Simon Oakley - Music

9 May 2023

An Interview With Simon Oakley

www.thesoundswontstop.com/simon-oakley

A new EP release from Simon Oakley delivers a set of heartfelt and emotionally driven rock singles that are inspired by some of the great classics and have a way of showing the artist's personal side as the tracks are honest while telling stories at the same time.

The Rise Up for The People EP consists of a set of full-bodied and cinematic undertone rock songs that each have their own two legs to stand on but as far as the record goes, it should be listened to from beginning to end in one shot.

This release plays through almost like a concept record would and the stories have a strange way of sort of connecting.

Throughout the EP's playthrough, you get an array of vibrant and impactful songs and progressions that come together to create a certain atmosphere that's very easy for you to fall right into.

There's something very cinematic about this EP and because of that when it's done, you have to almost shake it off to find your footing back to reality again.

That kind of escapism in music is something that you don't see that much anymore so it's really refreshing to get that again.

You can tell a lot went into the creation of these songs and that Simon has an absolute love for his craft because everything comes through with a certain level of passion and heart.

This was a powerful release that has a way of sticking with you for days and the only way to satiate that is to go back and listen to it again.

You get a great array of classic rock influences peeking through during the release and the elements of how this record creates an atmosphere are all very evident.

The vocals are delivered with a soul and you have some organs that fill the space in the background floating around The Ether of the songs giving them an even more impactful backing.

Everything about this record is driven by something genuine and authentic.

This is something that you can hear with almost every single song on the EP and the ones that are incredibly clear are the ones that just give you these messages to listen to.

These songs were clearly a way for Simon to get things off of his chest and I think when it comes to songwriters this can be a cathartic thing.

It would be for me anyway.

The important thing about this is that it actually connects with the listeners and resonates in a way so that they feel like they're not alone in their thought process on certain topics.

With the release of such a wonderfully built and woven EP, we wanted to have a sit-down with Simon Oakley to talk about where this all actually came from and what might be coming next for the artist.

Here's what happened.

TSWS: Okay, let's start with " Rise Up for The People"! This single had this anthemic feel to it that was massive! How did this single come about?

All the songs off the EP were written during the 2020 lockdowns in the UK. It was obviously a very intense time and every song on the EP was inspired by that period of time. Rise up for the People was written on my acoustic guitar and conveys my feelings towards the unnecessary fear, lies and pain that were being inflicted on the general public....I think I've been vindicated in those feelings but unfortunately the fear, pain and lies continue. I wanted the song to sound as big as possible in a true 1980's style.

TSWS: How did this all start for you as an artist? When did you fall in love with music?

I'm a bit of late starter as an originals artist but have always been in and around music and entertainment for as long as I can remember. My first musical memories were Adam and The Ants and The Sex Pistols, I fell in love with the intense tribal sounds.

TSWS: What kind of things really inspire songs for you?

Ok, here goes!......Social injustice, government overreach, the mainstream media, technocracy, transhumanism, the natural world, the paranormal, Sci Fi, space, aliens and the mystery of life.

TSWS: What are you performing on this single exactly?

Vocals and rhythm guitar

TSWS: This single has some great styles on it! Can you give us some of your biggest influences musically?

Being a child of the 70s and 80s I was lucky enough to he bombarded with some of the best music ever produced. My main early influences (in no particular order!) were The Sex Pistols, Adam and The Ants, Joy Division, PIL The Cure, David Bowie and The Cult. I was also a big fan of the grunge era bands in the 90's such as Soundgarden, The Screaming Trees and Alice In Chains

TSWS: This track will be part of a full EP of the same title, correct? When will that release?

The full 5 track EP is due for release on Friday 5th May 2023.

TSWS: What are you doing when you're NOT working on music?

Looking after my close family and partner, I have twin teenage boys who are also musicians.

TSWS: Who's in your headphones right now?

The Cult - Under The Midnight Sun

TSWS: Are you doing any live performances right now?

I have plans to perform these songs live in the near future. Watch out for some live online sessions.

TSWS: Did you record yourself or hit a big studio for this?

The demos for the EP were recorded at home on my acoustic/electric guitar and macbook then taken to my producer Kevin Jones here in the UK who has a professional studio called Eastriver Production Studios. Not only did he produce the EP but also played some guitar, bass and keyboards on the tracks.

TSWS: What can your fans expect from you in the near future?

New songs are being formed all the time, I hope to release another single in the coming months and release another EP towards the end of the year.

TSWS: Before we go, what would you like to say to fans of the music?

Thank you for taking the time to listen to my music. It comes from the heart and I hope it provides some solace, truth and peace to the listener.

simon-oakley-explores-the-heart-of-the-sun

If you're a fan of Simon Oakley or his previous single "Hope", you'll be thrilled to hear that Simon has released his follow-up single, "Heart Of The Sun", on January 16th, 2023. This upcoming folk artist's latest track is going to take you on a musical journey you won't soon forget. The creative minds behind this new single have once again woven a tapestry of sound that blends various genres seamlessly. The track is an eclectic mix of new wave/gothic vibes, with elements of progressive and classic rock, and a sprinkle of alt country/western. It's a musical hybrid that's as unique as it is captivating.

Influenced by legends like Led Zeppelin, The Cure, and The Cult, this single is a nod to the past while simultaneously carving out its own space in the world of music. It's a love letter to the artists that came before, while still blazing its own trail. We can't wait to see what other influences they'll incorporate into the full 4-track EP, set to be released later this year. So, if you're ready to be transported to another world through the power of music, make sure to add "Heart Of The Sun" to your playlist as soon as it drops on January 16th, 2023. This track promises to be the perfect soundtrack to your wildest dreams and darkest nightmares. Don't miss out on this musical journey!

Simon Oakley - Music

www.thesoundswontstop.com/simon-oakley-ep

15 March 2024

An upcoming EP release from Simon Oakley is a very lush rock sounding record but it also boasts a certain kind of vastness in its undertone and brings elements of everything from post punk to much heavier tones into play but there are also elements of the record that make it feel almost like a concept release of sorts and songs have strange ways of interconnecting with each other and this is only one of the reasons to listen to the EP in full.

The Standing Outside, Looking In EP has plenty of surprises around its corners and a lot of them send you off into different places and the record as a whole lets you sort of escape and has a wonderful way of pulling you away from your surroundings which I adore because you don't get it that often these days.

Not only does this record hit with a harder and heavier rock tonality at times, but it also brings together so many different influences and one release from that classic hard rock sound to a cinematic and more open progressive style, even punk rock shows face from time to time and it's all delivered with this particular attitude that you just get attached to.

Another reason that you need to listen to this record in full is simply because if you don't then you're not getting the full spectrum of what it actually has to offer.

There's a slew of different song writing approaches here and each one of them sounds incredibly authentic and the aesthetic for them is always nailed.

There's even a softer and more subtle '90s pop rock style with certain tracks delivered and those are the ones that at times, give me hints of nostalgia because I grew up with a lot of that stuff along with other music.

This record has plenty of guitar hooks strewn across its existence and I really get into that kind of stuff because I feel like good rock music has lost some of that element and is always focused on that chorus or a vocal hook which is totally fine, but at times I really miss the musical hook aspect of rock and roll so, I was really pleasantly surprised with all of the great hooks musically that are given off on this record.

By the time you even get halfway through the six-track record you begin to expect the unexpected because of the range of rock that's actually portrayed and it reminds me of the days when you would hear a song on the radio and you would go and buy the album or the EP at the record store because even though you heard a certain track that made you buy the record, once you got it, you would listen to the whole damn thing and this is something that a lot of the younger generations unfortunately don't understand.

This is why it brings me a bit of joy and a little bit of nostalgia to hear an actual six track EP get released at once because we live in such a single-based society that it doesn't happen as often as it used to or as much as it should in my opinion.

Simon is uncanny and his ability to bring his different influences to the table and although he's not reinventing the wheel by any means, he's putting his own spin on things at the same time and a lot of this stuff pays homage to the music he grew up listening to as well.

Or at least it seems that way.

This was an incredibly well woven record that hits the sweet spots for so many rock genres that anyone into rock music in general should really love it.

I think my favorite track of this release is the actual title track of it because this gives one of the best examples of all the influences combined in one because you have the vast rock element, the progressive element and some hard rock as well and there's even a remix at the end of the record of this track.

Is set to release on Friday April 5th however, as we all ramp up for it we decided to have a sit-down with the artist to find out more.

Here's what happened.

Welcome back! We're excited about the new record! Let's talk about that!

TSWS: This was a long time coming! Are these tracks all recorded at different times? Is it sort of a compilation of recent songs or have you been working on the EP as a whole?

I’ve been working on the EP since my last release Rise up for the People in 2023. Three tracks have already been released as stand alone singles, The Witching Hounds, Standing Outside, Looking In and Whispering Voice. I like to work towards five or six songs to collate as EP’s and pick and choose singles as and when I feel the time is right. I’m old fashioned in that sense, EP’s, albums and bodies of work should still have a place in todays mad music industry.

TSWS: The EP certainly has a blend of hard rock, classic rock, and plenty more which was really well built! What inspired this record to happen?

This record is loosely based on paranormal experiences I have encountered in my life. Standing Outside, Looking In is specifically dedicated to the famous Rendlesham Forest UFO landing incident that happened on a US army base on UK soil in 1981. Whispering Voice is also about a UFO experience I had in the Mojave Desert USA back in 2019. The Witching Hounds relates to the large black paranormal dogs that are frequently seen all over the UK, they have separate name for this phenomena in different parts of the UK. In my part of the England (East Sussex) they are called The Witching Hounds, The Darkness (from Suffolk) famously sang about the Black Shuck on their debut album, Permission To Land. Other tracks on the EP are related to the dark and sinister people I have encountered in my 54 years on this planet, they are calling signs or warnings.

TSWS: Did you create this release through a home studio set-up?

All the originals demos of my songs were created on my Mac Book with Garage Band. I then take them to my producer Kevin Jones at Eastriver Production Studios in East Sussex, UK.  He helps to arrange the songs and plays additional instruments on the recordings.

TSWS: Are you planning on performing these live at all?

I am currently rehearsing with some local musicians and hoping to bring these songs to life in a live environment in 2024.

TSWS: I feel like you are constantly working on songs. Is this true?

Like many musicians, "the muse” comes and goes! When it calls, I’m hopefully ready with my guitar.

TSWS: Can we expect any music videos anytime?

There is a video for Standing Outside, Looking In on my You Tube channel. I plan to produce one more for another yet to be released track on the EP.

TSWS: How do you feel like your sound has evolved from when you first started?

I feel this latest EP has more complex chord, melodic and lyrical structures, I feel I’ve covered a few new bases in genre on this record as well.

TSWS: Are you a guitarist first and foremost?

I am foremost a singer and writer who can play rhythm guitar and play simple melodic lead lines to create my songs. In my opinion all the best classic rock songs in history started out with an acoustic guitar and an idea.

TSWS: What's the plan for next releases?

There are three demo's in the embryonic stages for the next EP, I am working on. I’ll hopefully start recording in the late summer of 2024.

TSWS: What would you like to express to fans of the music and what can they expect from this EP?

I hope everyone who listens to my new EP can take different life aspects from it. There are stories, warnings and dream like states within the music and lyrics. We are living in some very strange times, change and a great new awakening is coming. Light always overcomes the dark.

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