Interview with Country Music Journalist Christian Lamitschka
November 2009
Ch.L.: Country Music has many new fans in Europe, who may be hearing about you for the first time. How would you describe yourself and the music you play to someone who'se never seen or heard you before.
Answer: I am essentially a songwriter, with no fixed genre or performance style, but there are certain Country and Americana routes within my music.
Ch.L.: What's your latest CD and how's it doing?
Answer: The album is called Masquerade and its doing fine. People like it and it still sounds good. I have recently signed with Playapp who have further released the album in a format that goes beyond CD‘s and mp3s. I have also made some new videos to compliment the album and you can watch them from my websites!
Ch.L.: How did you choose the title for the CD, is there a story behind it?
Answer: I wouldn‘t say there is a story behind it, but I kind of explain the meaning of the title within the spoken word of the final track, ‘One Day You Will Remember Me‘. I guess when a person hears the album and understands its theme then the title becomes kind of self explanatory? I guess the title Masquerade works well with the tracks that are on there and sounds good too.
Ch.L.: Do you write the songs yourself and if not, how do you go about finding thesongs for the your CD?
Answer: Yeah, I write all the songs
Ch.L.: Please tell us about the songs on your album.
Answer: Well, the songs themselves have a running theme of life expounding through them and the theme ranges from topics such as Truth, love, human darkness, Jesus, Theology, sin, God, Gospel and the bondage of the human will. I wouldn‘t define the songs in terms of genre, they are what they are.
Ch.L.: What kind of songs do you like to record themost?
Answer: I like to record all my songs. They reflect a certain simplicity and I love simplicity and its complex character, but I wouldn‘t say I like to record any one kind of song above another, yet I do prefer certain presentation styles. I like a lot of rhythm but then again I think it is wrong to limit the existence of a song by connecting it to the style by which it has been recorded. However, I do admire something with a deep meaning. All my songs have meaning and something about them in one way or another and I produce them in a way that brings out that something. However, I guess what I do prefer…if I prefer anything, is to select a presentation style that fits or compliments each song in particular. Take for example Strange World with its deep longing and sadness yet recorded in a light and friendly way, the rhythm compliments the meaning, and the meaning compliments the rhythm, it is everything and I do enjoy a great amount of rhythm and beat music where it compliments a song and grabs you by the throat and wont let you go. I like that sort of thing, there is no middle ground for me.
Ch.L.: What's your favorite song among all the songs you've recorded and what's the story behind it?
Answer: I don‘t have any favourites, there are ten songs on Masquerade and I love them all
Ch.L.: How much creative control do you have over your music?
Answer: I have complete control over all my music. I‘m pretty much a solitary worker, songwriter, musician, producer, engineer, that sort of thing. I am very much in complete control over what I am doing and I don‘t work with producers or advisers or anything. I know what I want from my records and I work hard until I get it.
Ch.L.: As an artist you have to do so many different things such as recording, touring, doing interviews etc. What do you like best, what's your favorite activity?
Answer: I enjoy playing these songs with my band either in concert or otherwise. These songs take on another form when performed before a participating or lively audience and likewise with other musicians. Participation often adds a freshness to a moment and something fresh springs forth. But I guess the thing I like the most is the completion of something, when I can listen with open ears and know that it sounds good.
Ch.L.: What inspired you to become a songwriter?
Answer: I was never inspired to become a songwriter, I was compelled to be a songwriter but never inspired to become one. I heard these songs way back when they lay unwritten in the streets of my mind. It was more a case of my giving birth to them and allowing them to mature and take shape. I often wondered around these streets looking for that something that might help me to simply create what I heard. I would dream songs, compose songs, hear chords and lyrics in other peoples music that never existed and then I would bring out these none existent things so I could create them myself. Back in those days I would pretty much compose and record around the clock, but things are better now.
Ch.L.: What drives you?
Answer: Truth, God, Music, The Bible, musical instruments and sounds that I hear around me…people, all sorts of things really. But I guess you could also say I am driven by the inner desire to see things change and music is a great way to propagate some pretty important issues
Ch.L.: Who's your biggest critic, yourself or others?
Answer: Myself, I am my own biggest critique. I don‘t really show anybody my recordings or songs until they are complete anyway, and by then they are ready. I recognise that objective opinion is merely a matter of taste, and a person must understand something first before I can accept their constructive or opinionated critiques of that something, so I don‘t really listen to too many views unless they are of any worth or have a certain amount of wealth and understanding attached to them.
Ch.L.: Is there anyplace you haven't played that you would like to?
Answer: Sure, Germany, USA, Greece and most of all, Jerusalem
Ch.L.: Many music fans today get their information about artists via the internet. Do you have your own website and what will fans find there?
Answer: Sure. My website is www.shimeon.co.uk and on there you can find details of where the album is available, and you can also view videos, interviews, images and contact details and links to other sites. You can also find me on at www.myspace.com/shimeon
Ch.L.: Tell us about the fan club and how people can join it.
Answer: You can find my fan bridge on the links page at www.shimeon.co.uk Feel free to sign up and you will receive information and updates via email
Ch.L.: What's the best compliment a fan has ever given you?
Answer: All compliments have something valuable within them and none are better than themselves. When someone admires my work that is the greatest compliment in itself, so I guess there is something wonderful contained within all true and honest compliments. A man came up to me after a show recently and shook my hand and said he thought my opening song was a classic track from a ling time ago, I took that as a compliment.
Ch.L.. What message would you like to send your European fans?
Answer: Please keep in touch with me I would love to hear from you sometime!
Christian Lamitschka ( Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de )www.MySpace.com/ChristianLamitschka
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
Shimeon's Sean Martin production
In 2010 Shimeon produced the debut release of Sean Martin 'Constantly' an EP released on Rockdown Records.
Upon hearing the three track EP, Jonathon Ross said, "With a twist of love/life/fate. A gem of an E.P, that makes you come back for more". This is certainly the case as 2010 will again see another collaboration between Shimeon and Sean with an expected album to be released later this year on Rockdown.
Keep posted at:
www.shimeon.co.uk
www.seanmartin.info
www.rockdownrecords.com
Upon hearing the three track EP, Jonathon Ross said, "With a twist of love/life/fate. A gem of an E.P, that makes you come back for more". This is certainly the case as 2010 will again see another collaboration between Shimeon and Sean with an expected album to be released later this year on Rockdown.
Keep posted at:
www.shimeon.co.uk
www.seanmartin.info
www.rockdownrecords.com
Shimeon Interview May 2010
Christian Lamitschka Interview with Shimeon
May 2010
Ch.L.: Country Music has many new fans in Europe, who may be hearing about you for the first time. How would you describe yourself and the music you play to someone whose never seen or heard you before.
Answer: I am a songwriter and a musician with a deep dedication to song writing and the creation of music with depth and vitality, animation and truth! Much of my music has a country flavour to it, yet at the same time, rhythmic and acoustic, and not limited by a certain era or genre. The word eclectic comes to mind.
Ch.L.: What's your latest CD and how's it doing?
Answer: My latest album is called ‘Behind The Soomer Sun ‘Revived‘ and is released by Rockdown Records, who also released another record I produced this year, a certain Sean Martin EP named, Constantly. So there are two new releases out at the moment, and both are doing just fine with me. People like what I am doing.
Ch.L.: How did you choose the title for the CD, is there a story behind it?
Answer: Well, I came up with the title ‘Behind The Soomer Sun‘ a long time ago, way back in 1997. I had a vivid and slightly more wild imagination in those days and I wanted a title that went beyond the apparent, much like the music. The title ‘Soomer Sun‘ wouldn‘t leave me alone and eventually found its way to becoming Behind The Soomer Sun. Its a kind of play on words which extracts the meaning of an expedition from one place to another, from what we see to what we don‘t see. The title within this context is what the songs are all about, they are filled with mixed emotions and expressions. That‘s what the album is about and the title too. Its about something that we all see from time to time, but is often out of reach.
Ch.L.: Please tell us about the songs on your album.
Answer: Well firstly, I write all the songs myself. Many of them are simple love songs about the fight for inner freedom and finding freedom and the reflections of lost love and the memory that is reluctant to go. Most if not all of my songs on this album are filled with this theme and much simplicity, and freeness. I like simplicity and freedom, and since I have no song writing guidelines or rules to follow, my songs are free. Once the doorway to a great melody begins to open there is no telling where both I and it could end up.
Ch.L.: What's the difference between your last CD and the current one?
Answer: There is a huge difference, not only in song-writing but in the recordings themselves. Masquerade was political, polemical, outspoken and around 50% gospel amongst other things. This album however is mostly about the inner fight for love and freedom, sadness, love loss, and reflections of love lost yet found. There‘s little hint of gospel or politics on there. The sound is different too, the recordings are much more unconventional and antique sounding‚ yet still modern. The album still has a touch of Masquerade in there but many of the recordings are like the recordings we heard a long time ago back in the mid 60‘s in an age when something special happened that was separated from the mixing desk and held more importance than technology and electronics. When I first recorded these tracks back in 1997, I had captured a certain raw sound and when I revived the album for re-release in 2010, I wanted remove the heavy reverbs from certain tracks yet keep that original touch rather than re-record the tracks completely with more modern equipment and no trace of that authentic sound remaining. All the mixers, stringed instruments, drums, Hammonds, microphones and amps I used for the original album were all vintage and that accounts for the raw sound. There was no sound studio or time limit or mixing room, it was just mass of cables and amps and equipment everywhere and a lot of fun. It was a pleasurable experience and a memorable time recording that album and its entire production was totally unconventional. I think that with the original tracks remaining but updated with edits and re-takes, the album works well and will stand the test of time.
Ch.L.: How much creative control do you have over your music?
Answer: I have absolute control over my music. I play all the instruments myself and the arrangements too. I‘m a kind of one man band, and producer. I‘ve been given the ability to do that and I like to work alone, however, I can‘t be a one man band in concert. So rather than play dull acoustic shows, I have a band who work with me and they replicate live what I do in the studio, and take it to the stage. Then the creative control leaps into performance and freedom takes the music to another level. I love hearing the band play my music live before an audience.
Ch.L.: What's unique about you that differentiates you from other artists?
Answer: Well, all people are unique and different from each other in one way or another, but I guess what Shimeon is all about is honest, simple song writing. I often understate my recordings so that the songs themselves stand out above standard commercial production. Its all about a song with me and maybe not much else? So I guess, if there is anything unique about me that differentiates me from other artists, it could be my honesty in song writing and my lack of desire to be liked or accepted. I do what I do and if people like it, that’s fine with me, but not, that’s ok too!
Ch.L.: When you get time off, how do you like to relax?
Answer: Well, one thing about me is that life is not all about music. I have a private life. If people listen to my lyrics they will know exactly how I like to relax. I have said many things in my songs and when I have finished my work I have much more to do. I set aside much time in life to think and listen, its not all about career and the need to be listened too. I do many things in life, I love to read and study, write and debate. I like to listen to people and they have much to say. Life has so many options open to us all but few find them.
Ch.L.: What can your fans expect to see when they see you in concert?
Answer: Oh, a good show. Its loud sounding and ready, the music and the visual take first place at my shows, and I simply do what I do, I don‘t tell jokes or anything like that… The lights dim, I step out onto the dimly lit stage and do what I do and the band plays and then I just become a member of the band and when we‘ve finished we collect the gear, and I go on home or onto the next town and the next show.
Ch.L.: Many music fans today get their information about artists via the internet. Do you have your own website and what will fans find there?
Answer: Yes, you can find out more about Shimeon at www.shimeon.co.uk and you can watch my video‘s or join my fan clubs or follow me on other networks too. My albums are available for download and there are plenty of links to guide you, all of which can be found at www.shimeon.co.uk
Ch.L.. What message would you like to send your European fans?
Answer: Thanks for taking the time to listen to me and the music and I hope your all doing well and I hope to see you all very soon.
God bless
Shimeon
Christian Lamitschka ( Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de )www.MySpace.com/ChristianLamitschka
May 2010
Ch.L.: Country Music has many new fans in Europe, who may be hearing about you for the first time. How would you describe yourself and the music you play to someone whose never seen or heard you before.
Answer: I am a songwriter and a musician with a deep dedication to song writing and the creation of music with depth and vitality, animation and truth! Much of my music has a country flavour to it, yet at the same time, rhythmic and acoustic, and not limited by a certain era or genre. The word eclectic comes to mind.
Ch.L.: What's your latest CD and how's it doing?
Answer: My latest album is called ‘Behind The Soomer Sun ‘Revived‘ and is released by Rockdown Records, who also released another record I produced this year, a certain Sean Martin EP named, Constantly. So there are two new releases out at the moment, and both are doing just fine with me. People like what I am doing.
Ch.L.: How did you choose the title for the CD, is there a story behind it?
Answer: Well, I came up with the title ‘Behind The Soomer Sun‘ a long time ago, way back in 1997. I had a vivid and slightly more wild imagination in those days and I wanted a title that went beyond the apparent, much like the music. The title ‘Soomer Sun‘ wouldn‘t leave me alone and eventually found its way to becoming Behind The Soomer Sun. Its a kind of play on words which extracts the meaning of an expedition from one place to another, from what we see to what we don‘t see. The title within this context is what the songs are all about, they are filled with mixed emotions and expressions. That‘s what the album is about and the title too. Its about something that we all see from time to time, but is often out of reach.
Ch.L.: Please tell us about the songs on your album.
Answer: Well firstly, I write all the songs myself. Many of them are simple love songs about the fight for inner freedom and finding freedom and the reflections of lost love and the memory that is reluctant to go. Most if not all of my songs on this album are filled with this theme and much simplicity, and freeness. I like simplicity and freedom, and since I have no song writing guidelines or rules to follow, my songs are free. Once the doorway to a great melody begins to open there is no telling where both I and it could end up.
Ch.L.: What's the difference between your last CD and the current one?
Answer: There is a huge difference, not only in song-writing but in the recordings themselves. Masquerade was political, polemical, outspoken and around 50% gospel amongst other things. This album however is mostly about the inner fight for love and freedom, sadness, love loss, and reflections of love lost yet found. There‘s little hint of gospel or politics on there. The sound is different too, the recordings are much more unconventional and antique sounding‚ yet still modern. The album still has a touch of Masquerade in there but many of the recordings are like the recordings we heard a long time ago back in the mid 60‘s in an age when something special happened that was separated from the mixing desk and held more importance than technology and electronics. When I first recorded these tracks back in 1997, I had captured a certain raw sound and when I revived the album for re-release in 2010, I wanted remove the heavy reverbs from certain tracks yet keep that original touch rather than re-record the tracks completely with more modern equipment and no trace of that authentic sound remaining. All the mixers, stringed instruments, drums, Hammonds, microphones and amps I used for the original album were all vintage and that accounts for the raw sound. There was no sound studio or time limit or mixing room, it was just mass of cables and amps and equipment everywhere and a lot of fun. It was a pleasurable experience and a memorable time recording that album and its entire production was totally unconventional. I think that with the original tracks remaining but updated with edits and re-takes, the album works well and will stand the test of time.
Ch.L.: How much creative control do you have over your music?
Answer: I have absolute control over my music. I play all the instruments myself and the arrangements too. I‘m a kind of one man band, and producer. I‘ve been given the ability to do that and I like to work alone, however, I can‘t be a one man band in concert. So rather than play dull acoustic shows, I have a band who work with me and they replicate live what I do in the studio, and take it to the stage. Then the creative control leaps into performance and freedom takes the music to another level. I love hearing the band play my music live before an audience.
Ch.L.: What's unique about you that differentiates you from other artists?
Answer: Well, all people are unique and different from each other in one way or another, but I guess what Shimeon is all about is honest, simple song writing. I often understate my recordings so that the songs themselves stand out above standard commercial production. Its all about a song with me and maybe not much else? So I guess, if there is anything unique about me that differentiates me from other artists, it could be my honesty in song writing and my lack of desire to be liked or accepted. I do what I do and if people like it, that’s fine with me, but not, that’s ok too!
Ch.L.: When you get time off, how do you like to relax?
Answer: Well, one thing about me is that life is not all about music. I have a private life. If people listen to my lyrics they will know exactly how I like to relax. I have said many things in my songs and when I have finished my work I have much more to do. I set aside much time in life to think and listen, its not all about career and the need to be listened too. I do many things in life, I love to read and study, write and debate. I like to listen to people and they have much to say. Life has so many options open to us all but few find them.
Ch.L.: What can your fans expect to see when they see you in concert?
Answer: Oh, a good show. Its loud sounding and ready, the music and the visual take first place at my shows, and I simply do what I do, I don‘t tell jokes or anything like that… The lights dim, I step out onto the dimly lit stage and do what I do and the band plays and then I just become a member of the band and when we‘ve finished we collect the gear, and I go on home or onto the next town and the next show.
Ch.L.: Many music fans today get their information about artists via the internet. Do you have your own website and what will fans find there?
Answer: Yes, you can find out more about Shimeon at www.shimeon.co.uk and you can watch my video‘s or join my fan clubs or follow me on other networks too. My albums are available for download and there are plenty of links to guide you, all of which can be found at www.shimeon.co.uk
Ch.L.. What message would you like to send your European fans?
Answer: Thanks for taking the time to listen to me and the music and I hope your all doing well and I hope to see you all very soon.
God bless
Shimeon
Christian Lamitschka ( Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de )www.MySpace.com/ChristianLamitschka
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