Simon Hoskyn

Simon Hoskyn first stepped into the role of an acoustic singer-songwriter at the age of 18, working from a variety of influences - most notably Bruce Cockburn, Jeff Buckley, Rufus Wainwright, and Ryan Adams.

His first collection of solo material, ("Arrest Me," 2005) released when he was only 19, served as clear indication of his exceptional musical talent and his maturity as an artist. From the beautiful melodies of "Speak to Me," the virtuosic finger work of "Psalm 29," and the raw vulnerability of "And If I Fall," this album initiated what has become the trademark sound of Simon's expressions.

Simon then spent a year performing, busking, and writing new material in New Zealand. Upon return to his homeland of Vancouver, BC, Simon prepared to record his second studio album with producer/multi-instrumentalist Jon Anderson (Stabilo, In Medias Res, Jonathan Inc., Sheree Plett).

"The Seen and Unseen" was released in August 2006. Conceptually and musically "The Seen and Unseen" not only displays Simon's ability to push the limits of creativity within his familiar sound, but also showcases his ability to absorb the best elements of a variety of genres and bring them within arm's reach of his audience. This album also demonstrates the extent of Simon's expressive capacity, as songs like "Traded Plastic for Pearls," "Another Day, A Better Place," and "A Deeper Tongue" (movements 1&2), weave excellent songwriting, creative instrumentation, and powerful performances into a tapestry through which deeply personal themes of risk, love, failure, doubt and faith are expressed.

Following the release of The Seen and Unseen, Simon focused himself in a year of jazz studies, and performed in a variety of locations in Washington State, BC, Alberta, and Ontario. He also wrote the material that would become his third album, recorded in the summer of 2008.

The new record, Sing of the Beauty, Say Nothing of the Pain was recorded and mixed by Jon Anderson, produced by Jon and Simon, mastered by Dwayne Harder, and features a variety of musicians from the Vancouver area, including Sheree Plett and Steve Watts (drums, In Medias Res). Songs like "Pyre", "Storyline", and "With All of My Mind" are evidence that this material is a major evolution in Simon's musical expressions.

Most recently, Simon moved to Edmonton, where he lives with his wife and son. He has moved from being a solo act to a band, which now includes a drummer, bassist, and keyboardist. Together they are working to craft exciting performances as well as the songs and arrangements for another recording. Look for the Simon Hoskyn Band in and around Edmonton in 2011 and for years to come.