Biography
RECENT REVIEWS-
"Simon London and The Spirits from WA came on and just blew the crowd away...Simon London himself is a brilliant vocalist, with a very distinctive voice that has touches of Alex Lloyd and echoes of Paul Dempsey. It is a voice made for radio. It resonates and has a big range. When backed up by the matching voices from the Spirit it makes you shiver. He has a record out on MGM and has been picking up some airplay...The music is catchy but the playing has steel and ability. They don’t mind dirtying up the tunes a bit. A tougher version of Little Birdy!!! Simon delivers his vocals with passion, standing on his toes to sing, straining to get the song out. You can feel the desire. The band help amplify the message. The guitarist and bass player provide the harmonies and multiply the effect. Intelligent players who love playing...
This band has all it takes to be a success, the songs, the voice, the performance." Neil Wedd INPRESS (melbourne)
"Perth band Simon London and the Spirits were first to take the stage. Their performance was a slick representation of the roots/rock movement that has taken off nationwide (and particularly over in the west). Professionals in every sense of the world, this is a band of experienced and talented musicians that like to completely immerse themselves in the songs. They played a passionate set, and London himself displayed an outstanding vocal range and strong songwriting ability. Essentially more rock than roots, it is easy to draw parallels between London's crew and fellow Australians Something for Kate.... In all, an outstanding set." Stuart Jacobs INPRESS (melbourne)
"Simon London's voice and his band, the Spirits are hard to categorise, to place in any particular musical genre... at times my musical sensibilities were floating in a melting pot of strange hybrids - think Bob Dylan, Eddie Vedder, James Blundell, Neil Young, Mark Knopfler and even a hint of Pete Murray. Then Janis Joplin (yes Janis herself!!) appeared in all her throaty bluesy power to sing the big brash magnificent final song of the last set...I could almost smell the whiskey and cigarette smoke. This interesting, varied eclecticism ultimately makes Simon London and the Spirits both intriguing and incredibly talented...so go see them"
FasterLouder 16/7/06
BIOGRAPHY -
Originating from the south-west coast of Western Australia, Simon London's musical direction has been forged on the same hard-earned turf as some of Australia's most successful independent roots musicians. His latest offering with his band The Spirits is further testament to the exciting groundswell of roots-inspired music emanating from this fertile south-western corner, such as The Waifs and John Butler Trio.
Since releasing their self-titled debut album in 2004, Simon London + the Spirits have made strong impressions on both the nations' music industry and music appreciators alike. Critics have been quick to praise both the recordings and live shows, as touring has taken Simon right around Australia leaving a trail of believers in his wake.
With a rich musical history, Simon London has taken the knocks that the music industry so often dishes out. But he's emerged with a greater sense of self, as well as a rich melting pot of experiences to enrich his songwriting. Moving to the US in the 90s, Simon experienced the highs of the industry - playing in legendary venues like House of Blues, The Roxy and Whiskey A-Go-Go - but also the crushing lows, dealing with depression and living from the back of his car.
Moving back to Australia late in the decade, Simon kick-started his touring and recording again, this time on his own terms. With success a luxury and self-fulfilment a must, Simon has carved a niche in the industry which is to be admired. London has supported a diverse range of artists in the last 18 months. Whether it be joining the warm 'roots' of the Waifs for national tour dates or the harder rock of JJJ favourites 67 Special in Melbourne, the live shows continue to garner praise and respect across the wide genre mix as London tested songs from the new album ‘Highway State Of Mind’.
The band's latest release - Highway State of Mind emerged as a roots-rock album; more rock when being driven by it's crunchy guitars and rolling rhythm section and yet as much roots with it's floating harmonies and warm hammond and rhodes piano. All of this is crowned by Simon's incredible voice that soars and growls and implores and laments through to the last breath.
Based more in WA than anywhere else, there's no doubt the new songs are heavily infused with a strong sense of landscape. With evocative lyrics that offer picaresque snatches of the most recent chapters of London’s life, the songs from Highway State of Mind almost appear to hang together like the soundtrack to a long highway drive; a little urgency, occasionally lost in introspection, slightly detached and infused as much with the harsh comfort of isolation as with the warm sunlight and space of the open road.
Instrumentation
Simon London - vocals, guitars
BAND (the Spirits):
Chris Edmondonson - guitars, vocals
Tim Keady - bass, guitars
Tim Stacey - drums
Clem - keys, rhodes, hammond piano, guitar
Discography
2006 - 'Highway State Of Mind' - band CD album. Out thru AllArt Records/MGM distribution
(national airplay for singles 'Bring It Back Again', Sunshine and Simple Man, video for Bring It Back Again aired nationally on ABC TV (rage) and SBS)
2004 - 'Simon London + the Spirits' - band CD album. Out nationally thru AllArt Records/MGM Distribution
(national airplay for singles 'Flowers' and 'When We Were Young', video for Flowers aired nationally on ABC TV rage)
2003 - 'Saturday Night Live solo acoustic live at Clancys' - solo live CD album. Out nationally through AllArt Records/MGM Distribution
2002 - 'Simon London and the Shooters Party' - CD EP
2000 - 'Glorifications' - solo CD album
1998 - 'Soul-scars and Greenbacks' - solo CD album
Links
| http://www.simonlondon.com |