Lee Simmons profile picture

Lee Simmons

The whitest lie won't make me clean...

About Me

On his forthcoming e.p., Lee Simmons moves beyond his singer-songwriter roots to bring a more expansive sound than previously explored in his work. Crafted over the course of seven months, the record was primarily tracked at Simmons’ home studio with a cadre of Austin’s best musicians, including Ramy Antoun (Seal, Goldspot), JJ Plasencio (Sixpence None the Richer), Kullen Fuchs (Ian Moore), John Leon (Roky Erickson, Summer Wardrobe), and Derek Morris (Bob Schneider). Simmons aimed to combine the best elements of classic, melodic songwriting with more collaborative, full-band sonics. The resulting album presents a broadened range of musical styles, from the plaintive ukulele strums of “City Lights” to the ornate chamber pop of “Paper Wings.”Beginning with his 1999 debut e.p. Depot Park, Simmons has been crafting melodic songs that Performing Songwriter describes as “calling to mind the breezy, smart pop of both the Finn brothers (he has the worldly-wise eye of Tim and the melodic breadth of Neil), Michael Penn and Glen Phillips.” His music has equally been welcomed by audiences, with Simmons sharing the stage with the likes of Hanson, Nellie McKay, Alexi Murdoch and Jon McLaughlin.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 3/28/2005
Band Website: leesimmons.net
Band Members: Lee Simmons: vox/guitar/strings/keys/racket; JJ Plasencio: bass; Kevin Remme: drums; Ramy Antoun: drums; Bryan Austin: drums; Jeff Moore: guitar; Kullen Fuchs: vibes/horns/keys/spookiness; John Leon: pedal steel; David McPherson: bass
Influences: The Beatles, Michael Penn, Aimee Mann, Neil Finn, Tom Waits, Mark Eitzel, Elvis Costello, Joe Henry, Jon Brion, Stephen Duffy, Nick Drake, Radiohead, Over the Rhine, Johnny Cash, Calexico, Jack Black, Cormac McCarthy, Paul Thomas Anderson, Joseph Mitchell, Albert Camus, Joseph Conrad, Andrew Wyeth, Leonard Simmons, coffee, red wine, the Riviera 1 combination plate, Sonoma Valley, CA, Juarez lights at night, and Franklin Mountains State Park
Sounds Like: Lee Simmons
Type of Label: None

My Blog

Of literature, household names, and rock

Friends,My interview with Jay Trachtenberg is now online: http://kut.org/items/show/12984. Ideally this should be listened to with headphones and a fully replenished glass of wine. Or not.L...
Posted by Lee Simmons on Sat, 21 Jun 2008 07:28:00 PST

Check out this event: Lee Simmons @ Stubbs March 8!!!

Hosted By: lee simmonsWhen: Saturday Mar 08, 2008 at 11:00 PMWhere: Stubb's801 Red RiverAustin, TX 78701United StatesDescription:lee simmons Click Here To View Event...
Posted by Lee Simmons on Fri, 07 Mar 2008 08:25:00 PST

Check out this event: Lee Live @ Flipnotics

Hosted By: Lee SimmonsWhen: Saturday Feb 16, 2008 at 9:00 PMWhere: FlipnoticsAustin, Texas|44 78704United StatesDescription:Lee Simmons Click Here To View Event...
Posted by Lee Simmons on Fri, 08 Feb 2008 11:50:00 PST

ProTools-Fueled Tour de Force

Friends and Comrades,Happy 2008. Sometime this year, God willing, I'll be celebrating the release of my new record, Night Terrors. It was recorded at home and in the homes of my bandmates in Austin ov...
Posted by Lee Simmons on Thu, 24 Jan 2008 03:44:00 PST

Indie-Music.com review

Lee Simmons has created an impressive album complete with hooks that will have you humming his tunes for days. I found myself deeply engrossed in the musical overtones all through Sometimes Fools, whi...
Posted by Lee Simmons on Tue, 08 May 2007 07:10:00 PST

Baby You're So Dark

Rummaging through a pile of old CD-Rs earlier today, I came upon a demo I had recorded way back in 2001 at Ex'pression Center for New Media in Emeryville, California. As usual I played all the instrum...
Posted by Lee Simmons on Thu, 03 May 2007 12:53:00 PST

The Austinist shows some love

http://www.austinist.com/archives/2007/01/18/austinist_show_ preview_lee_simmons_flipnotics.php...
Posted by Lee Simmons on Thu, 18 Jan 2007 11:10:00 PST

Top 10 Epilogue

I'm listening to The Crane Wife by the Decemberists. Holy shit, what an incredible record. I mean, really, people. "The Island" is a Mad Max romp through prog rock as it was meant to be. Then there's ...
Posted by Lee Simmons on Wed, 13 Dec 2006 10:33:00 PST

Top 10 of 2006

1. Calexico, Garden Ruin 2. Juana Molina, Son 3. David Mead, Tangerine 4. Shearwater, Palo Santo 5. The Dears, Gang of Losers 6. Josh Rouse, Subtitulo 7. Trespassers William, Having 8. Mojave 3, Puzzl...
Posted by Lee Simmons on Thu, 07 Dec 2006 02:23:00 PST

Jay Trachtenberg's Music

Played Jay Trachtenberg's Music show today, much fun was had by all. Listen to the entire set here.
Posted by Lee Simmons on Mon, 06 Nov 2006 12:11:00 PST