THE SOUNDS WON'T STOP

We were recently lucky enough to get a glimpse of the latest release from Simon Oakley & The Witching Hounds which turns out to be quite an invasive and engulfing rock banger of a record that blends amazing classic and indie rock elements with hard, heavy, and alternative rock but always seems to have a bit of melodically progressive overtone and feed into the energy of Arena rock at times.

The record is called In Times Of Mass Delusion, and it doesn't waste a lot of time diving right in with its first and title track, which gives you some of the amazing staples that you're going to hear throughout the rest of the record, but also lets you dig deep into the lyrics that definitely send a message.

The track introduces itself with an acoustic guitar but quickly opens up into a big rock soundscape, and you get that classic undertone. It feels like a song that was written in the late 70s, but with amazing quality, and that sort of aesthetic comes and goes throughout the record.

You have heavy-handed indie rock style vocals with some great little echo effects on them, letting them sit nicely along with the music itself, and those vocals are performed in such a robust and animated style that you get attached to them pretty quickly, along with, again, those lyrics.

A lot of the songs on the record have something to say and have a little more depth than you might expect.

As the record unfolds, along with the progressive approaches, you get some driving ones too. Tracks like "Ghost Dance" provide you with such a catchy Rhythm, edgy and hard-hitting guitars, but also this catchy feel. The song is memorable because it's got hooks both vocally and instrumentally. This is something I love about real rock music.

Good, heavier hard rock usually has some great hooks, guitar-wise, along with those killer choruses, and this record is not lacking either of those.

Then you have songs like "Rise of The Unknown", which give you more story to hold on to lyrically. I love songs like this because you do pay a lot of attention to what's going on in the song itself, but also can rock out with the whole soundscape of it.

The guitar work on this record just keeps getting better and better as the record unfolds, and this is something I adore.

There are also more than a few surprises around the corners of this album, and it's something that also boasts songs that stick with you in different ways.

Certain tracks have lyrics that stick with you more, while others have riffs or Melodies that stay with you for hours or even days after the song has ended.

Having said that, this is most certainly the kind of record you listen to in full.

Listening to one or two tracks will give you a good idea of what you might expect, but will not give you the full spectrum of what the full album has to offer.

As I mentioned earlier, one of the things that I love most about this is the energy because it's absolutely thriving the entire time.

It makes you want to go see them perform it live. It's very rare that you hear a record and immediately know that the band is going to be awesome to see in a live performance setting. This is one of those Rarities.

The other aspect about listening to the full record in one shot is that it feels almost like a concept record. Certain songs interconnect with each other in different ways, and when you listen to the words, it does feel like it's a complete story starting from the top to the bottom.

That is really cool for me because I grew up in a time of full albums.

You would hear a song on the radio and go find the record at the record store but unless you found the single tape or CD, you would just buy the album in full.

This was awesomely fun because you got the full experience listening to the album. You've got to listen to all kinds of other amazing songs and go through musical journeys you didn't expect to go through.

That's the beauty and almost magic of an album.

In Times Of Mass Delusion provides me with the same feeling. That full heavy rock album aesthetic is there through and through, and I held on to that.

Now, this is an 8-track release that, again, takes in a lot of classic rock but edgy and alternative rock influence and spits it out in its own way.

Although the record isn't out for a few weeks, set to drop September 5th, we were lucky enough to chat with the band and talk about this record, among other things.

Here's what happened.

TSWS: Did you record this at a home studio or were you at a big studio for this one?

TIM - It was recorded at a magical place with a wonderful man who is like our 5th BeatleSIMON - Kevin Jones our producer, has a wealth of experience in the music industry and has his own small studio (Eastriver Production Studio) in East Sussex, near where we live. As Tim pointed out, he is like another member of the band.

TSWS: How do you guys write songs? Is it one person who brings the songs to the band and then it evolves from there?

TIM - I write the songs in my head first and then get them from my head to a guitar. I tend to do a basic demo and then work them up from there. Everyone then gets an input.SIMON - This all started as a solo project for me during the government lockdowns - out of this intense and difficult period came a number of demos, which Tim and our original bass player, encouraged me to progress with. My approach to songwriting is fairly chaotic and ad-hoc, but always starts with me on my acoustic guitar, I never hear a song in my head, inspiration just comes to me (when it decides to). We also can’t forget our incredibly talented young lead guitarist, David French, his input into the songs is the very special ingredient, it’s a true collaboration. He is also writing songs for future albums.

TSWS: Now that this record is out there, are you guys going to be playing shows or touring at all?

SIMON - We have been playing live locally on the South Coast of England and have played in London - We came third in the Radio Wigwam Awards (Best Rock and Blues) this year and got asked to play in London - we are hoping to get nominated again. There are things going on in the background regarding support slots with established bands, watch this space! Touring? That would be amazing, but in reality as an independent band with busy family lives and work, it would require an offer we could not refuse. I would personally love to play in the USA, it’s still the only place to make it, whatever anyone tells you.

TSWS: What bands would you say are the biggest influences on this record?

SIMON - For me it’s Black Sabbath, The Who, Bowie, New Order, The Sex Pistols and The Cult - my church of rock is very broad!TIM - I’m in my fifties with an eclectic taste in music so it’s a melting pot of all those years and all those songs. 

TSWS: Who are you listening to right now?

SIMON - I’ve recently been listening to a progressive rock band from Norway called Airbag.TIM - I always have the Darkness on my playlist. Those guys are so fucking cool and have written some incredible songs over the years. 

TSWS: Do you have any music videos lined up for this record?

TIM - Possibly! I’d like to do a video with Margot Robbie and Nadiya Bychkova but I doubt either would agree to it !SIMON - There will be some lyric videos or maybe a performance video
Now that this is out, what's next for the band?TIM - We have a launch party planned for this album and then work continues on writing the 2nd album and hopefully recording and releasing a Christmas single. SIMON - Promotion, promotion, promotion!

TSWS: Are you already writing new stuff?

TIM - Yes. I currently have about three songs going round in my head, so it’s all happening. SIMON - Yes - there is something brewing, I have new demo’s in the works

TSWS: What would you say people can expect from this album?

TIM - I think this album brings a great mix of interesting toe tapping, catchy, sing along songs. There’s something for everyone in this album.SIMON - Among all the hooks and rock guitar solo’s, there is a very serious message on this record -  we are living in some strange and dangerous times and I hope everyone listens to the lyrics and the message. It’s all in there, waiting to be discovered.

TSWS: What would you like to say to fans of the music out there?

TIM - Thank you for your support and interest in our band and the music we are creating. We are an independent band that are passionate and committed to making music that we want to hear, rather than what the big record companies (with their infinite budgets) push.  Think your own thoughts, make your own decisions and choices and maybe this little band of unknowns will rise. SIMON - I agree with Tim - be true to yourself and make music you enjoy - the rest will follow.

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THE SOUNDS WON'T STOP

9 May 2023

An Interview With Simon Oakley

www.thesoundswontstop.com/simon-oakley

A new EP release from Simon Oakley delivers a set of heartfelt and emotionally driven rock singles that are inspired by some of the great classics and have a way of showing the artist's personal side as the tracks are honest while telling stories at the same time.

The Rise Up for The People EP consists of a set of full-bodied and cinematic undertone rock songs that each have their own two legs to stand on but as far as the record goes, it should be listened to from beginning to end in one shot.

This release plays through almost like a concept record would and the stories have a strange way of sort of connecting.

Throughout the EP's playthrough, you get an array of vibrant and impactful songs and progressions that come together to create a certain atmosphere that's very easy for you to fall right into.

There's something very cinematic about this EP and because of that when it's done, you have to almost shake it off to find your footing back to reality again.

That kind of escapism in music is something that you don't see that much anymore so it's really refreshing to get that again.

You can tell a lot went into the creation of these songs and that Simon has an absolute love for his craft because everything comes through with a certain level of passion and heart.

This was a powerful release that has a way of sticking with you for days and the only way to satiate that is to go back and listen to it again.

You get a great array of classic rock influences peeking through during the release and the elements of how this record creates an atmosphere are all very evident.

The vocals are delivered with a soul and you have some organs that fill the space in the background floating around The Ether of the songs giving them an even more impactful backing.

Everything about this record is driven by something genuine and authentic.

This is something that you can hear with almost every single song on the EP and the ones that are incredibly clear are the ones that just give you these messages to listen to.

These songs were clearly a way for Simon to get things off of his chest and I think when it comes to songwriters this can be a cathartic thing.

It would be for me anyway.

The important thing about this is that it actually connects with the listeners and resonates in a way so that they feel like they're not alone in their thought process on certain topics.

With the release of such a wonderfully built and woven EP, we wanted to have a sit-down with Simon Oakley to talk about where this all actually came from and what might be coming next for the artist.

Here's what happened.

TSWS: Okay, let's start with " Rise Up for The People"! This single had this anthemic feel to it that was massive! How did this single come about?

All the songs off the EP were written during the 2020 lockdowns in the UK. It was obviously a very intense time and every song on the EP was inspired by that period of time. Rise up for the People was written on my acoustic guitar and conveys my feelings towards the unnecessary fear, lies and pain that were being inflicted on the general public....I think I've been vindicated in those feelings but unfortunately the fear, pain and lies continue. I wanted the song to sound as big as possible in a true 1980's style.

TSWS: How did this all start for you as an artist? When did you fall in love with music?

I'm a bit of late starter as an originals artist but have always been in and around music and entertainment for as long as I can remember. My first musical memories were Adam and The Ants and The Sex Pistols, I fell in love with the intense tribal sounds.

TSWS: What kind of things really inspire songs for you?

Ok, here goes!......Social injustice, government overreach, the mainstream media, technocracy, transhumanism, the natural world, the paranormal, Sci Fi, space, aliens and the mystery of life.

TSWS: What are you performing on this single exactly?

Vocals and rhythm guitar

TSWS: This single has some great styles on it! Can you give us some of your biggest influences musically?

Being a child of the 70s and 80s I was lucky enough to he bombarded with some of the best music ever produced. My main early influences (in no particular order!) were The Sex Pistols, Adam and The Ants, Joy Division, PIL The Cure, David Bowie and The Cult. I was also a big fan of the grunge era bands in the 90's such as Soundgarden, The Screaming Trees and Alice In Chains

TSWS: This track will be part of a full EP of the same title, correct? When will that release?

The full 5 track EP is due for release on Friday 5th May 2023.

TSWS: What are you doing when you're NOT working on music?

Looking after my close family and partner, I have twin teenage boys who are also musicians.

TSWS: Who's in your headphones right now?

The Cult - Under The Midnight Sun

TSWS: Are you doing any live performances right now?

I have plans to perform these songs live in the near future. Watch out for some live online sessions.

TSWS: Did you record yourself or hit a big studio for this?

The demos for the EP were recorded at home on my acoustic/electric guitar and macbook then taken to my producer Kevin Jones here in the UK who has a professional studio called Eastriver Production Studios. Not only did he produce the EP but also played some guitar, bass and keyboards on the tracks.

TSWS: What can your fans expect from you in the near future?

New songs are being formed all the time, I hope to release another single in the coming months and release another EP towards the end of the year.

TSWS: Before we go, what would you like to say to fans of the music?

Thank you for taking the time to listen to my music. It comes from the heart and I hope it provides some solace, truth and peace to the listener.

EARMILK

simon-oakley-explores-the-heart-of-the-sun

If you're a fan of Simon Oakley or his previous single "Hope", you'll be thrilled to hear that Simon has released his follow-up single, "Heart Of The Sun", on January 16th, 2023. This upcoming folk artist's latest track is going to take you on a musical journey you won't soon forget. The creative minds behind this new single have once again woven a tapestry of sound that blends various genres seamlessly. The track is an eclectic mix of new wave/gothic vibes, with elements of progressive and classic rock, and a sprinkle of alt country/western. It's a musical hybrid that's as unique as it is captivating.

Influenced by legends like Led Zeppelin, The Cure, and The Cult, this single is a nod to the past while simultaneously carving out its own space in the world of music. It's a love letter to the artists that came before, while still blazing its own trail. We can't wait to see what other influences they'll incorporate into the full 4-track EP, set to be released later this year. So, if you're ready to be transported to another world through the power of music, make sure to add "Heart Of The Sun" to your playlist as soon as it drops on January 16th, 2023. This track promises to be the perfect soundtrack to your wildest dreams and darkest nightmares. Don't miss out on this musical journey!

THE SOUNDS WON'T STOP

www.thesoundswontstop.com/simon-oakley-ep

15 March 2024

An upcoming EP release from Simon Oakley is a very lush rock sounding record but it also boasts a certain kind of vastness in its undertone and brings elements of everything from post punk to much heavier tones into play but there are also elements of the record that make it feel almost like a concept release of sorts and songs have strange ways of interconnecting with each other and this is only one of the reasons to listen to the EP in full.

The Standing Outside, Looking In EP has plenty of surprises around its corners and a lot of them send you off into different places and the record as a whole lets you sort of escape and has a wonderful way of pulling you away from your surroundings which I adore because you don't get it that often these days.

Not only does this record hit with a harder and heavier rock tonality at times, but it also brings together so many different influences and one release from that classic hard rock sound to a cinematic and more open progressive style, even punk rock shows face from time to time and it's all delivered with this particular attitude that you just get attached to.

Another reason that you need to listen to this record in full is simply because if you don't then you're not getting the full spectrum of what it actually has to offer.

There's a slew of different song writing approaches here and each one of them sounds incredibly authentic and the aesthetic for them is always nailed.

There's even a softer and more subtle '90s pop rock style with certain tracks delivered and those are the ones that at times, give me hints of nostalgia because I grew up with a lot of that stuff along with other music.

This record has plenty of guitar hooks strewn across its existence and I really get into that kind of stuff because I feel like good rock music has lost some of that element and is always focused on that chorus or a vocal hook which is totally fine, but at times I really miss the musical hook aspect of rock and roll so, I was really pleasantly surprised with all of the great hooks musically that are given off on this record.

By the time you even get halfway through the six-track record you begin to expect the unexpected because of the range of rock that's actually portrayed and it reminds me of the days when you would hear a song on the radio and you would go and buy the album or the EP at the record store because even though you heard a certain track that made you buy the record, once you got it, you would listen to the whole damn thing and this is something that a lot of the younger generations unfortunately don't understand.

This is why it brings me a bit of joy and a little bit of nostalgia to hear an actual six track EP get released at once because we live in such a single-based society that it doesn't happen as often as it used to or as much as it should in my opinion.

Simon is uncanny and his ability to bring his different influences to the table and although he's not reinventing the wheel by any means, he's putting his own spin on things at the same time and a lot of this stuff pays homage to the music he grew up listening to as well.

Or at least it seems that way.

This was an incredibly well woven record that hits the sweet spots for so many rock genres that anyone into rock music in general should really love it.

I think my favorite track of this release is the actual title track of it because this gives one of the best examples of all the influences combined in one because you have the vast rock element, the progressive element and some hard rock as well and there's even a remix at the end of the record of this track.

Is set to release on Friday April 5th however, as we all ramp up for it we decided to have a sit-down with the artist to find out more.

Here's what happened.

Welcome back! We're excited about the new record! Let's talk about that!

TSWS: This was a long time coming! Are these tracks all recorded at different times? Is it sort of a compilation of recent songs or have you been working on the EP as a whole?

I’ve been working on the EP since my last release Rise up for the People in 2023. Three tracks have already been released as stand alone singles, The Witching Hounds, Standing Outside, Looking In and Whispering Voice. I like to work towards five or six songs to collate as EP’s and pick and choose singles as and when I feel the time is right. I’m old fashioned in that sense, EP’s, albums and bodies of work should still have a place in todays mad music industry.

TSWS: The EP certainly has a blend of hard rock, classic rock, and plenty more which was really well built! What inspired this record to happen?

This record is loosely based on paranormal experiences I have encountered in my life. Standing Outside, Looking In is specifically dedicated to the famous Rendlesham Forest UFO landing incident that happened on a US army base on UK soil in 1981. Whispering Voice is also about a UFO experience I had in the Mojave Desert USA back in 2019. The Witching Hounds relates to the large black paranormal dogs that are frequently seen all over the UK, they have separate name for this phenomena in different parts of the UK. In my part of the England (East Sussex) they are called The Witching Hounds, The Darkness (from Suffolk) famously sang about the Black Shuck on their debut album, Permission To Land. Other tracks on the EP are related to the dark and sinister people I have encountered in my 54 years on this planet, they are calling signs or warnings.

TSWS: Did you create this release through a home studio set-up?

All the originals demos of my songs were created on my Mac Book with Garage Band. I then take them to my producer Kevin Jones at Eastriver Production Studios in East Sussex, UK.  He helps to arrange the songs and plays additional instruments on the recordings.

TSWS: Are you planning on performing these live at all?

I am currently rehearsing with some local musicians and hoping to bring these songs to life in a live environment in 2024.

TSWS: I feel like you are constantly working on songs. Is this true?

Like many musicians, "the muse” comes and goes! When it calls, I’m hopefully ready with my guitar.

TSWS: Can we expect any music videos anytime?

There is a video for Standing Outside, Looking In on my You Tube channel. I plan to produce one more for another yet to be released track on the EP.

TSWS: How do you feel like your sound has evolved from when you first started?

I feel this latest EP has more complex chord, melodic and lyrical structures, I feel I’ve covered a few new bases in genre on this record as well.

TSWS: Are you a guitarist first and foremost?

I am foremost a singer and writer who can play rhythm guitar and play simple melodic lead lines to create my songs. In my opinion all the best classic rock songs in history started out with an acoustic guitar and an idea.

TSWS: What's the plan for next releases?

There are three demo's in the embryonic stages for the next EP, I am working on. I’ll hopefully start recording in the late summer of 2024.

TSWS: What would you like to express to fans of the music and what can they expect from this EP?

I hope everyone who listens to my new EP can take different life aspects from it. There are stories, warnings and dream like states within the music and lyrics. We are living in some very strange times, change and a great new awakening is coming. Light always overcomes the dark.

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