American electronic artist, screen composer and international DJ Kate Simko is a restless spirit who’s spent her career so far split between some of the world’s biggest clubs (Bergain, Fabric) and its most impressive concert halls.
A classical pianist and jazz musician by trade, she’s branched out in all sorts of directions, to release music via Ghostly International, remix Philip Glass and make a record with Chilean electronic producer Andres Bucci.
Having recently swapped her native Chicago for London, she’s now becoming increasingly wedded to the city’s club culture and loose approach to genre boundaries.
In 2014, she chose her new home to launch her biggest project so far - the London Electronic Orchestra. The collective has since sold out concerts the Britten Theatre and National Gallery, and opened the iTunes Festival 2014.
Her new album, London Electronic Orchestra (released Friday, 6 May), is typically dynamic, covering ambient sound recordings, a violin duet, pulsating basslines and classic analogue percussion.
We spend 30 seconds with her to learn where her head’s at…
I first started writing music because…
I wanted to have my own voice.
I have been making music since…
Moving from classical piano to composing at 19.
My music is…
An obsession.
You'll like me if you listen to...
Four Tet, Francesco Tristano (I don’t know really, but my best guess!).
My favourite venue is…
The best venue I ever played at - the Roundhouse in London.
Music is important because…
It’s a universal language without words.
My biggest inspiration is…
Everyday life, pre-fusion jazz, Eric Satie, Chicago house music, IDM, art and style.
My dream collaboration would be…
Miles Davis, Alice Coltrane, Pharaoh Sanders, or John Coltrane.
To try me out, listen to my track…
Tilted.
If I wasn’t making music I’d be…
Working for a non-profit or trying to fix politics.
In 10 years’ time I want to be…
Happy, have a family and touring worldwide with my band London Electronic Orchestra.
Kate Simko plays The Pickle Factory, London, on 12 May.
http://www.katesimko.com/
A classical pianist and jazz musician by trade, she’s branched out in all sorts of directions, to release music via Ghostly International, remix Philip Glass and make a record with Chilean electronic producer Andres Bucci.
Having recently swapped her native Chicago for London, she’s now becoming increasingly wedded to the city’s club culture and loose approach to genre boundaries.
In 2014, she chose her new home to launch her biggest project so far - the London Electronic Orchestra. The collective has since sold out concerts the Britten Theatre and National Gallery, and opened the iTunes Festival 2014.
Her new album, London Electronic Orchestra (released Friday, 6 May), is typically dynamic, covering ambient sound recordings, a violin duet, pulsating basslines and classic analogue percussion.
We spend 30 seconds with her to learn where her head’s at…
I first started writing music because…
I wanted to have my own voice.
I have been making music since…
Moving from classical piano to composing at 19.
My music is…
An obsession.
You'll like me if you listen to...
Four Tet, Francesco Tristano (I don’t know really, but my best guess!).
My favourite venue is…
The best venue I ever played at - the Roundhouse in London.
Music is important because…
It’s a universal language without words.
My biggest inspiration is…
Everyday life, pre-fusion jazz, Eric Satie, Chicago house music, IDM, art and style.
My dream collaboration would be…
Miles Davis, Alice Coltrane, Pharaoh Sanders, or John Coltrane.
To try me out, listen to my track…
Tilted.
If I wasn’t making music I’d be…
Working for a non-profit or trying to fix politics.
In 10 years’ time I want to be…
Happy, have a family and touring worldwide with my band London Electronic Orchestra.
Kate Simko plays The Pickle Factory, London, on 12 May.
http://www.katesimko.com/
