Getting To Know... Seraphina Simone

Following on from previous releases ‘Cherry <3’ and ‘Holywood $$$’, which both received write ups in Gal-dem Magazine, Idolator, The Rodeo, CLOUT, It’s All Indie, Audiofemme, and Tongue Tied Magazine, emerging artist Seraphina Simone returns once again to unveil her latest single ‘O M D’.

Following that same distinct mix of dark and pulsing production with her own light and lofty vocals, 'O M D' makes for a wonderfully euphoric release. Cementing her as a bright and soaring artist on the new music landscape, this new delight sees her follow in the footsteps of BANKS, Lorde, and Bat For Lashes with its dense and powerful sound.

So with the new single available now, we sat down with her to find out more about her background and what has inspired her most over the years.

-

What was the first instrument you fell in love with?

Piano.

What has been the most prominent inspiration behind your music so far?

I got given a Yamaha synth for christmas a couple years ago and it transformed the way I produce. Something just clicked into place, like I'd been trying to figure out my sound before that and experimenting with guitar-based stuff but my guitar-playing sucks, and piano-and-voice was too singer-songwriter-y. Then I started songwriting on the synth and it was like I'M HOME: the combination of growing up playing keys and my love for all things 80s and kitsch solidified in this beautiful instrument. Now I just drool when I come across any synth and have to restrain myself from blowing all my money on analogue-model plugins. I mean I just bought the TAL U NO LX yesterday which is modelled on the Juno 60 so my willpower obviously sucks.

What kind of music did you love as a teenager?

Indie. Guitar-heavy sweaty intimate gigs in grungy venues that smell of beer and piss type of thing. I still prefer smaller gigs to the big shiny pyrotechnic arena ones. I've never been to the O2 or Wembley.

What inspires you to make music?

If I didn't I'd be a shell of a person.

Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?

Sharon Van Etten's last album has been on repeat since it came out. WENS. Hatchie. Haim. Troye Sivan. MUNA. Rina Sawayama. The Neighbourhood. Perfume Genius. ABRA. The new Fleet Foxes and Sylvan Esso albums are lush.

How many of your songs have you written about people in your life?

Hahahahahaha it used to be ALL OF THEM and only when I was sad but I've gotten better at being able to write about non literal scenarios. Now probably about 70% are written from threads of people I know or have met, but how much of it is literal varies from song to song.

What has been the most unusual moment in your career so far?

An existential global pandemic!

If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?

Probably Bat for Lashes, Anna Calvi, Nakhane or Alex Cameron because their live shows are all such an epic vibe.

If you weren’t a musician, what other path do you think you might have taken?

An unhappy one. I'd probably have a shopping addiction and a questionable coke habit.

And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?

Jimmy Lovine said something about not comparing your progress to other people, because no one is running the same race. The only person you can compete against is yourself, because no one else on the planet has had the exact set of circumstances that have got you to the present moment. Also don't be a dick.

-

Seraphina Simone's new single 'O M D' is available to stream and download now. Have a listen to it in the player below.