From the heavy rock of Guns N Roses, through to the dance floor electronica of house music, White Bird has certainly flown a unique path...
Steve Simms is a music producer based in Adelaide, Australia. His early influences may seem at odds with his chosen career progression into audio engineer, House Music Producer and record label owner, so we thought we’d dig a little deeper….
What got you into music and what were your first bands that you listened to?
I was introduced to music by my parents who had a reasonable vinyl collection. I liked Jimmy Hendrix, Ac/Dc, Foreigner, The Beatles among others I took piano then guitar lessons and I played in a band in Melbourne for years. My taste progressed as it does and i found British heavy metal and then American bands like GnR and early metallica and Megadeth. Dirty Rotten Imbeciles Suicidal Tendencies and Anthrax and anything punk was on the menu. later came the industrial noise of Ministry, The Jesus Lizard, NIN and as far as Public Image Limited, New Order, Kraftwerk and the like.
Who got you into electronic music?
I have to thank DJ Asterix for introducing me to electronic dance music, Thanks old friend. He showed me Adelaides’ DJ HMC of Juice records fame and Kevin Saunderson, CJ Bolland, Underground resistance and Rotterdam Records DJ Paul Elstak. Only for the hardcore Haha. Monday nights at Ko Club 5 of us with our sneakers would dance our asses off as long as the club owner would let us. It was only ever about how the music made me feel.
When Raves broke in Adelaide and Jungle and Breakbeat was brand new, Grooverider and DJ Slipmatt were on the menu. I saw Lenny Dee, Dj Edge, Frank de Wulf, Rabbit City Records and local favourite Groove terminator was the headline sound with ATB and Brendon I ended up I think finding house music at Recovery Club and then Synagogue and felt a whole new uplifting vibe.
I played hardcore when I DJ’d at house after parties with Asterix , Hob G , Jimmy K and the crew and things like Gothic halloween parties in between hardcore metal bands sets. I moved to Melbourne and wandered into a third floor of a building which was simply plain. No signs, no obvious logos or advertising and a fella called Denesh who was a huge help. He asked what I liked and started a pile of records for me to listen to which was the British acid movement essentially. Chris Liberator, Chocci, Dave the Drummer to name a few but I didnt know the names I just loved the sound.
The whole crew at Octave were great human beings and my vinyl addiction was every bit of every pay check every week for several hundred dollars at a time. When we threw a house party I met the guys responsible for the biggest and longest running club there and Mark set me up each weekend playing private events and eventually I was offered a premium club slot showcasing the sound but unfortunate circumstance had me move and it wasn’t to be.
Back in Adelaide I met DJ Cuss who packed clubs with his unique brand of house music when he was invited to play. He introduced me to Inland Knights Andy riley, Halo Varga, Miguel Migs and tons more and my own exploration of the sound has let me meet Filta Freqz-Love you guys. I love Mark Farina, Derrik Carter, David Britton, Demuir, Ron Trent and anybody who makes me feel alive. So writing for 10 years with DJ Cuss-Maximus and being an SAE sound production and industry qualified graduate I set about sharing what I do online and see if I could simply connect with like minded music freaks.
This lead to half a dozen experiments in branding and sounds and currently I have WHITE BIRD RECORDS and is funky big bass eclectic kind of house music. On June 4 we will be 1 year old and I still consider myself a beginner writing house music and there’s always something new and interesting to learn I enjoy the people I have connected with and thanks to all of you for your influence and support in varying forms over the years.
What’s you writing/production process look like?
My writing process is mix all the sounds down to a stereo output and record a live take. It is only ever a reflection of how I was feeling in that moment and is absolute creative freedom for me. I was never in it for money or fame or any of that bullshit. I have made music since I was 12 and if I live to 100 I will still make music. Oh, and I need to make a special mention…Richard and Fiona…Trinity Techno Ireland thanks my friends for your unwavering support and congrats on tearing up the charts with your unique brand of industrial techno beats.
I almost left out Daniel Smith of Deep and Dope Records and the famous TRAX Records Chicago! A truly nice guy and genuine music lover who I have talked sound with for hours at a time. Love your sound Dan. Thanks so much for your support my friend. This has to go on the end of my bio. Thanks again.
White Birds’ new single AKA is out now on all good digital platforms. Click here
Check out White Birds’ YouTube channel here
