Everipedia Logo
Everipedia is now IQ.wiki - Join the IQ Brainlist and our Discord for early access to editing on the new platform and to participate in the beta testing.
X Ambassadors

X Ambassadors

X Ambassadors (also stylized XA) is an American rock band from Ithaca, New York. Its members currently include lead vocalist Sam Harris, keyboardist Casey Harris, 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. Their sophomore album, Orion

Background information
OriginIthaca,New York, United States
Genres
2009–present
Labels
Website
Members
Noah Feldshuh

History

2009–12: Ambassadors and Litost

X Ambassadors began as a band titled 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", shot and directed by Rodrigo Zedillo. 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.[6] The band started a Kickstarter account to shoot a video for the lead single, "Unconsolable", which would be re-recorded later.[7] 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 "Litost" on 96X WROX-FM and asked Interscope to sign the band as soon as possible.[8][9]

2013–14: Love Songs Drug Songs and The Reason

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.[10] 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 supported 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

VHS is X Ambassadors' debut LP. The album was released June 30, 2015 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. A special edition titled VHS 2.0 was released on June 10, 2016, with five additional tracks and the interludes removed.

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

On June 20, 2016, the band announced that Feldshuh would be taking an indefinite hiatus from the band to deal with personal issues.[11]

2017–18: Joyful (cancelled album)

X Ambassadors released four singles in 2017: "Hoping" in March, "Torches" in April, "The Devil You Know" in June, and "Ahead of Myself" in July.[12] They also performed at the 2017 National Scout Jamboree. The band was featured in a song by Eminem titled "Bad Husband", off his album Revival. They also performed in a song titled "Home" on the soundtrack for the Netflix film Bright. The song includes pop singer Bebe Rexha and rapper Machine Gun Kelly. X Ambassadors released their next single, "Joyful", on January 26, 2018.[13] Later that day they announced their second full-length album, Joyful, through their Instagram accounts, and pre-orders became available through their website.[14] The album was slated for an April 2018 release. On February 2, 2018, the band released another single off the album titled "Don't Stay".[15]

However, on April 19, 2019, over a year after the announcement of the album, it was announced that the band had cancelled it in favor of their new work for their new upcoming second studio album Orion. Lead singer Sam Harris stated that Joyful was the second iteration of their second album, and that they felt like the songs on it did not represent where they were at.[16] The singles released prior to the album's cancellation will continue to be available on streaming services.

2019–present: Orion

On January 25, 2019, X Ambassadors released their new song titled "Boom", which would serve as the lead single of their upcoming second studio album. A few months later, on April 19, 2019, the band released another new song titled "Hey Child", as the second single off their new album. The same day, the band announced that the title of their upcoming album would be Orion. A third single from the album, titled "Hold You Down", was released on May 31, 2019.[17] The album was released on June 14, 2019.[16]

On August 16, 2019, the band was featured on a song titled "In Your Arms", off of Illenium's third studio album titled Ascend.[18]

On August 23, 2019, the band released a stand-alone single titled "Optimistic".

The song centers around gun violence in the United States.[19]

Musical style and influences

In an interview with Caitlin White, X Ambassadors declared themselves distinctly rock with few characteristics commonly associated with indie bands.[8] They referenced Incubus and the Red Hot Chili Peppers as heroes.[8]

Philanthropy

In January 2017, Sam Harris participated in the official Women's March on Washington after-party.[20][21] Harris was joined by The National, Ani DiFranco, Samantha Ronson, Sleater-Kinney, and many others.

In March 2017, X Ambassadors performed a special show to benefit Planned Parenthood on International Women's Day.[22]

Following the benefit show, X Ambassadors released the song "Hoping" on March 10.[23][24] All proceeds from the song for the six months following its release were donated to the ACLU.[24]

In June 2017, X Ambassadors announced that they would donate all the proceeds from their Mississippi Coast Coliseum Show to Unity Mississippi - an LGBT charitable organization,[25] following the announcement that the State of Mississippi signed HB 1523 - the "Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act" into law.[26]

Band members

  • Sam Harris – lead vocals, guitar, saxophone, bass guitar, drums, percussion (2009–present)

  • Casey Harris – piano, keyboards, backing vocals (2009–present)

  • Adam Levin – drums, percussion (2009–present)

Former member

  • Noah Feldshuh – lead guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (2009–2016; currently on hiatus)

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.[27][28]

Casey Harris has been blind since birth.[29]

Noah Feldshuh is the nephew of actress Tovah Feldshuh.

Discography

Studio albums

TitleDetailsPeak chart positionsCertifications
US[30]BEL[31]CAN[32]FRA[33]GER[34]UK[35]
Litost
  • Released: February 7, 2012[36]
  • Label: Ambassadors
  • Format:CD,digital download,LP
  • Released under the name Ambassadors
VHS
  • Released: June 30, 2015[37]
  • Label:KIDinaKORNER,Geffen,Interscope
  • Format: CD, digital download, LP
71812855641
Orion
  • Released: June 14, 2019[40]
  • Label: KIDinaKORNER, Interscope
  • Format: CD, digital download
125
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.

Extended plays

TitleDetailsPeak chart positions
US Heat[41]IRE[42]
Ambassadors
  • Released: 2009
  • Label: Ambassadors
  • Format: Digital download, CD
  • Released under the name Ambassadors
Love Songs Drug Songs
  • Released: 7 May 2013
  • Label: KIDinaKORNER, Geffen, Interscope
  • Format: Digital download, CD
11
The Reason
  • Released: 22 April 2014 (re-released 9 June 2014)
  • Label: KIDinaKORNER, Geffen, Interscope
  • Format: Digital download, CD
762
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.

Singles

As lead artist

TitleYearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
US[43]AUS[44]AUT[45]BEL[31]CAN[46]FRA[33]GER[34]IRE[42]NL[47]UK[35]
"Tropisms"[48][1]2009Non-album singles
"Unconsolable"[49][2]2012
"Unconsolable"(New version)[50]2013Love Songs Drug Songs
"Jungle"(withJamie N Commons)[51]87635544628518VHS
"Renegades"2015174325661010653238
"American Oxygen]"[58]Non-album single
"Fear"(featuringImagine Dragons)VHS
"Unsteady"209461
"Collider"(withTom Morello)2016VHS 2.0[60]
"Hoping"[61]2017Non-album singles
"Torches"[62]
"The Devil You Know"[63]
"Ahead of Myself]"[64][3]
"Home"(withMachine Gun Kellyand Bebe Rexha)907432414313027749864Bright: The Album
"Joyful"[66]2018Non-album singles
"Don't Stay"[15][4]
"Boom]"[68]2019Orion
"Hey Child"
"Hold You Down"
"Optimistic"[69]Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
TitleYearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
US[43]AUS[44]AUT[45]BEL[31]CAN[46]FRA[33]GER[34]IRE[42]NL[47]UK[35]
"Wicked Ways"(Eminemfeaturing X Ambassadors)2013197The Marshall Mathers LP 2
"Comfortable"(The Knocksfeaturing X Ambassadors)201455
"Cannonball"(Skylar Greyfeaturing X Ambassadors)2015Non-album single
"Sucker for Pain"(Lil Wayne], Wiz Khalifa&Imagine DragonswithLogicandTy Dolla $ignfeaturing X Ambassadors)201615763519188181811Suicide Squad: The Album
"Heat"(The Knocks featuring Sam Nelson Harris)Testify EP
"Not Easy"(Alex Da Kid] featuring X Ambassadors,Elle Kingand Wiz Khalifa)7337Non-album single
"Bad Husband"(Eminem featuring X Ambassadors)2017[5]9468167694481Revival
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Guest appearances

YearTitleAlbum
2013"Love of a Life"(Keljet featuring X Ambassadors)Non-album single
"Wicked Ways"(Eminemfeaturing X Ambassadors)The Marshall Mathers LP 2
2014"Comfortable"(The Knocksfeaturing X Ambassadors)So Classic
2015"Transmission"(Zedd] featuringLogicand X Ambassadors)True Colors
"Cannonball"(Skylar Greyfeaturing X Ambassadors)Non-album single
2017"Bad Husband"(Eminem featuring X Ambassadors)Revival
2019"In Your Arms"(Illeniumwith X Ambassadors)Ascend

Music Videos

TitleYearDirector(s)
"Tropisms"12009Jackson Morton[48]
"Unconsolable"12013ENDS[50]
"Jungle"2014Emile Rafael & Alex Da Kid[51]
"Renegades"2015ENDS & Alex Da Kid[76]
"Unsteady"ENDS[77]
"American Oxygen"2016
"Low Life"Alissa Torvinen[78]
"Collider"Tess Harrison[79]
"Hoping"2017
"Ahead of Myself"Jake Kovnat[80]
"Joyful"2018Tess Harrison[81]
"Don't Stay"
"Boom"2019
"Hold You Down"Najeeb Tarazi[82]
"Hey Child"Sam Nelson Harris[83]

Notes

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef.
2015Teen Choice AwardsChoice Music: Rock Song"Renegades"Nominated[84]
2016Hollywood Music in Media AwardsBest Song – Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film"Sucker for Pain"Nominated[85]
iHeartRadio Music AwardsAlternative Rock Artist of the YearX AmbassadorsNominated[86]
Alternative Rock Song of the Year"Renegades"Nominated
Billboard Music AwardsTop Rock ArtistX AmbassadorsNominated[87]
Top Rock Song"Renegades"Nominated
American Music AwardsFavorite Artist - Alternative RockX AmbassadorsNominated[88]
2017Billboard Music AwardsTop Rock ArtistX AmbassadorsNominated[89]
Top Rock Song"Sucker for Pain"Nominated
"Unsteady"Nominated
Teen Choice AwardsChoice Rock ArtistX AmbassadorsNominated[90]

References

[1]
Citation Linkopenlibrary.org"Tropisms" single released under the name Ambassadors
Sep 22, 2019, 6:29 AM
[2]
Citation Linkopenlibrary.org"Unconsolable" single released under the name Ambassadors
Sep 22, 2019, 6:29 AM
[3]
Citation Linkopenlibrary.org"Ahead of Myself" did not enter the Billboard Canadian Hot 100, but peaked at number 28 on the Canadian Digital Song Sales chart. "X Ambassadors – Chart History: Hot Canadian Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
Sep 22, 2019, 6:29 AM
[4]
Citation Linkopenlibrary.org"Don't Stay" did not enter the Billboard Canadian Hot 100, but peaked at number 46 on the Canadian Digital Song Sales chart.
Sep 22, 2019, 6:29 AM
[5]
Citation Linkopenlibrary.org"Bad Husband" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 15 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart. "X Ambassadors – Chart History: Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
Sep 22, 2019, 6:29 AM
[6]
Citation Linkwww.songspub.com"SONGS Music Publishing". Songspub.com. Retrieved 2016-04-29.
Sep 22, 2019, 6:29 AM
[7]
Citation Linkwww.kickstarter.com"Help Ambassadors Make Two Music Videos! by Jacob Albert — Kickstarter". Kickstarter.com. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
Sep 22, 2019, 6:29 AM
[8]
Citation Linkpigeonsandplanes.com"Introducing: X Ambassadors, Brooklyn's Least "Indie" Rock Band | Pigeons & Planes". Pigeonsandplanes.com. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
Sep 22, 2019, 6:29 AM
[9]
Citation Linkwww.youtube.com"X Ambassadors Interview - 92 WICB". YouTube. Retrieved 2016-04-29.
Sep 22, 2019, 6:29 AM
[10]
Citation Linkwww.allmusic.comMatt Collar (2013-05-07). "Love Songs Drug Songs - X Ambassadors | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-07-23.
Sep 22, 2019, 6:29 AM
[11]
Citation Linkkroq.radio.com"X Ambassadors' Noah Feldshuh on Indefinite Hiatus from Band". KROQ. 17 June 2016. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
Sep 22, 2019, 6:29 AM
[12]
Citation Linkwww.youtube.comiHeartRadio (26 July 2017). "X Ambassadors Nervous About Second Album! - Exclusive Interview". YouTube. Retrieved 25 December 2017.
Sep 22, 2019, 6:29 AM
[13]
Citation Linkwww.billboard.com"X Ambassadors Explain Inspiration for 'Ahead of Myself' Video, Label Trump 'An Idiot' Over DACA". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-01-22.
Sep 22, 2019, 6:29 AM
[14]
Citation Linkwww.broadwayworld.comDesk, BWW News. "X Ambassadors Release Powerful New Single + Video 'Joyful'". Retrieved 2018-01-27.
Sep 22, 2019, 6:29 AM
[15]
Citation Linkitunes.apple.com"Don't Stay - Single by X Ambassadors on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 2018-02-02.
Sep 22, 2019, 6:29 AM
[16]
Citation Linkwww.billboard.com"X Ambassadors' Sam Harris Talks 'Hey Child' Single, 'Game of Thrones' Music & Rock's Urgent Need for Diversity". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-04-19.
Sep 22, 2019, 6:29 AM
[17]
Citation Linktwitter.comX AMBASSADORS (@XAmbassadors) (May 30, 2019). "Tomorrow #HoldYouDown". Twitter.
Sep 22, 2019, 6:29 AM
[18]
Citation Linktwitter.comX AMBASSADORS (@XAmbassadors) (August 16, 2019). ".@ILLENIUMMUSIC "ASCEND" out NOW go listen, thank you for having us on "In Your Arms"". Twitter.
Sep 22, 2019, 6:29 AM
[19]
Citation Linktwitter.comX AMBASSADORS (@XAmbassadors) (August 23, 2019). "We need to keep these conversations going. About gun violence prevention. The 24-hour news cycle is unrelenting, but it's important we stay vigilant and don't forget these injustices. Go to http://everytown.org/act to learn more. OPTIMISTIC Out Now: https://smarturl.it/OPTIMISTIC". Twitter. External link in |title= (help)
Sep 22, 2019, 6:29 AM
[20]
Citation Linkwww.rollingstone.com"The National, Sleater-Kinney, Tig Notaro Join Planned Parenthood Benefit". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2017-09-06.
Sep 22, 2019, 6:29 AM