Simon Wilcox

Simon Wilcox established herself as an artist with her debut album Mongrel of Love (2000). She toured extensively and developed a reputation as a songwriter, especially as a lyricist. She toured across the continent, as far north as Dawson City and as far south as Los Angeles. Her music captured the hearts and imaginations of many. With her sophomore album, she wanted to reach more people and yet continue to explore songwriting. "I've had the opportunity to write for and with such a diverse group of artists that I've been able to express so many different aspects of my personalityÖwhen I sat down to write my own material-I could really focus on capturing a moment in my life". Listening to Simon's work for/with artists such as Three Days Grace, Jorane, Projet Orange, Juliette Lewis and even Randy Bachman (!) one is struck by her versatility and skill.

Mongrel of Love won Simon critical acclaim and substantial media coverage (Maclean's, Le Soleil, La Presse, The Vancouver Sun, The Ottawa Citizen, Now Magazine and The Ottawa Sun, to name a few) and it also drew attention to her remarkable life story. The daughter of Canadian rock guitarist David Wilcox and UK-based record producer Sadia Sadia, Simon was abandoned at the age of three. A fan of her father's music took Simon in, ostensibly for a month, but her parents did not return, and Simon stayed. By the age of sixteen Simon was on her own, traveling the world. She reconnected with her parents and in them she has found both inspiration and friendship. Also a visual artist, she has studied fine art in Italy, England and Toronto. She has exhibited her work both here and abroad. Proudly Canadian, Simon speaks French impeccably, and she can also speak some Italian (picked up while apprenticing in Florence with artist Agostino DessiÖbut that's another story). At nineteen she began her work as a musician. Simon has appeared as both a guest/ featured vocalist on recordings by Ashley MacIsaac, The PocketDwellers, Kevin Hearn (of the Barenaked Ladies) and many others.

Most recently, Simon formed a label: SHErecords. SHE will work with BMG to distribute and market Simon's sophomore album. Simon has a great team assembled around her in support of this album. From producer Ron Lopata, to a band of great musicians (namely davide Direnzo, JK and Justin Abedin) to her manager, Keith Porteous. This remarkable team has strongly informed the new direction of Simon's work. The new material is a departure, and yet Simon's voice is as strong as ever. The album will be preceded by a sampler and video (directed by Sean Turrell (Billy Talent, Hawksley Workman, David Usher)). The sampler will offer a foretaste of some extraordinary music. It is both remarkably ambitious and highly original. Hip hop rhythms and syncopations hearken the spirits of jazz and blues; lyrics of rare truth-telling set up an intimate conversation between artist and listener; and singing of sheer, strong beauty inspires and resonates.