Sim-1
L-O-V-E is the fuel that powers drummer/ producer/ composer/ multi-instrumentalist Simone White (aka Sim-1).
After several years as one of San Francisco’s top drummers – where he laid down a monster backbeat for Bay area luminaries like Michael Franti and Spearhead, Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, Afro-Mystik, Midnite Voices, and recorded and toured with artists like George Clinton, Mark Eitzel, Sakia and more – Simone followed his heart, married his soul mate, and literally moved to the other side of the planet – Sydney, Australia.
Now Simone is the funkiest drummer down under, performing and recording with Ausie artists like Alexander Nettleback and Isis Aston, and picking up live gigs here and there with folks like The Bee Gees. He’s also stepped up his studio game doing remote session work and collaborations with Carl McIntosh of Loose Ends, 05Ric, Nadir, DJ Butterface, Michael Turner and others.
Additionally, this move for the love of life and music allows Simone to focus more on writing and producing. As Sim-1, he unleashes his futuristic, groove-heavy, electro jazz funk compositions on unsuspecting dance floors across the globe.
Visit Sim-1 Music Productions on Facebook
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Detroit Bass Player Interview
Roots Rhythm and Rhyme Praises Steffanie Christi’an’s ‘No Holds Barred’ Live Performance
Steffanie Christi’an (right) at Black Women Rock 2014 Photo by Tanya Moutzalias | CultureSource
From Roots Rhythm and Rhyme:
Black Women Rocked the Charles H. Wright Museum for Women’s History Month
“…there were no holds barred during Detroit based rock/soul artist Steffanie Christi’ian’s performance, which was was by far the most edgy and entertaining. Christi’an definitely showcased that gut-wrenching rock sound Detroit is known for, especially when she was dancing all over the stage and engaging in a battle with the guitarist. But, it was her rough, soul-driven vocals that stole the show, especially when she performed ‘What You Gonna Do’ and the rock heavy tune ‘Hit.'”
Steffanie Christi’an – Way Too Much (cd & digital)
Unmeasurable energy. Enormous passion and power. A phenomenal set of pipes. These are the qualities that have attracted collaborators like Big Proof of D12 (RIP), and producer Emanuel Kiriakou. They are on display when she opens for artists like Erykah Badu, Talib Kweli, and Taproot. They are the reason she’s the secret weapon of jessica Care moore’s Black Women Rock revues, where she routinely holds her own on stage with rock goddesses like Res, Joi, Divinity Roxx, Tamar Kali, Dionne Farris, Imani Uzuri, Martha Redbone and more.
Steffanie Christi’an gives you more in-your-face, Detroit rock and roll than you can handle. She’ll leave you spent, exhausted, and mesmerized, motionless on the floor, begging for one more hit.
Nadir Omowale: ‘Detroit Can Teach The World How To Succeed As An Independent Artist’
Originally Published at Deadline Detroit
It’s difficult to pigeonhole Detroit musician and producer Nadir Omowale into a specific genre. Jazz, funk, soul, rock and many other genres influence in his music. Out of that eclectic mix, Nadir has successfully crafted full-time career in the industry.
You’re originally from Elizabethton, Tennessee, went to Nashville for college and moved to Detroit in 1999. How has it been different living and working in the Detroit scene?
I was in Nashville playing my original music, which is funk-rock-soul based. Unfortunately at that particular time, it was really difficult to gain any traction in Nashville with that kind of music. I happened to meet a young lady who worked at the Nashville Ford plant. We took a liking to each other and she became my wife, Akanke. Before we made that decision she said, “You know, at some point I’m going to have to move to Detroit,” and I said, “Well I can make music in Detroit.” Moving here actually has turned out to be fantastic for my music career. I was raised on that Detroit sound, and it really was an opportunity to come home musically. As people in Detroit heard me play, they really embraced me and my music.
The Michigan Citizen: UltraSound brings new music experience to Detroit
Originally Published in The Michigan Citizen
The UltraSound, hosted and presented by CoolBeanz (formerly known as RenCen CoolBeanz), is a new live music performance series by Detroit’s best singers and musicians in an intimate acoustic experience. Debuting Jan. 26 at the 5e Gallery in Detroit, the evening featured performances by Steffanie Christi’an, Pierre Anthony and Gwenation. Between songs, the artists answered questions about their lives, careers and inspirations for the music they create.
Steffanie Christi’an and her band. (Left to Right: Nadir Omowale, Christopher Spooner, Steffanie Christi’an, Dummine Depores. Not shown: Jeff Rebrovich and Lauren Johnson
Steffanie Christi’an, who is known for singing over high powered rock n’ roll songs on stages throughout Detroit, was accompanied on acoustic guitar by Nadir Omowale and Duminie DePorres, backed by a rhythm section and keys. The setting allowed for a more intimate experience with the singer, who gave the fans an experience of her exceptional voice.
“I sing rock n’ roll. I would say that I’m pretty aggressive, and this is so different from what it is I do on a regular basis, but I appreciate things when they’re turned down a little bit because you can hear what I’m saying,” laughs Steffanie Christi’an. “It’s just a different energy. I get to see people a little bit differently when they get to hear something like this.”
Steffanie Christi’an at The Ultrasound – Sunday, January 26
THE ULTRASOUND is a new platform for artists to intimately connect with fans. They strip away the theatrics of the stage, and put the fans right in front of their favorite Detroit artists. Artists perform acoustic sets, and in between songs, the audience gets to interview them.
Online Tickets are $15@: www.neptix.com/
Catch Distorted Soul artist Steffanie Christi’an with Pierre Anthony and Gwenation.
Powered by : @Bling UniverCity, The Refinement Group & @Social Media Chick.
For More info / physical tickets: 248.987.8063
Michael Turner – “Look At Us Now”
Here is a sneak peak from Michael Turner‘s forthcoming album Dare To Love.
“I wrote ‘Look At Us Now’ in response to the current state of the world,” Turner says. “If you take a look at how the United States started as a nation, and what was promised as it pertains to basic rights, freedom, and the American dream, a lot is promised with American citizenship, and yet minorities, gays, immigrants, and socioeconomically disenfranchised people still face a lot of struggles.
“The media tends to focus on the negative, versus highlighting the positive stories that show progress, and the areas where we are heading in the right direction. We’ve still got a long way to go if we’re going to save ourselves, but if we don’t look at ourselves critically, we’ll never figure out how to make those changes.”
A Birthday Party For Everyone: The 2nd Annual Birthday Show with White Shag and Michael Turner
White Shag, the Motor City’s premiere psychedelic power trio teams up with rock and soul stirrer Michael Turner for The Second Annual Birthday Show on Friday, January 17 at New Way Bar, 23130 Woodward Avenue in Ferndale. The party starts at 9:00pm with party favors, and birthday cake. Admission to the 21 and older show is free. The show is sponsored by stage apparel retailer Showtime Detroit, and Detroit record label, Distorted Soul.
The Birthday Show tradition began in 2013 as a way for White Shag to celebrate their own births, but it was expanded to include everyone who ever had a birthday (meaning, You and YOU). This year they invited their friend, Michael Turner, former lead singer of hard-charging Detroit rockers, Jiva, to premiere his new solo project at the birthday celebration.
Turner, whose birthday is January 22, will release his first solo album on the Distorted Soul label this summer, and he is anxious to show off his new material. “I can’t wait to get back on stage with some of Detroit’s finest musicians, and the always rocking band, White Shag,” Turner says. His band includes Twistin’ Tarantula’s guitarist Lawerence Daversa, and Detroit funk assassin Nadir Omowale on bass.
Meanwhile, White Shag has been rocking clubs and racking up acclaim all over the nation. They recently received three nominations in the 2014 Rockwired Radio Music Awards, and were among Music Connection’s Top 100 Unsigned Bands. Bassist and vocalist, Laura Mendoza, is excited to celebrate this year’s birthday show at Ferndale’s newly remodeled New Way Bar.
“I’m really happy we got to put on The Birthday Show again this year,” Mendoza says. “Last year’s show was really fun, so you can count on the same this year!”
Reavis Mitchell – Soul Beats Vol. 1 (AVAILABLE NOW on 12-inch vinyl, CD & digital)
What is “Soul”? Soul is the immortal essence of life. It is the electrochemical element that binds the “self” to the “all”.
What does Soul sound like? Soul is a deep resonance in your chest that sparks emotion, sets your heart on fire and makes you move.
Distorted Soul & Soulbeat Productions bring you the first volume of the Soul Beats series, as scientist/producer/artist Reavis Mitchell breaks the sound barrier again. [Read more…]
Coming Soon: Reavis Mitchell – Soul Beats Vol. 1 (DS12-001)
Exclusive GRAMMY.com Interview With Reavis Mitchell
Songwriter, producer/engineer and Distorted Soul recording artist, Reavis Mitchell, discusses his career beginnings and the producers who have inspired him in this interview on Grammy.com.
Click HERE to WATCH THE VIDEO
Click HERE to READ THE ARTICLE
Songwriter and producer/engineer Reavis “Rev” Mitchell recently visited the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville and participated in an exclusive GRAMMY.com interview. Mitchell discussed his career beginnings, current projects and the four producers who have inspired him, among other topics.
Reavis Mitchell – Soul Beats Vol. 1 (cd & digital)
Though he recently came to prominence as a co-founder of BKE Technology and an architect of the Beat Thang Mobile Music Production System, Rev has been manufacturing music for years. Clients like Sony Music, Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, USA Networks and a bevy of major label and independent artists rely on Professor Mitchell’s Soulbeat Productions to power their products to new heights.
On Soul Beats Volume 1, the Soulbeat Scientist has concocted a signature collection of soul-infused hip hop and funk instrumentals for your sonic toolbox.
Learn More About Reavis Mitchell
