Jillie Simon: vocals
Thomas Simon: guitars, keys, sampling, vocals
Keith Golden: bass
Alex Alexander: drums
samples consist of field recordings of street and temple musicians gathered worldwide as part of T.S.'s Walkabout sessions, featuring:
Pura Desa, Ubud, Indonesia; Pelo Cover, Salvador, Brazil; Ishwar Lal Mishra, Varanasi, India; among others...
recorded at Hoboken Recorders, NJ, and at the Transformer Room, NYC
mixed by Alex Alexander and Thomas Simon
mastered at The Vault Mastering, NYC
produced by Thomas Simon
FOR MORE MUSIC
(including msf's version of 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' as heard on FM4, alternative radio, Vienna, Austria) click below
Influences
Thievery Corporation, All India Radio, Brian Eno, Chris Whitley, Peter Gabriel, David Bowie, Kurt Cobain, Peter Tosh, PJ Harvey, Ry Cooder, Kate Bush, Iggy Pop, Psychedelic Furs, Keith Richards, Gilberto Gil, Ali Farka Toure, Tinariwein, Habib Koite, experiencing and sharing music with musicians in Brazil (Pelo Cover, Timbalada, Cortejo Afro, etc), India (Ishwar Lal Mishra, Sunanda Patnaik, Kedia Bro's), Nepal (Sukarma), Indonesia (Ubud Temple Players); playing & sharing music in Israel and Egypt...
below: TSMSF video BLOG tour Romania, 2007:
below: Thomas Simon WalkAbout, (5 part) docu-musical travelogue. Selected to 5 international film festivals in N.America. - catch the rest on myspace.com/thomasfilmscore part TWO (Salvador, Brazil):
I edited my profile with Thomas Myspace Editor V4.4 (www.strikefile.com/myspace)
Here are the first commercial and college/community radio stations playing cuts off 'Picture This':
"Picture" (track 2), the legalization anthem, is receiving airplay on UIC-radio, Hemp Rock Radio, Stone Zone Show. It is also slated to be on the soundtrack for the upcoming documentary "RX: Cannabis: A Freedom Tale", which is still in production. MSF's version of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (track 7) is receiving commercial airplay in Europe, FM4, Austria, "Ex-Insane" (track 3) has begun receiving airplay at UIC-radio (USA) and is MSF's first music video off the album and "Young Gods" has begun receiving airplay at WRUW (USA). The cd is available here, CDBaby and ITunes.
..
'picture this' on the radio:
FM4:
http://fm4.orf.at/radio/stories/1602247
UIC-radio:
http://www.myspace.com/rose60612
WRUW:
http://www.wruw.org/guide/playlists.php?show_id=322&playlist_id=14246
Hemp Rock Radio:
http://www.hemprock.com/
Feel free to call and request MSF!
"Ex - Insane", the first music video of MSF's new release 'picture this', is now up! check it out and give us some love and feedback.
below: MSF 'Ex-Insane' :: music video :: 2009 ::
Thanks to everyone who came out to our release party! And many thanks to Jeremy Kagan (New York Underbelly) and Crash Mansion.
Thomas has been reaching out worldwide (Thomas Simon Walkabout), recording with local musicians in Indonesia, Brazil, India, Middle East, etc. and utilizing all the tracks, turning those into rhythm/sound samples and fusing it with his take of alternative rock & xtc to create together with partner Jillie Simon the blend of MUSICIENS SANS FRONTIÉRES::Alternative::Rock::World::Pop::
The powerful rhythm section of Alex Alexander on drums and Keith Golden on bass (last touring and recording with Dido) completes the sound w/ infectiously danceable grooves.
The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences Committee placed Thomas
Simon Musiciens Sans Frontieres on the Official Ballot for the 2008 Grammy Awards in
the following categories:
Category 1 - Record of the Year
Thomas Simon Musiciens Sans Frontieres - Affection
Category 7 - Best Pop Performance By A Duo or Group with Vocal
Thomas Simon Musiciens Sans Frontieres - Affection
MUSICIENS SANS FRONTIÉRES are working on shedding geographical and musical boundaries.
"Remember Me" off "Satellite" was written in memory of Marla Ruzicka, an American activist, who worked in Iraq and Afghanistan to raise awareness and money for the victims of U.S. bombing raids, rallying in Washington numerous times, before being killed in Bagdad in 2005 at age 28.
peace in the universe -
Jillie, Thomas, Alex and Keith::MSF
--ZIARUL Clujeanului, Transilvania, Romania, - May 17th, 2007:
An alternative to Bregovic
... The band’s powerful recital started around 10pm and it lasted until midnight when the audience called them back on stage for an encore. For the audience this was an opportunity to sense the difference between Romanian and American bands and Thomas Simon’s sound was exceptional. Stage presence was also at the highest level..."
--Sound Monitor, Australia: ...an unusual mix of Dead Can Dance tribalism, Nine Inch Nails darkness, Moby funk...indie and Ennio Morricone squalls.
--B24FUN Bucharest, Romania, - May 25th, 2007
How globalization can be anti-globalist
-Thomas Simon - producer, film maker, musician and composer – toured the U.S., Canada, (and beyond)... and here he is now with his “Thomas Simon Musiciens sans Frontieres” formula playing in the Bucharest club Utopia... the band is a great indie rock traveller. On stage, Jillie Simon is the feminine voice that counterbalances Thomas Simon’s... She is always almost painfully sensual and most of the reviews describe her as being “the light in the dark atmosphere” of the band’s music. She has a delicate voice that seems to penetrate dramatically... The band is more than just a geographical wanderer, they also stroll through different musical territories – critics mention the Dead Can Dance tribalism, the Nine Inch Nails twilight, Moby’s funk, etc....This means that, as their French name discloses, they are diligently tearing down frontiers; only that which they globalize is not commercial waste. ....
--Willamette Week Online, Portland, Oregon, - Dec. 26th, 2007: Thomas Simon - Musiciens Sans Frontieres...
Pretty easy to imagine Musiciens Sans Frontieres as an actual offshoot of Doctors without Borders, with band members parachuting into war zones... Art should...inspire.
--ISCHLER WOCHE, St.Wolfgang, Austria - May 18th, 2006
GOTH & GRUNGE AT THE GRABOVSKI
... The Vienna born New York Multi Media Artist has reached a lot of acclaim with his experimental progressive fusing of Goth and Grunge. By creating a sensitive web of space and rhythm, Simon leads his listeners, with a noir-ish style, through the myriad of his musical works.
--MONITORUL DE CLUJ, Transilvania, Romania, - May 15th, 2007:
MUSIC WITHOUT FRONTIERS
.... The Thomas Simon MSF concert marks the first event by a New York cult band in Romania, bringing with it something of the old CBGB spirit, a New York club famous around the world.
... the “feel” of the place is being kept alive by the music of those who performed there, from the Ramones to Lou Reed, Patti Smith, Television, Blondie, Talking Heads, Sonic Youth or Thomas Simon.
--ZIARUL Clujeanului, Transilvania, Romania, - May 15th, 2007:
Frontiers Are Falling Down!
"Their music is very energetic and diverse, and also very interesting because of the singer’s cool stage presence.
- Andras Kovacs from KUMM on Musiciens sans Frontieres
A BIT OF BACKGROUND...
Musiciens Sans Frontieres was born in the fall of 2005 and is co-fronted by composer-musician-producer-filmmaker Thomas Simon and singer-songwriter-actress Jillie Simon. The NYC-based duo had previously cofounded the band LOVE ALIEN, which toured Europe, the Middle East, Canada and the U.S.
As Greg Correo wrote - " Love Alien's resident goth/goddess (Jillie Simon) has been garnering rave reviews ( and probably more than her share of stalkers) as front-person for this busy NYC combo. The band itself musically quotes everyone from Echo & the Bunnymen to Love & Rockets, filtering it all through a Bauhausian psychedelic vibe. The electric buzz of the band's sound, combined with (Jillie's) cooing, forms a spiraling blend of solid...musical ideas. (Jillie's) voice would sound right at home at the bottom of some trip-hop groove or even (if produced properly) in the Top 40 dance-pop arena. Together, these two disparate elements - band and vocalist - combine to create a sound all their own; call it trip -grunge or maybe, grunge-hop. Whatever the label... if this wiry ensemble can capitalize on their own strengths, they might just escape the gravitational pull of New York's dark underbelly and explode into the limelight." -
- CMJ New Music Report.
- Martin Johnson wrote
"LOVE THAT FUSION: Their band is like a fusion of Screaming Trees and Sophie B Hawkins. They have a slightly grungy psychedelic sound, and Jill has a sensuous stage presence and breathy vocals that seem to owe a bit to performance art. It's an intriguing and original sound that is often riveting." - NY NEWSDAY
"They sound exactly how the gritty grinding city should sound: dark and loud, like a delicate midnight train wreck. - their songs are pushed together by trademark nasty, detuned guitar lines and Austrian singer Thomas Simon's gravelly baritone voice. Bassist Francios Gehin slaps down the song's framework with thick force, as drummer Lior Shulman sparks the music up with his bright notes and amazing chops. The band's secret weapon is exotic vocalist Jill (Simon) who spins together a chanteuse style of glimmer and fury and commands a stage presence of erotic force. ...Come see the excitement first hand. But be prepared to melt under the white light of (Jill's) voice and the blistering noise of Simon and the rest..." - Infinity Press
- and from Network of the World (NOW) UK - “one of the most promising up & comers in the N.Y. scene”
Rotating members of their bands have included: Alan Gevaert (Chris Whitley, dEUS); Brian Hardgroove (Public Enemy, Chuck D); Alex Alexander (Dido, Youssou N'Dour); Lior Shulman (Sheva); Amos Friedman (various artists); Les Warner (The Cult), Tony Bridges (Buddy Miles, Deodato); Tada Hirano (Blonde Redhead); Dave Eggar (Evanescence, Flux Quartet); Johnny Pisano (Ryan Adams, Marky Ramone);
- - Legends Magazine review of "In The Waves" by LOVE ALIEN "...a tasty mix of fuzzy, funky, jammy and grungy guitars and Jill's pure angelic voice... The music on the album is so good and Jill's voice is so pretty I had no choice but like it and listen again and again and again. If you need a positive and soulful change of pace, from your hard rock or hip- hop...give Love Alien a listen...mixes well with mellow grunge, Neil Young, Kate Bush, Phish and Tori Amos" - Dan Century
full review at: http://www.legendsmagazine.net/146/loveal.htm
Radiopositive/Positive Music Radio - " positive–conscious music with a message of unity and the power within each of us to achieve our highest potential", (currently featuring “Shine” and “Galaxies” from "In The Waves" -LOVE ALIEN )
- is now at the URL www.ncreview.com ( new consciousness review )
SOME MORE...
Thomas has composed music for a "Sesame Street" short (PBS) as well as for feature films in the thriller genre - "Black Wine" , which was in several film festivals, and "Sanctified" which will be released in 2008. He's also fused extensive tribal jams with big rock beats, occasional vocals and dashes of industrialized rhythms, on his Thomas Simon WalkAbout world experience.
To hear songs off soundtracks, go to myspace.com/ThomasFilmScore
Jillie played one of the principals in feature film "You Have the Right to Remain Violent", working with the multiple award-winning director Roberto Monticello throughout July. The film will be out in 2009. Other acting work includes a lead role in 6x Emmy Award-winning writer-director William Electric Blacks's "Copy Shop" ( black comedy, not yet released), a role in "Confess" (starring Eugene Byrd & Ali Larter), a recurring role on "As The World Turns", and work Off-Broadway (at the NY Public Theater, Variety Arts Theater, etc.) - For more info go to myspace.com/jilliesimon
La Folie are having a launch party on the 8th of June at The Forum in Sheffield! £2 advance tickets/£3 on the door! Plus the added bonus of if you film some stuff from the night of us, you or anything else connected and send it us, we will send you a free copy of 'Risus Sardonicus'
Hi MUSICIENS SANS FRONTIÉRES ... inviting you to watch our new Shaman Strings video. Tell us (comment) what you think about our new music. Soul Peace to all on the path ;= )
PS just uploaded "Perfect Lessons" 5 min. Video keywords: experience, knowledge, pain, wisdom, consciousness, LIFE Youtube user ShamanStrings (can see in High Res / HD )
Hi MUSICIENS SANS FRONTIÉRES ... inviting you to watch our new Shaman Strings video or listen to new tracks. Please let us know (comment) what you think about our new music. Soul Peace to all on the path ;= )
PS just uploaded "Drink from the Cup (of Life)" Video... Note:... to stop future activitiesfrom Shaman Strings, please remove us as F.
Thank you for connecting! If you're interested, I'm offering one free original MP3 download to my new MySpace friends, just go to my profile and let me know the name of which track would you like to get and I'll tell you where to download it for free.
Thanks for the add! Good to have you as a friend! So great to see the internet in action this way, shortening distances between people. :) I hope all's well with you and that you enjoy checking out my web site at www.faberoptime.com some time. For occasional, new, refreshing, insightful and (possibly?!) valuable content, I encourage you to sign up for my free newsfeed/email newsletter (using the form on site at page right - high quality, low quantity, no spam!). Oh and you might like to take a look at some of my vids on my YouTube channel too! www.youtube.com/faberoptime Take care and keep in touch. Best, Faber. "Just a guy trying to make the world a better place."
YES, dancing IS allowed!!! NO sitting down - at least not for the concert! That's pretty illegal, even for us. KRAKOW, POLAND, POD BARANAMI, MAY 21st, from 9 pm. See you there!!! Greetings from ALENS!!!
Hello Musiciens Sans Frontiéres. I'm glad you enjoyed my music. Thanks for getting in touch. Your support is highly appreciated. Big ups for caring about the world we are sharing! All the best to you. Warm greetings, Jane Maluka
PEACE THE WORLD - Jane Maluka www.janemaluka.com matters of the hearat 4 peace human rights healing
ONE LOVE - YOUR SONG CHILD PROJECT Support global efforts for LOVE * PEACE * HUMAN RIGHTS * HEALING ADD BANNER: GET Code in my profile to copy/paste THANK YOU! PLEASE VISIT: www.janemaluka.com/YourSongChild_storytellers.html