On the new single from his upcoming self-titled solo album, frenetic funk strumming by JD Simo gives way to a passionate vocal delivery as a raucous riff then roars, JD tempering buzzing feedback with a hypnotic hook. Described by Guitarist magazine as “a very appealing sum of James Brown meets Prince dashed with fuzzed out 70’s rock”, the song certainly contrasts with the record’s recent opening salvo, the psychedelic soulful ‘One Of Those Days’.
As for its lyric, JD states that “the song is about how fucking divisive everything really is in this country. It was written pre-pandemic, but it’s obviously eroded even more. I come from a bit of a messed-up background. On a daily basis, like many of us, I rely on a multitude of self-help steps in order to remain healthy. Loving yourself as much as you love everyone else is pretty damn important.”
Recognised as a formidable guitarist who can channel iconic six stringers such as Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Nolen while adding a large dash of blues and soul, at 34 JD is already a seasoned session musician who has also paid his dues as a frontman, initially as part of the group SIMO and more recently as a solo artist.
A number of JD’s contemporaries appear in a video to promote ‘Love’, including Grammy winners Luther Dickinson (North Mississippi All Stars, The Black Crowes), Charlie Starr (Blackberry Smoke), Todd Park Mohr (Big Head Todd & The Monsters), Webb Wilder (Fat Possum Records) and Patrick Sweany (Black Keys collaborator), plus Nashville darlings The Weird Sisters, Johnny Moeller (Fabulous Thunderbirds), Lillie Mae (Third Man Records, Jack White band) and more.
JD explains that the video “is dedicated to the human condition. During these unprecedented times, I have taken great solace in having more contact with my community and peers than ever before. It is beautiful and inspiring! We have all banded together, learned new skills and tried to grow into better humans as well as artists. So, instead of hiring someone to make this video, my extremely creative friends and I made this on our smartphones. Trying to embody the essence of love, which is present no matter if you are close or far apart.”
video
youtu.be/CgQj02ddFYQ
included on the album
JD SIMO
out 21.08.20
(Crows Feet Records)
album pre-order link
orcd.co/jduk
