Musicians rarely find themselves at the intersection of indie rock ambition and cultural legacy, yet this crossing defines Isaiah Silva’s journey. Born January 20, 1985, in Los Angeles, California, Silva would forge a path through the music industry that combined artistic pursuit with unexpected historical significance.
During his formative years in Los Angeles, Silva immersed himself in the city’s electric music community. While many teenagers focused on typical high school experiences, he dedicated himself to performing in local venues, developing his craft through various musical collaborations. Among these early projects was his time with the pop group The Rambles, where he began establishing his musical foundation.
A significant milestone arrived in 2012 when Silva co-founded The Eeries alongside Brandon Sweeney (lead guitar), Eliot Lorango (bass), and Nadir Maraschin (drums). The band crafted a sound that resonated with audiences seeking authenticity in contemporary alternative rock while paying homage to the grunge and punk movements of previous decades.
Success followed when their single “Cool Kid” reached #33 on the Alternative Songs chart. This achievement led to notable appearances, including a performance on “Late Night with Seth Meyers” in December 2014. The band’s momentum suggested promising opportunities ahead, though fate would soon introduce unexpected turns.
During this period of musical growth, Silva’s personal life gained public attention through his relationship with Frances Bean Cobain. Their connection, beginning in 2010, progressed to engagement in 2011 and culminated in a private wedding ceremony on June 29, 2014. The intimate nature of their celebration reflected their desire for privacy, with even close family members learning of it after the fact.
The relationship concluded in March 2016 when Cobain filed for divorce. What followed was a widely documented legal proceeding centered on the ownership of a historically significant 1959 Martin D-18E acoustic guitar. The court proceedings, concluding in 2018, ultimately determined Silva would retain possession of the instrument.
Since 2018, Silva has mostly stayed out of the spotlight – quite a shift from his days fronting The Eeries when “Cool Kid” was climbing the alternative charts and the band was playing on Seth Meyers. In a city packed with wannabe rock stars, The Eeries managed to stand out, getting their music into regular rotation on alternative radio – no small feat for any new band in the 2010s.
The Martin D-18E guitar case ultimately overshadowed what Silva and his bandmates had accomplished musically. Rather than being known primarily for their Alternative Songs chart success, the legal proceedings became the bigger story. That’s the thing about music history – sometimes the side stories end up taking center stage.
For Silva, who started out as just another kid playing in bands around Los Angeles, his journey took some unexpected turns. From those early days to charting with The Eeries, and then becoming the custodian of one of rock’s most famous instruments – it’s not the kind of career path anyone could have predicted.
It’s impossible to say what’s next. Like many musicians who’ve had a taste of success and dealt with the double-edged sword of public attention, Silva has chosen a quieter path. What remains are the songs, that legendary guitar, and a story that proves you never really know where music might take you – even in a city like Los Angeles, where everyone’s chasing that elusive dream of making it big.
