Simon Vuarambon is well known throughout the deep and melodic scene as a producer with immense quality. His work on All Day I Dream, Souksonic, and Shanti Radio Moscow over the years has positioned Simon at the forefront of bespoke sound with no signs of slowing down. Next on the docket, the Swiss artist connects with Gorje Hewek’s new label Peace Symphonies for a blissful single – Lazos.
Crisp drums and rhythmic percussions launch us into the groove, as warm melodies flutter around piano chords. Stirring emotions are at the fore, as elongated strings lead into a perfectly punchy bassline. It’s a tune built for both minds and feet, with dance-a-ability ever-present amongst the soaring cinematic backbone.
To celebrate the release, we caught up with Simon and Gorje to talk about how the lovely project came together.
WWD: Simon, thanks for joining us! We’re absolutely loving Lazos – a tune that feels built for the summer reemergence 🙂
Simon – Hello guys, many thanks for having me here and for your support & kind words about the track. Yes! It feels like a good time to release it now in between seasons.
WWD: How have you been spending the last crazy year – have you been in Argentina?
Simon – Yes I’ve been living in Argentina and spent all the lockdowns here.
It’s been a difficult year for everyone but from a personal point of view. I feel like the fact that it’s not really possible to plan ahead these days, it forced us to live each day more present, which is something i hope to learn from and keep on doing in the future.
WWD: What first brought you to Argentina? Quite a far move from Switzerland!
Simon – Well actually I was very young, so it was my family that decided to move to Argentina! Basically for a radical change of lifestyle. My grandparents were the first ones that came and my father spent his childhood in Argentina too so when they decided to move, Argentina was a familiar place to come back.
WWD: Argentina seems to be developing into an incredible hub for melodic dance music, with the likes of Maxi Degrassi, Facundo Mohrr, and Alejandro Mosso carrying the torch. Tell us a bit about the local scene, and how its fostering such amazing music.
Simon – The scene here is constantly growing and evolving, this melodic sound that you mention is basically something that i think comes culturally because people here are usually very emotional, passionate and also like to have a good time, and this translates to their love for music.
Also Hernan Cattaneo has been at the head of the melodic sound for many years and very supportive to the local producers, so this pushes the scene forward a lot.
WWD : Onto the new music – you have just finished an impressive degree, which seems to have influenced the cinematic nature of Lazos. Can you tell us about your studies in film scoring?
Simon – Yes! It was actually a great experience, the degree was 5 years long, and it focused on traditional composition mainly on piano, arranging for other ensembles, also counterpoint, harmony, history, etc. It was really great to do it, i made a lot of friends that are great musicians, and at the same time it was hard to balance between playing gigs & producing music, which i was doing for quite some time before starting the degree. I’m grateful to my parents to have pushed me, cause at times it was difficult, but at the end I finished and feel very grateful about it.
WWD: We hear that Lazos signifies bonds & relationships. How have you had to adjust and adapt your personal friendships due to the separation prompted through the pandemic? How does lazos speak to that idea?
Simon – Lazos is the first track I made after finishing university. After 5 years it felt emotional, and also kind of closing a cycle in my life, this was already a mix of emotions, but then the pandemic started, lockdowns basically ended the direct relationship between people or the social aspect of it. This track speaks a bit about the feeling of being away from people, but with a positive and hopeful feeling to connect with them again.
WWD: Gorje, thank you as well for joining us! We’re so impressed with the new album – an amazing project. When did you first connect with Simon and his music?
Gorje Hewek – Pleased to join! And thank you for the kind words about my album, glad you like it.
About 4-5 years ago Simon sent me a message and shared his tracks called “Siberian” and “Ethiopian”. I was really impressed and invited him to release it with Shanti Moscow Radio, my first label.We’ve met personally several times in Buenos Aires when I came there on tour.
WWD: What stands out about Lazos to you as a label head that made it a ‘signer’?
Gorje Hewek – This is primarily a timeless track. I’ve actually listened to it so many times and I’m sure it will sound intriguing as well in a few years. A very strong, complete and emotionally well balanced track. This is a part of Peace Symphonies philosophy.
WWD: What led you to start the new label, Peace Symphonies, and what is the creative direction behind the new project?
Gorje Hewek – The first grains appeared a couple of years ago. A lot of fresh ideas, moods and emotions became the basis for this. And, probably, emotions are the main aspect here. Comparing to Shanti Moscow Radio, where spirituality and tranquility are at the forefront. Peace Symphonies lives in the present, surrendering to pulse of time in a peaceful way.
WWD: You are at the forefront of a truly incredible Russian deep house scene, including the likes of Makebo, Volen Sentir, Amonita, and M.O.S. How important is sharing creativity, drive, and innovation in the studio with such close compatriots?
Gorje Hewek – I believe the ability to share experiences and vision as well as be able to listen and appreciate the talents of others is an important part of any creative process, and the main driver for moving forward. In addition to my many solo projects, I really appreciate the time and opportunity to collaborate with talented artists, among whom is definitely Simon.
WWD: Are there any more plans in the works to connect Simon and Peace Symphonies in the future?
Gorje Hewek – Like all fans of his music, I would like to hear Simon’s more often and hope we’ll work together again soon.
WWD: Simon, you played the piano yourself of Lazos, which is sounding amazing. How do you balance live instrumental recordings with sampling in your work?
Simon – During the pandemic I’ve spent a lot of time learning and playing jazz on the piano since there was not a club vibe near, so when i did the track it felt natural to just add a piano. I usually just press record and jam, then when something interesting comes up I use it. I tend to do that with all the sounds, same goes for the strings or bassline on this track, the little variations are basically a consequence of jamming and recording that.
WWD: Have you made any plans for this summer as things potentially open up a bit? What destinations are first on your list of travels?
Simon – Just before the pandemic started I had plans to come back to Canada – I had a great time there last summer, touring also the US and Brazil, so hopefully when everything is a bit more certain I will be able to do it.
WWD: We’d love to have you back in Canada! Are there any exciting musical projects in the works that you can tease to us?
Simon – A track in collaboration with Lost Desert & Hermanez will be out closer to the summer, plus also been working on lots of original music to have something special to play when i get the chance to!
WWD: Lastly, what music has been a constant in your headphones over the last several months? Who’s a new artist that fans of yours should listen to this week?
Simon – I listened a lot of Jazz during the pandemic, and usually that’s what i tend to listen when i’m not in a club mood. Keith Jarrett, Brad Mehldau, Pat Metheny. Also film scores from Ryuichi Sakamoto, Michael Giacchino, Alexander Desplat, among others.
I really like the idea of improvisation and this is something that more and more comes up when i’m creating as well, which leads to use less the mind and get more surprised with happy accidents when creating.
There’s lots of great artists but if i had to choose one now, I would recommend Joram Feitsma who just released a great new album.
WWD: Simon & Gorje, many thanks for joining us today! Lazos is a delight, and we cannot wait to hear it out this summer on a proper dancefloor.
Simon – Thank you for having us! All the best to everyone out there :))
Stream & download Lazos – https://smarturl.it/Lazos
“Peace begins with a smile …” Mother Teresa
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