Sir Simon

This is it: the light sophomore longplayer of young composer, sound engineer and gentleman "Sir" Simon Frontzek. A nocturnal opus. A record of the night. As if flown out of the own hand, following one's own trace, built up during after hours in the own studio. (…) A three minute walk from his flat to the studio, passing the Oberbaumbrücke. The studio: a 200 qm floor close to the water. Over here, Simon Frontzek spends the days doing what he always wanted to: Music. Since the release of his arch pop-debut "Battle" in 2008, bands and singer/singwriter come to him, the sympathic producer, to record their albums. Because Simon has this different sound - an ear for the acoustic. And he brings this tricksy mindlessness to the mixing desk, the airiness you need to intensify what it is really about. (…) "I like it dry," Simon says. For him it is more about the tectonic layers. There is something beyond the obvious. At first, there is Simon with his semi-acoustic guitar and his melodies. But behind that it bubbles, layers waiting to enfold, at first very slight, later occasionally opulent. Oops, Simon Frontzek developed to a clear sighted arranger. Super 8 became Cinemascope. However, this doesn't count for the relationships he sings about on "Goodnight, Dear Mind". Personal, sad topics coming from the heart. "These encounters, talks, lines. That's what gets caught - in everyday life, in being together - in the beginning only shreds of a song, but soon finding together naturally." When it comes to style, Sir Simon's nightly drive heads south first. Shortly before Weilheim, his car turns and crosses Kentucky, Oklahoma, Nebraska and is on target for Portland, where he finds the peculiar, nerdy outlaw pop-blueprints which attract him. (…)

Volker Zander (Calexico), March 2011

Links

www.sirsimonbattle.com

www.myspace.com/sirsimonbattle