At the beginning of 2008, Simeon Shinkfield (the now lead-singer of the Simeon band) saw the dream of a solid band line-up come to fruition: Guitarist friend Graham Moyle quit his day job and joined the band with new energy, and the talented (or should we say, EXTREMELY talented) Josh Ham (bass) and Chris Broomhead (drums) were approached to form the rhythm section of the band. After a couple of jams it was agreed by all that with their powers combined they could conquour the world!
From February to April, the band recorded their debut album, "Then We Collide", toured NSW, and did acoustic shows across TAS, WA and QLD... not to mention a spattering of gigs in their home state of VIC.
In the second half of 2008 the new album, "Then We Collide" was launched with extensive touring of Australia. The songs, "All Remains Is Love" and "Not Calming Down" were quickly taken up by community radio across Australia.
Late May 2009
With the advice and encouragement of some well-respected people in the music industry, the band are ready to step up to the next challenge. In the next weeks, "I Can't Breathe", the strongest song on the new album, will be released to the commercial radio networks.
Will this be the track that breaks the band? Tune into your local station to find out. Better still, jump on the phone and request, "I Can't Breathe" by Simeon. Let us know where you hear the track. We're hanging to know which parts of Australia pick-up on the band and want to help move them to a new place.
DECEMBER 2008 - IMPORTANT NOTE FROM SIM!!
Will you work with us to help change the lives of some of the world’s poorest people living in Niger, West Africa?
The song “Not Calming Down†developed as I realised a need for change.
Too often we become insensitive to the needs of other people. We can see the pictures of desperation, we can hear the stories of hopelessness, we can know the statistics of poverty; but so easily the faces can become disconnected from the reality that they belong to real people like you or me. We can talk about the struggles faced by so many but do nothing, or very little to help.
“Not Calming Down†is about practical action. It’s about frustration with self - I’m sick of thinking that life is about living for me! I must act in response to what I see.
As a band, we know we can’t just sing and talk about this problem – that would be hypocritical – we need to be active with our time and money. As a result, we approached CBM about getting involved in their work in Niger, West Africa.
The result: “Not Calming Down 4 Niger†- a project that we hope will raise awareness of the needs in Niger and $50,000 for the work of CBM there.
CBM was chosen by us to partner with on this project because of its incredible track record working to rehabilitate the world’s poorest people with disability. It is a fantastic organisation that enables us to quickly become involved in making a difference.
Niger, the poorest country in the world based on many statistics, is a country full of people with very obvious physical needs. I have seen and touched the people when I lived there in the 1990s; thus I have a connection I feel appropriate for this project.
The CD single is now available through TigerMusic and at our gigs. It contains the songs, “Not Calming Down†and “All Remains Is Love†from the album, “Then We Collide†and two previously unreleased acoustic versions of “I Hear Your Voice†and “Wings of Changeâ€. There is also a multimedia component – a clip with footage from Niger set to the song, “Not Calming Downâ€. View a web quality version now on YouTube (ABOVE).
Our goal is to sell 1,000 copies of this CD at $10 each. The full $10 will be donated to the work of CBM in Niger. The CD contains a great booklet with lyrics, information about Niger and the work of CBM. A great gift for any occasion!
Please log on to: http://www.simeon.cbm.org.au/ to find out more and get involved in this fantastic opportunity by donating or helping spread the word! Join us in “Not Calming Downâ€. Let’s all spur one another on to make a difference. Together we can do more!
