How Simian Mobile Disco evolved from club DJs to experimental electronic pioneers
In short: Formed in 2003, English duo Simian Mobile Disco transitioned from remixing indie bands to crafting complex, analogue-focused electronic music. Their career spans from club-ready hits to experimental live recordings and choral collaborations, constantly shifting their creative process until a health-related hiatus prompted a move toward diverse solo projects.
James Ford and Jas Shaw, originally members of the band Simian, launched Simian Mobile Disco as a DJ duo in 2003. Their early work gained traction through remixes for artists like Klaxons and the Go! Team, alongside underground singles such as 2006's 'Hustler'. By 2007, they released their debut album, 'Attack Decay Sustain Release', establishing a reputation for analogue production that would define their sound for over a decade.
The duo’s approach to album creation was notably fluid. For their 2014 album 'Whorl', they performed at an intimate show in Pioneertown, California, using only one synthesizer and one sequencer each, later polishing the recordings in the studio. In 2018, they pivoted again with 'Murmurations', an album recorded in collaboration with the Deep Throat Choir. Shaw described the experience of working with the choir as akin to using an 'incredible new synthesiser', drawing inspiration from Bulgarian choral music and experimental composers like Pauline Oliveros.
The group's trajectory shifted in 2018 when a planned tour was cancelled following Shaw's diagnosis with AL amyloidosis. This led to a 'temporary hiatus' that continues to the present. During this period, both members have pursued independent paths: Ford has continued his prolific career as a producer for artists like Gorillaz and Depeche Mode, while Shaw has released solo EPs and collaborated on projects like Selling and his work with Bas Grossfeldt. Despite their long break from performing as a duo, their legacy remains rooted in their refusal to repeat themselves, viewing each album as a 'slight turn sideways' rather than a radical departure.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Simian Mobile Disco
- Also: Wikidata — Simian Mobile Disco · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — Simian Mobile Disco's albums in chronological order · CC0
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