{"id":22505,"date":"2015-08-24T16:59:03","date_gmt":"2015-08-24T14:59:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.deephouseamsterdam.com\/?p=22505"},"modified":"2015-08-24T16:59:03","modified_gmt":"2015-08-24T14:59:03","slug":"interview-kate-simko","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.deephouseamsterdam.com\/london\/interview-kate-simko\/","title":{"rendered":"Interview: Kate Simko"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kate Simko has carved an international career as an electronic music producer, film composer, live performer, and DJ. Hailing from Chicago, Kate\u2019s music reflects the influences of the city\u2019s underground sounds, as well her background in classical piano and jazz music.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Getting her start on Ghostly<\/em> alongside Matthew Dear<\/strong> and Ryan Elliot<\/strong>, Kate has since released on Get Physical, Hello?Repeat, Leftroom<\/em>, and No. 19<\/em>, and was named one of Chicago\u2019s Top 10 DJs by XLR8R<\/em>. This fall Kate has an album upcoming on Sasha<\/strong>\u2019s label Last Night on Earth<\/em>, and her debut London Electronic Orchestra<\/strong> EP on the Vinyl Factory<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Kate’s London Electronic Orchestra project in 2014 and have since sold out concerts at the Britten Theatre, National Gallery<\/strong>, and opened the iTunes Festival 2014<\/strong>. Featuring live instrumentation from harp, violins, cellos, and upright bass, they create intimate atmospherics and indelible frequencies. Their track \u2018One Time Game,\u2019<\/strong> alongside Jamie Jones<\/strong>, is a beautiful classic that is paired with a raw 909 club mix.<\/p>\n

Anticipating the August 28 release of ‘One Time Game,’ and fresh off her Shoreditch House<\/strong> LEO performance, we caught up with Kate Simko to discuss academia, Jamie Jones, gear, and more.<\/p>\n

\u201c…when you make a piece of music for yourself you start from any creative inspiration point, and the song grows into it\u2019s own story and world.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/h2>\n

Your project London Electronic Orchestra will release its first EP soon. Can you describe London Electronic Orchestra? How did this collaboration between LEO and yourself first come about?<\/strong>
\nHi! The LEO is basically a band. In its smallest state it\u2019s me, a harpist, two violinists, two cellists, and an upright bassist. That\u2019s our core group, but we\u2019ve done shows adding in woodwinds, and had our largest show with a 36-piece orchestra. I write the music, and then adapt it to the ensemble. I started the project a couple years ago while I was getting a masters at the Royal College of Music. To be honest I looked at it like an art project, didn\u2019t expect it to make it this far into the real world.<\/p>\n

How did Jamie Jones get on board with the collaboration, as the track \u2018One Time Game\u2019 was finished in his studio and released on his (and Lee Foss\u2019) new label Emerald City? How do each of you complement each other in the studio and on stage?<\/strong>
\nI\u2019ve known Jamie for a few years, and go back to Chicago days with Lee Foss. Since moving to London I saw the guys more, and Jamie knew I was really into Hot Natured and his new music. Last winter Jamie got in touch to see if I\u2019d like to collaborate together. We sent stuff back-and-forth from London to LA, and then finished the EP in Jamie\u2019s studio in London. It\u2019s funny because the LEO wasn\u2019t meant to be on the record originally. I played the song with live strings at LEAF festival and then we liked it so added them in pretty late.<\/p>\n

The track \u2018One Time Game\u2019 also features some smooth vocals from Jem Cooke. Describe Jem Cooke\u2019s approach to creativity? Why was she the right person to feature as vocalist on this particular track?<\/strong>
\nJem and I have worked together on a few tracks, and I love her voice and style. \u2018One Time Game\u2019 was a little different because I wrote the lyrics, but then Jem brought the song to life. We have a good relationship in the studio, so I knew she\u2019d get the intent and nuances.<\/p>\n

What is next for you and London Electronic Orchestrsa moving forward? Have you ever considered composing symphonic pieces for full orchestra?<\/strong>
\nNext up we play Heart in Ibiza next week, then an intimate show on the rooftop of Shoreditch House later in August, then Bestival (which is exciting!). And then release-wise we have our first EP this fall on the Vinyl Factory, and album in the spring. When I was at the RCM I composed for full orchestra a few times. I loved it, and hope to do it again!<\/p>\n

What is a vital piece of gear you cannot live without, both in the studio and on the road?<\/strong>
\nThe Juno 106. I just can\u2019t bring myself take it off my live rider, and will always keep it in the studio.<\/p>\n

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As someone who also dabbles in film production, I am interested to hear your approach to film\/narrative\/documentary composition. How do you approach such a project? How does this approach compare with your approach to creating a more dancefloor oriented piece of music?<\/strong>
\nHmmm I guess the biggest difference is when you make a piece of music for yourself you start from any creative inspiration point, and the song grows into it\u2019s own story and world. With film music, I try to get into that world first, and have the music gel with the film. I love both.<\/p>\n

Relocating to London, I see you have completed a degree in Composition for Screen from the Royal College of Music? How was this experience? How \u201cacademic\u201d did you find the program, specifically related to musical theory? Do you consider yourself an academically minded person?<\/strong>
\nThe experience was amazing. Honestly the RCM doesn\u2019t mess around! I was the only one who had zero experience writing for orchestra going into the course. So I had to mainly self-teach myself how to write for all of the instruments as we went. Experimenting in the studio with the players and seeing what the instruments can do is what lead to the LEO. I fell in love with these instruments. It was a flexible course, no written work, just music composition. I think that was the end of my academic path, but it was great to have hardcore training like that.<\/p>\n

Speaking of London, in coming from Chicago, how can you compare the two cities? What are some similarities and differences between the two?<\/strong>
\nWell both cities love music. Chicago is famous for blues, jazz, house music, post-rock, and Pitchfork. I grew up around music fanatics, and that\u2019s how I ended up DJing on the radio and making my own music. Londoners also have an infectious love for music. I love hearing music and playing shows here.<\/p>\n

2015 seems to be quite a busy year for you with the EP release, collaboration, touring and a new album w\/ Tevo Howard. How do you control stress in your life? Do you have any specific time management skills you are willing to share?<\/strong>
\nThat\u2019s a good question. Maybe I should start yoga!<\/p>\n

Finally, will you get a chance to chill out anytime soon? If so, what is a perfect \u201cchill\u201d day for Kate Simko?<\/strong>
\nYes, I\u2019m going to stay a couple extra days in Ibiza next week after our show at Heart. I\u2019ll probably go to Jamie\u2019s Paradise night, but then just relax by the beach the rest of the time. Good food and sunshine are a perfect chill day for me.<\/p>\n

‘One Time Game’ is Available 28 August\u00a0on Emerald City\u00a0Music<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Soundcloud <\/a><\/span> Artist Page <\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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