SEIMS Announce New Album ‘V’
Australian experimental rock project SEIMS will release ‘V’ this October, anew full-length album featuring their signature blend of complex rhythm, memorable melodicism and sonic exploration.
The brainchild of multi-instrumentalist Simeon Bartholomew, SEIMS has evolved into an explorational and formidable band over the course ofseveral records, including their most recent release ‘FOUR’ which saw them pick up a sizeable underground audience and launched them on tours around the world, including performances at ArcTanGent (UK),Dunk! Festival (Belgium) and supports for And So I Watch You FromAfar (Northern Ireland), sleepmakeswaves (Australia) & DeltaSleep (UK).
The new record ‘V’ expanded on themes explored on ‘FOUR’ with exquisitely crafted arrangements of tracks ranging from complex odd-meter timing to standard rhythmic feels. “Preoccupations” picks up where “Showdown Without A Victim” left off, evoking 65daysofstatic’s ‘Wild Light’ era mixed with Stranger Things. “Chaos Within A Construct” continues a similar vein, infused with the relentless energy of contemporaries like And So I Watch You From Afar, but blended with the clean tones and beguiling precision of a mid-west emo math rock band (or Delta Sleep, if you’re more that way inclined). But then you have tracks like the Rush-meets-Oasis-with-a-hint-of-Moby melodicpop-prog of “Forever The Optimist” which maintains SEIMS unique ability to straddle parallel universes. It’s the perfection of the experimental side that is most appealing with SEIMS. These are sonic explorations, but conducted with compositional mastery by monster players and performers.
The album was written & produced by Simeon Bartholomew himself, engineered by Tim Carr (We Lost The Sea), mixed by Alex Wilson(sleepmakeswaves) & mastered by Jeff Lipton and Maria Rice at Peerless Mastering, Boston. As well as Simeon performing bass, guitars, synths, piano & vocals himself, it also features blistering performances from Plini drummer Chris Allison, Sam Sheumack (Fangz) on slide guitar, Mark Owen (We Lost The Sea) on guitar, Nataliya Lukich on violins, Monique Turner on violas, Tangents/FourPlay member Peter Hollo on cellos, Tom Botting(Scoredatura) on double basses, Paul Murchison on trumpet & flugelhorn & Luke Bartley on tuba and sousaphone.
For the release of ‘V’ SEIMS have again partnered with Australian label Bird’s Robe and European vinyl label Dunk Records.
Simeon says:
The only true thing I care about in the world is growth. If we’re not trying, we may as well not be trying at all. SEIMS has always had this at the core - try and do something I can’t. Play drums. Play piano. Mix an album. Sing lead vocals. Arrange an entire orchestra. Cross-pollinate as many genres as possible. Write a concept album. Play something in 14/8 but make it groove as if it were 4/4. Try tobe a better musician. Try to be a better composer. Try to creatively push myself, and my skill set, with every release. Try to make the uncomfortable, comfortable.
And now being a father to a gorgeous, independent, witty joker - “trying” has so many new meanings. It’s about being able to be on the same plane as someone who has literally only experienced this planet for a mere four years. It’s also about dealing with your own inner demons in a mature manner - trying to role model not just who you are, but helping your child see who they could be.
Flowing Upstream is exactly this. Getting thrown into the deepend of the worst, and trying to embrace it - ending up somewhere new. Abandonment is Expected is all about dealing with the unintentional abandonment of thought from a child - constantly having the stream of consciousness change right before your eyes - and trying to make sense of the why. My Memories Retain Nothing is all about trying to undo the faults of our parents and grandparents. And Forever the Optimist - well, it’s all in the name, isn't it?
Director of Bird’s Robe Records Mike Solo says:
We’ve been sitting on this for a long time and here it is: the brand new SEIMS album ‘V.’
As always, it’s a stupendous effort from Simeon and his legendary team. I’m still a major fan of the last record ‘FOUR’ and this one takes it up a notch. One louder, if you will. Please check it out and feel the spirit of post-math-experimental-rock take you on a journey.
Initially conceived as a one-man studio project in 2012, the band has expanded into a ferocious live act with some of Sydney’s most talented musicians. SEIMS has shared stages with a diverse array of acts including Tortoise, Regurgitator, We Lost The Sea & Jean Jean. They performed at back to back Progfest events in 2018 & 2019 and have toured Japan twice, featuring at Tokyo’s iconic math-rock festival Bahamasfest.
In 2025 they will perform at the forthcoming Bird’s Robe 15th birthday events in December, featuring COG, …And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead & many more.
“A spellbinding record” – PROG Magazine
“F*cking flawless” – Everything Is Noise
“A surge of undulating heavy prog.” – triple j
“The bands are those that innovate, recreate themselves, forge new paths…that’s why we had our eyes and ears pinned on SEIMS.”– Fecking Bahamas
“Albums of the Year 2017 & 2019” – My Indie Australia
“SEIMS blend of post and other influences produced one of the most head-turning and astounding instrumental releases.” – Heavy Blog is Heavy
‘V’ is out on Friday 10 October through Bird’s Robe Records & Dunk Records.
Appearing live at:
Thursday 11 December – The Triffid, Brisbane w/…And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead
Friday 12 December – Max Watts, Melbourne w/COG & …And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead
Sunday 14 December – Metro Theatre, Sydney w/COG & …And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead
For fans of: Battles, The Physics House Band, 65daysofstatic, Adebisi Shank, Alarmist & Three Trapped Tigers.
LINKS:
‘V’ ALBUM CREDITS:
Produced by Simeon Bartholomew
Music and lyrics composed by Simeon Bartholomew
Drums arranged by Chris Allison
Recorded and engineered by Tim Carr at Rancom St Studios, Botany NSW
Additional recording at Across From Harry's Bathroom, Forest Lodge NSW
Mixed by Alex Wilson
Mastered by Jeff Lipton and Maria Rice at Peerless Mastering, Boston, MA
Assistant Mastering Engineer - Costanza Tinti
Lack of Guidance cover artwork by Simeon Bartholomew
Lack of Inhibition insert cover artwork by Montagne Bartholomew + Simeon Bartholomew
Simeon Bartholomew - guitars, basses, bass VI, piano, synth, vocals
Chris Allison - drums
Sam Sheumack - slide guitar (tracks 5, 6)
Mark Owen - guitar solo (track 8)
Nataliya Lukich - violins
Monique Turner - violas
Peter Hollo - cellos
Tom Botting - double basses
Paul Murchison - trumpets, flugelhorns
Luke Bartley - tuba, sousaphone
