 2013-10-25. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
    27. ↑ "X Ambassadors, Jamie N Commons - Jungle". YouTube. 2014-06-17. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
    28. ↑
    29. ↑
    30. ↑ "ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2016 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
    31. 1 2
    32. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (X Ambassadors)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
    33. ↑ "FIMI - Certificazioni - FIMI". Fimi.it. 2001-11-23. Retrieved 2016-04-29.
    34. ↑ "Gold/Platinum". Music Canada. Retrieved 2016-09-08.
    35. ↑ "Gold & Platinum".
    36. ↑ "Canadian digital download certifications – X Ambassadors – Unsteady". Music Canada.
    37. ↑ "VHS 2.0 by X Ambassadors". Apple Inc. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
    38. ↑ "Gold & Platinum - RIAA". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
    39. ↑ "ARIA Australian Top 50 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. September 26, 2016. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
    40. ↑ "FIMI – Profilo" (in Italian). Federation of the Italian Music Industry. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
    41. ↑ Staff, Variety (17 August 2015). "Teen Choice Awards 2015 Winners: Full List". Variety. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
    42. ↑ Glasgow, Scott. "2016 Hollywood Music in Media Awards Nominations Announced | Film Music Reporter". filmmusicreporter.com. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
    43. ↑ "iHeartRadio Music Awards 2016: See the Full Winners List". Billboard. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
    44. ↑ "Billboard Music Awards 2016: Complete Winners List". Billboard. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
    45. ↑ "AMAs 2016: See the Full List of Winners". Billboard. Retrieved 21 November 2016.

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