Frontiers Music Srl is pleased to announce the signing of the multi-talented Simon Collins for the release of his new album, ‘Becoming Human’, which is anticipated to be released in the autumn of 2020. Further information about the record will be made available over the summer months.
Collins has been grappling with heady subjects while writing the album. He can spend hours discussing astronomy, cosmology and quantum physics, while he also loves a good conspiracy theory. However, the rollercoaster that we all face as we become human is the central focus of the album, and it is ultimately a conversation about surrender, renewal, uplift and mortality.
I have spent a long time thinking about this theme. Even the production itself was a micro life cycle,” explains Collins. “There is a school of thought that believes humans become spiritual, but I think it’s the other way around. To me, we are spiritual beings who are learning to become human. Are we a way for the universe to know itself, or is the universe a way for us to know ourselves?”
Of the record itself, he continues: “This body of work reflects a deep, wild existential journey and sonic evolution. The soundscape explores a progressive fusion of electronic and rock influences, a cross-pollination of genres melding space atmospheres and ambient moods with progressive pop songcraft, creating a futuristic progressive sounding album.”
Guest musicians on ‘Becoming Human’ include original Sound of Contact guitarist Kelly Avril Nordstrom, the outstanding bassist Gaz Williams and guitarist Robin Boult, who also brought his bespoke keyboard and sound design to the mix.
Collins also plays some keyboards, along with drums and all the vocals, Being the son of Phil Collins, he had gravitated naturally towards the drums as a child. “It’s part of my musical DNA,” he says, before continuing: “Robbie and I collaborated on many of the songs, while the album also features co-writes with Dave Kerzner and Kelly Avril Nordstrom on songs I initially brought to the mountain of material earmarked for the second Sound of Contact album.
‘Becoming Human’ will be the fourth solo album release by Collins, following his 2000 debut ‘All Of Who You Are’, ‘Time For Truth’ (2005) and ‘U-Catastrophe’ (2008).
In 2010, he co-founded the critically acclaimed band Sound of Contact. Featuring himself on lead vocals and drums, the rest of the band included keyboardist/producer Dave Kerzner, guitarist Kelly Nordstrom and bassist Matt Dorsey.
The band received the Limelight Award (essentially Best New Band) at the Progressive Music Awards in 2013, with their debut album, ‘Dimensionaut’, being the fastest selling debut album by any band in the 20 year history of leading progressive rock label Inside Out Music.
With ‘Becoming Human’ under his belt, an album based on the many aspects of the human condition, there is a hint of transformation through storytelling, a glimpse of evolving consciousness. “My own,” concludes Collins.
