Thank you for taking the time to have this interview with IMAAI.
Tell us about your music.
I think my music crosses a lot of genres, if you really needed to sum it up you could call it Americana, there is some folk, some blues, some country, some rock and roll, and even a little jazz and RandB. My music tends to have a classic kind of sound, but I try to put some more contemporary influences in there as well. That said my biggest influences would be Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, and Bruce Springsteen and that comes out in a lot of my stuff. If you listen to my catalogue you will hear elements of all of them in it.
When did you start performing?
I think I have been performing all my life but officially, as in, in front of people I was actually a bit late to the game, I was too shy and a late bloomer, and I lacked confidence, so I was in my early 20’s before I actually got up in front of an audience.
What do you consider to be your hometown and how does that affect your music?
I have many hometowns, officially the town I grew up in is called Mount Pearl, which is a small town in the province of Newfoundland, in Canada. It was a nondescript place, and bedroom community for the capital of St. John’s basically, so a suburban kind of place. Coming from there was an advantage in a way because I wasn’t attached to any particular style or genre, I was a blank slate, free to choose my own musical direction. My second hometown is Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, here is where I really polished my musicianship and honed my style, I became a professional during my time there. It is also where I met my manager (who passed away) from New York, and that was an important jump in my musical life because that led to getting to play in New York City, which was something I dreamt of as a kid in Newfoundland. My third hometown is where I live now, which is Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Dartmouth actually presented a great opportunity for me to really structure what I was doing into a package that I could then sell to the public, it’s a comfortable place for me to live and affords me access to talented people to collaborate with because of its proximity to Halifax, which is a bigger sort of place. Also, there are venues where I can perform in my neighbourhood which is great for building a fan base and developing a performance style.
What performers have been your inspiration?
Number one is Bob Dylan, I have many stories about how he has influenced my life, the first took place back in my suburban home as a kid. I found a Jimi Hendrix 45 in the basement, one side had All Along the Watchtower on it, when I put it on, it was like someone kicked open a door to my mind and looked a saw B. Dylan as the songwriter, I had never heard anything before like that in my life, the combination of poetry and music, it set me on a course. Over the years, the constant evolution of Dylan as an artist set a template for me to follow.
Then there is Tom Petty, I actually was recently in his hometown, I walked in his footsteps a bit, it was emotional to be honest. Again, that combination of the words and the music are what inspires me. His ability to put a poetic slant on a pop hit is something special. As a performer, I strive to achieve that same level of mastery of the stage, especially when I play with a band. Same thing with Bruce Springsteen, the rock and roll aspect of what they do is enough, there’s nothing flashy, nobody is showing up in a balloon, it’s just pure charisma and energy, and it becomes infectious throughout the audience.
What do you base your success on?
My determination and hard work. The idea of the over night success in the music business is a myth, it takes a lot falling before you can stand up and then put on top of that you are putting something out there that is your own creative vision, there are a lot of reasons to give up. I have heard no 100 times more than yes, but the key is to never give up because the next yes can move you a little bit further ahead.
What was your latest musical release?
In January of 2023 I released a new album called Dark and Dirty World. Dark and Dirty World is a collection of songs meant to tell a complete story of a character searching for happiness, acceptance and a secure place in the world, as well as coping with grief and hardship in a sometimes humorous or satirical way, in the vain of Bob Dylan’s Blood on the Tracks/Desire, Tom Petty’s Full Moon Fever/Wildflowers, or Bruce Springsteen’s Born to Run/Ghost of Tom Joad. There are two overall recurring themes. First, is the displacement of the working class and the corruption and greed that has spawned the current climate of popular unrest. Second is the emotional struggle that accompanies a failed relationship and a longing for love, companionship, and a sense of belonging that is seemingly out of reach.
Do you have any news to share?
In February of 2023 I released the official music video for the title track from my album Dark and Dirty World, I recommend you check it out on YouTube.
How can fans find you?
Website
www.tedsimmonsmusic.com
Spotify
open.spotify.com/artist/0NtMK8xNwTNpGFbd1I9gF7?si=kkkXsy8JR3q1gwBpwB0mLQ
Apple Music
music.apple.com/us/artist/ted-simmons/398444258
Bandcamp
tedsimmons.bandcamp.com
Instagram
www.instagram.com/therealtedsimmons/?hl=en
Facebook
www.facebook.com/tedsimmonsmusic/
YouTube
www.youtube.com/channel/UCvjmM_fea-KPUrfoweCOf8A
Lastly, please share some final words with the fans.
Thank-you for letting me talk about myself. I think my music is representative of who I am and what I believe in, I try to be honest in my work, so if you check it out I hope that comes across and I hope you enjoy it.