David Sylvian

David Sylvian (born David Alan Batt in Beckenham, Kent, in 1958) is an English singer, songwriter and composer. He first became known as frontman and main songwriter of Japan, the band he formed in 1974 with his brother Steve Jansen and Mick Karn, later joined by Richard Barbieri and Rob Dean. His solo work moved from art pop toward ambient music and spare songs set against free improvisation. Sylvian's solo albums for Virgin began with Brilliant Trees (1984) and included Secrets of the Beehive (1987).