Simon & the Bande à Part

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Published on Monday, 11 May 2015 16:06

Simon van Gend the singer, acoustic guitarist and songwriter comes from South Africa and together with Eric Michot on bass and Ross Campbell on drums they form the band Simon & the Band à Part.

Simon has a degree in microbiology, doesn't do religion, but talks about the i ching with a certain amount of enthusiasm. A typesetter by day and songwriter between 3 and 4am, Simon likes to get to the bottom of the things that keep him awake at night.

Eric is a French pastry chef for a top notch hotel out Betty's Bay way and makes the best croissants. No one in the audience understands the things he says, but it doesn't seem to matter. He is an optimist and a bit of a charmer.
Ross is a cynic and father of two. He runs a small record company which doesn't sell very many beautifully obscure albums. He's also played drums for Benguela, Fetish, Urban Creep, Landscape Prayers and even Celtic Rumours back in the 80's.

The most common comparisons offered in amongst the crowds following a Simon van Gend gig seem to be some vague vocal reference to Cat Stevens. The music does evoke a similar sense of nostalgia; the introspective lyrics and melancholic indie folk-rock leanings from the acoustic guitar of this singer-songwriter do strike a chord not far from the same heart, but this band is from South Africa. The words are from these shores.

The band has finished recording their 4th album, this time with the backing of the Dubai-based Jump Media, due to be released internationally in the second half of 2011. The album was produced by acclaimed Australian producer Ian Pritchett, famed for his work with Angus & Julia Stone and The Beautiful Girls. 

So don’t miss to check out this impressive, unique and authentic bunch of musicians!