Simesky + Fritch came crashing into my world in May of this year when their bold and synth-filled single ‘Colour Running Away‘ “came across my desk”. I was quickly engrossed in their blend of post-punk and new-wave synthy goodness, and I really wanted to find out more about the talented musicians behind the tune.
Earlier this month, and for the very first time, Will Wilkinson and Alex Simesky found themselves in the same country and in the same room. It must have been fate! Thrilled that I got to chat with both of them, they walk us through their brand new tune ‘Back and Down Again’, what they’d be if they weren’t musicians, and what the future has in store. Please give a big welcome to our friends Will and Alex, AKA Simesky + Fritch!
Welcome welcome! It’s great to have you here! I love discovering acts that are still in their relative infancy. What brought the two of you together?
Will: Pure chance, the universe and good taste. Alex, the Simesky of Simesky+Fritch, sent in a release of his ultra cool 80s instrumental synthwavy sonics and I got to review it for a site I run. I’d been itching to try something new for a while after a couple of releases as Fritch (I had Fritchy feet) and Alex really grabbed me. In short, I forced my ego and vocals upon him and he’s regretted the offer ever since.
Alex: Thank you for having us! If regrets feel like musical love, so be it! I was instantaneously grabbed by Will’s work with Fritch. Just listening to the voice, the poetic delivery and the distinctive universe, the decision to collaborate didn’t take very long.
‘Colour Running Away’ was the first single I heard of yours, and I was hooked straight away! How proud are you of the track and what does it mean to you?
Alex: It’s probably that smash intro, that first explosive sound probably promises a lot and I hope that we delivered! The whole song is possibly a justification for that big bang. But seriously, I’m so glad that the track finally reached its form with Fritch – it’s one of those that traversed many years of metamorphosis. This combination of its history, the (hopefully) catchy instrumental riffs, lyrical themes and voice delivery makes it such a special track to me.
Will: It’s definitely taken on a new meaning. The track as it was first born by Alex, the track as it arrived when I first heard it, the track as it bounced back and forth between us and the song that it ended up being…each new version took on a new life. Then as countries, airwaves and indie charts found it, it kind of re-told us what we were doing. Sure, it was made and created for the thrill of just making and creating, but suddenly we had this momentum; a swift kick in the backside proverbial. It’s fair to say we are pretty excited. We would have carried on without that blast, but affirmation is a powerful thing.
Your latest single ‘Back and Down Again’ is another sonic wonder that I’ve fallen pretty hard for! Do you remember the creative process that brought you to the final product?
Will: This was the first song we wrote together. And the whole thing flowed so easily it’s untrue. Alex had this idea that had been gestating and maturing for years across loops, synths, bunkers and bedrooms, and when it landed with me we both ran with it. Being the first time we worked together I had nothing to lose so I kinda threw the kitchen sink at it. Luckily Alex liked what I did (I hope), then we tweaked, and we took turns rearranging, freely adding to each other’s work. The collaborative process was born. And thank you for falling for the track!
Alex: Long gestation indeed! A loop lifted off one of my oldest tapes (hence that ghostly, ethereal, scratchy sound in the background) – it was actually just a break in one of the old compositions. Then slowed down and with tracker music like decimated synth and drum samples plus real electric guitar…but, as usual, the voice elevated this strange concoction to the stratosphere!
There’s no doubt that your music will likely appeal to fans of acts like The Cure, Roxy Music, and Depeche Mode. Have those bands been inspirational to you? Who are you influenced by?
Alex: I’ve been listening to those bands from an early age, inevitably their influence must have seeped through in my music. Although I started really appreciating them a bit later, as a teenager, especially Depeche Mode. I’ve also been fascinated with instrumental electronic music – the likes of Jean Michel Jarre, Vangelis, and Kraftwerk. Or more prog rock – Genesis, Pink Floyd, Mike Oldfield. Then there are conceptual artists like Brian Eno, and minimalists like Philip Glass, and Steve Reich.
Will: Oh, all the above. With added CBGBs New York glam and punk, huge slabs of 50’s rock n roll and rockabilly, 60s US and UK garage fuzz and that Detroit MC5/Stooges anger. Throw in some old rave and trance and we got us a veritable cocktail.
I’m sure that’s where we complement each other most. Alex has a love of the methodical, the maths of music, the experimental and exploration and he has this technical craftsmanship that far outshines mine. And I have this love for the power and energy of emotion, good and bad, the ebb and flow of a sound. But these things don’t contradict, they overlap. No matter which one of us brings the music to the other, every time we just hit on this sweet spot.
What song do you each love that you wish you’d written?
Alex: Hmm, not a song per se, but the ‘Tubular Bells’ album. When I was a teenager, I was naive enough to think that I could probably do something like that someday. I still can’t, haha!
Will: Ha! Every song I love by someone else. Though their versions will always be better! Underworld’s ‘Dirty Epic’, Elvis’ ‘In the Ghetto’, The Cramps’ ‘I Wanna Get in Your Pants’ and maybe ‘Penetration’ by The Stooges. Oh, and ‘It’s Raining Today’. It’s just Scott Walker being the best of Scott Walker.
Which of your lyrics would you like to see printed on a T-shirt?
Alex:
(Thank you Will for those amazing lyrics, by the way!)
“Tend to every thread,
Let nothing go unfound,
Preserve each scene in amber,
Be collectors of ourselves”.
Will: Alex, well thank you for your music, and for allowing me to so regularly butcher it.
How about a sound wave of the track on the front in black and white and on the back, somewhere small, just the song title ‘Back and Down Again’?
Einstein famously said, “If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician.” If you were not musicians, what would you be?
Alex: I was just telling Will the other day that I’d like to be a problem solver of some kind. I’d do some problem-creating on the side, just to be sure there is a big enough market!
Will: Ooooh nice answer. The meddler and the fixer all in one huh? Can I take control of the meddling?
It was pretty late in life I realized the moon was out of reach so anything that would get me in space. And I still dream of commanding a starship. I’d like to get there before my atoms and ashes do.
I have no doubt that there are many more songs up your sleeve, and I truly can’t wait to hear what else you have in store! But in a broader sense, what do you hope for in your musical future?
Alex: The dream would be to complete the album that we’re working on, hoping that enough people will listen to the music and be intrigued, slowly building our (niche) audience. One dream has been realized though, that is to be played on national radio (we were luckily showcased with ‘Colour Running Away’ on Classic 21 here in Belgium)!
Will: Oh there are SO many songs in the works. There’s an EP set – ready to go, and another 10-15 songs in a semi-finished state. We make at such a rate (and I get so damn impatient) that I keep finding ideas of Alex’s to play with and keep firing all new tracks his way. The poor man doesn’t get a chance to rest up with my “excita-puppy” scattergun music offerings. Alex, I promise to let you sleep one day but this is all just too damn exciting.
So there’s the EP that’s ready, an album in waiting, remixes already made and on the way, and probably a B-Side collection as we love that old vinyl/cassette single tradition.
Live gigs sometime next year. We met for the first time and played together for the first time this week, which seems crazy after two years of making music together. See if we can replicate the songs live. Then to keep growing the family that seems to naturally have grown up around us. Thomas Wagner, who makes videos out of nothing but enjoyment for the songs. CJC promotions who clicked with us so easily (Catherine, thank you for being just spectacular). Artists who have spent time remixing…the collaboration of two keeps expanding with this whirling dervish twosome at the core and everything gets all the richer for it.
