Simon Oakley Ramps Up For A New Release
In 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.