Local band in Hollywood

By Sarafina Sanerivi 13 January 2016, 12:00AM

A local musician, Sio Silva, is a proud man. He has every reason to be. 

As the manager and founder of the Silva Bullet Band, one of their original songs “Close to You” has been picked up as the theme song for a new film called “How to Let Go of the World” by Josh Fox.

Mr. Silva said he is overwhelmed.

“I felt like I was over the moon. I mean this is something big and unexpected,” he said. 

Mr. Silva said Josh Fox visited Samoa last year. During the trip, he dined with his friends at the Lupe Sina Treesort where the band was playing.

“I was surprised when he [Josh Fox] walked up to me and introduced himself. He then asked me if we had an original song."

“I told him that we have original songs which will be in our new album. And then he requested if we could sing it because he said he loved our band.”

‘Close to You’ was one of them. Written by Mr. Silva’s daughter, Octavia Leuila Silva, Mr. Fox was hooked right away and asked Mr. Silva for permission to use the song.

 “Of course I had to say yes. I mean who wouldn’t.”

But the best news was yet to come for the 62-year-old musician.

“When I agreed to use our song, I didn’t think that it would be the main song for the movie. But when Josh emailed me again and told me the good news, I was super-excited and I was grateful.”

Mr. Silva saw this as a great opportunity to showcase raw talents within the youth of Samoa. 

“As a musician, I know that the art of music is very powerful, yet our youth are not pursuing it. Many fail to believe that music can provide for our families and can help promote our country to the rest of the world." 

“We have too many lawyers, too many accountants, and doctors, but our music industry is starting to fade away slowly. We have a few locals who are earning a lot out in the world through music and I believe that we need to push our youth towards this career path.”

He believes that if they were able to achieve this, others could do it as well.

“As long as you do it with passion and do it right.”

Mr. Silva declined to discuss how much money they are being paid but he is certain that the song will be a “hit in the States”.

“I am proud of this and I hope this will motivate our youth who are passionate about music to pursue their passions and believe in their dreams.”

The movie is scheduled to premiere on 23 January 2016 at the Sundance Film Festival. 

“How to Let Go of the World” is an odyssey that goes to 12 countries on six continents to investigate climate change. 

Directed by Josh Fox, the film has many important stories of courage and community in the face of climate catastrophe.

By Sarafina Sanerivi 13 January 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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