Simon Collins - Becoming Human (2020) [Hi-Res]

Simon Collins returns with his fourth solo album, “Becoming Human”, an album where he takes the musical inspiration of his previous band Sound of Contact and creates a strong and exciting mixture of rock, pop, prog, electronica, and dare we say, a hint of industrial. Simon has managed to master the sound of prog that the fans love so much, but keep it original sounding as well.

Collins paints with a range of emotional colors on Becoming Human. "I'm proud of these new songs," says Simon. "They reflect the person I am, the person I’m becoming, the person I'm striving to be. Writing songs on ”becoming," not just “being” is a powerful tool, it’s about evolving in time and space. The music is generous, intimate, openhearted. There's a lot of me living in these songs. They're deeply personal for me or anyone listening that has been through those experiences of fear, love and hope. The joy of freedom, of acceptance and forgivingness. Of figuring out who I am or anyone is, and how we relate to the world. What is really going on? What is the truth behind the truth?"

"Maturing as an artist and human being has enabled me to find my own voice and confident musical direction no matter what people say," explains Simon. Growing up on tour around being his Genesis, Simon naturally gravitated towards the drums as a child. "It's part of my musical DNA," he explains. As a teenager, he also became proficient on the guitar and the piano, which is how he usually writes. As children of famous parents often do, Collins has grappled with core questions about the meaning of success and failure. It also took years for Simon to create his own identity through his music, and he now looks out onto a wide scope of opportunity he has created for himself through much hard work and dedication.

Of the album, Simon says, "This body of work reflects a deep, wild existential journey and sonic evolution. The soundscape explores a progressive fusion of electronic and rock Influences, a cross-pollination of genres melding space atmospheres and ambient moods with progressive pop song craft, creating a futuristic progressive sounding album."

Produced, Mixed and Mastered by Robbie Bronnimann, and Co-Produced by Collins, he says of the album, "the record reflects a deep, wild existential journey and sonic evolution. The soundscape explores a progressive fusion of electronic and rock Influences, a cross-pollination of genres melding space atmospheres and ambient moods with progressive pop song craft, creating a futuristic progressive sounding album."

Guest musicians on the album include original Sound Of Contact guitarist Kelly Avril Nordstrom, the outstanding bass player Gaz Williams, and lastly guitarist Robin Boult. Robbie Bronnimann also brought his bespoke keyboard and sound design to the mix. Collins plays keyboards also, along with drums and of course, all vocals.

"Robbie and I collaborated on many of the songs, the album also features co-writes with Dave Kerzner and Kelly Avril Nordstrom on songs I initially brought to the mountain of material earmarked for the second "Sound of Contact" album," adds Simon.

"Becoming Human" is Simon's fourth solo release, following his debut "All of Who You Are" (2000), sophomore effort "Time For Truth" (2005), and his third album "U-Catastrophe" (2008). In 2010, Collins co-founded the critically acclaimed band Sound of Contact. Featuring Simon on lead vocals and drums, the rest of the band included keyboardist/co-producer Dave Kerzner, guitarist/bassist Kelly Nordstrom, and bassist/guitarist Matt Dorsey. The band received the Limelight Award (essentially "Best New Band") at the Progressive Music Awards in 2013. Their debut album, "Dimensionaut" ended up being the fastest selling debut album by any band in the 20 year history of Inside Out Music.

Simon Collins, vocals, drums, keyboards
Robbie Bronnimann, keyboards, programming, sound design
Gaz Williams, bass
Kelly Avril Nordstrom, electric & acoustic guitars
Robin Boult, electric & acoustic guitars