Electronic musician and producer Simeon Soden, working as ako, takes the ground breaking 80s minimal wave and infuses their expansive, synthetic soundscapes with the groove of contemporary EDM. The awkward beats and tension of witch house are also a recurring theme, as are techno and IDM. Avoiding the usual clichés of dance and creating something new and thought provoking that explores complex rhythms and minimalism. Ako performs regularly (including a recent session on BBC Introducing, Evolution Festival and NARC. Fest), exploring links between musical and visual rhythms using projections, VHS footage and material made with a modified SNES. His music has also been broadcast on BBC Introducing and Amazing Radio.

Key influences include Com Truise, Salem, Clams Casino, Crystal Castles, New Order, Martin Dupont, Aphex Twin as well as vintage and analogue hardware that is part of ako’s unique sound.

Simeon studied Music Technology at Birmingham City University and a Masters in Music at Newcastle University.

Press:

“…a talent already attracting significant attention across the region and beyond. His dark and immersive take on house and IDM is foreboding but also curiously beautiful – think a cleaned up version of Salem, or Boards of Canada if they went over to the dark side.” NARC. 2015

“Every individual part of these tunes is stitched together in such a way that makes your skin crawl, your body shiver and twitch unconsciously, and your mind feel like its been transported to some sort of eschatological end-of-the-world style ritual.” Matthew Scott, OneHour OneDj 2015

“Soden’s love of more niche electronic genres like IDM and Witchouse come through – harsh, poking synth arpeggios and minimalist, offbeat thumps of drum noise crash through the ambient sheen, as he twists knobs and flicks modulation wheels on his setup. It’s just as intriguing to watch him performing as it is to listen to the ever-changing sounds” Nad Khan, NE:MM

“if you’ve got any interest in electronic music of a more challenging nature, then let him challenge you, pronto.” R. Meddes, The Crack 2014

Contact:

simeonsoden@aol.com