New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Critically acclaimed and fan revered, guitarist/vocalist, JD Simo, has shared his album Off At 11 (out on Crows Feet Records), premiering the collection exclusively on Billboard. Renowned journalist, Gary Graff writing for Billboard said, "...Simo covers
Little Walter's "Boom, Boom, Out Go the Lights" and Slim Harpo's "Got Love If You Want It" and pays tribute to both B.B. King and Michael Bloomfield...Meanwhile, channels forebears such as Jimi Hendrix, Santana, and the Allman Brothers Band, while "Accept" weighs in at an epic 17 minutes of outer space exploration."
Off At 11 is JD Simo's debut solo collection and showcases the virtuosic guitarist at his most electric. The eight tracks are a journey through the ghosts of the blues masters, the psychedelic arrangements of the 60s, the guitar gods of the 70s and beyond. In JD's hands these influences are melded with a progressive ambition and technical prowess that ensures these are songs built for 2019. Acid rock, traditional blues, folk, soul, and free form jazz are all brought to new life in JD's kaleidoscope of sound.
The recording of this rocking, blues driven, electric tour de force took place over a three day period in the summer of 2018 during a brief break in touring, including Simo's first shows as a guest of Phil Lesh and Friends, he and his band laid down these musically dense and inspiring tracks with the mission of creating something authentic, filled with fun and no edits, no tricks. "Just honesty and a tape machine" he explains. Simo continues, "There's an underlying theme of LOVE that permeates the album. Both outward love but also inner and self-love. These days, everything is so heavy, but I just want to point out some joy, love and deep passion; in this world, we all share that spirit. Off At 11 does that."
Reflecting on the album as release day approaches, JD says; "This record has been a long time coming for me. I finally feel like I'm wearing my own clothes. Its low down, funky and free. It's ME, literally at home making the sound that comes out naturally. I can't wait for everyone to dig it!"
JD is just finishing the first leg of his tour of the US, with plans to start the second leg in April supporting The Allman/Betts band.
When last in NY, JD and his band made a stop at Paste Magazine's headquarters where he and his band, Andraleia Buch on bass and Adam Abrashoff on drums, played soul blasting versions of tracks from Off At 11, as well as cover songs, including "Get By With a
Little Help From My Friends", that nod to JD's influences.
The next leg of the tour brings JD and band to
Europe opening for Tommy Emmanuel and then returning to the United States in April to open for the Allman Betts Band on their inaugural tour.
JD recently wrote about his love of music for The Vinyl District and debuted new live videos for singles "Boom Boom, Out Go The Lights" and "You Need Love". The piece opens with the tongue-in-cheek admission "I'm JD Simo and I'm a vinyl junkie", before discussing some of his favorite vinyl purchases, record stores and the people that run them. He summarizes, "the joy of the hobby is equal parts excavation and community."
Upcoming Tour Dates:
Mar 1, 2019 Bowling Green, KY @ Spillway Bar & Grill
Mar 2, 2019 Knoxville, TN @ Barley's
With The Allman Betts Band
Apr 25, 2019 Meridian, MS @ Riley Performing Arts Center
Apr 26, 2019 New Orleans, LA @ House Of Blues (Jazzfest)
Apr 27, 2019 North
Little Rock, AR @ Pulaski Community College PAC
Apr 29, 2019 Kansas City, MO @ Knuckleheads
Apr 30, 2019 Iowa City, IA @ Englert Theater
May 1, 2019 Bloomington, IL @ Castle Theater
May 3, 2019 Memphis, TN @ Graceland Stage
May 6, 2019 Oklahoma City, OK @ Tower Theater
May 8, 2019 Lincoln, NE @Bourbon Theater
May 9, 2019 Salina, KS @ Stiefel Theatre
May 10, 2019 Dallas, TX @ Kessler Theater
May 11, 2019 Houston, TX @ Heights Theater
May 12, 2019 Austin, TX @ Mohawk
May 14, 2019 Lubbock, TX @ Cactus Theater
May 16, 2019 Tucson, AZ @ Fox Theater
May 17, 2019 Flagstaff, AZ @ Orpheum Theater
May 19, 2019 Chandler, AZ @ Chandler Center for the Arts
