Australian experimental rock project SEIMS to release new album ‘FOUR’ this October
6th August 2021Australian experimental rock project SEIMS will release ‘FOUR’ this October, a new full-length album featuring their most engaging and hypnotic material to date.
The brainchild of multi-instrumentalist Simeon Bartholomew, SEIMS has evolved into an explorational and formidable band over the course of several records, including their most recent release ‘3’ and ‘3.1’ which featured the stabbing punk of ‘Cyan’ and lilting math-rock ode ‘Imperfect Black’.
The new record showcases the band’s delicately crafted arrangements on tracks including the beguiling 65daysofstatic ‘Wild Light’ era tinged post-math-rock of Elegance Over Confidence, the soaring modern post-rock of The Mountain’s Scream and the dark ‘Stranger Things’ evoking electro-prog of Showdown Without A Victim.
Today they have also shared first single ‘Elegance Over Confidence’. The band comment,
“This piece is quite literal to the title. I’ve never been a fan of the athleticism that’s associated with math-rock, and this is all about hiding simplicity within complexity for showmanship’s sake. An ever-changing rotation of open-phrasing being talked over by a rotation of 9/8 + 5/8 viola, cello and piano movements. As we move through the passage of 14/8 over 4/4, we come out at Theme C – pure musical confidence in its single-mindedness – guitar and bass in Em 4/4 over a “four-to-the-floor” disco beat. You can’t get more rudimentary than that.”
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. As well as Simeon performing bass, guitars, synths, piano & vocals himself, it also features blistering performances from Plini drummer Chris Allison, Kat Hunter & Susie Bishop on violins & Tangents/FourPlay member Peter Hollo on cellos.
For the release of ‘FOUR’ SEIMS have partnered with Australian labels Art As Catharsis & Bird’s Robe once again, as well as European vinyl label Dunk Records for the first time.
Simeon says:
“I’ve always loved writing concept albums and after exploring the colour spectrum and its contributions and interactions with itself, it made me think about a similar idea in the verbal medium. FOUR was initially inspired by the Myer Briggs indicator of personalities. I always found it fascinating how words on paper can change inference, intent, or perspective purely by someone’s speaking tone and demeanour, and also how it can be received or perceived based on your personality, context, and cognisance.
This album is all about unintentionally misconstrued conversations – multiple voices / themes saying one thing, and being received or misinterpreted a very different way, for better or worse.”
Director of Bird’s Robe Records Mike Solo says:
“Love Sim, love SEIMS and love being able to share this awesome record with people. This is my absolute favourite SEIMS album to date, it’s got everything you know and love about the band with plenty more innovation and craftsmanship on top. There’s such a good vibe on this record from start to finish and if you like any of the experimental math-rock, post-rock influences they’ve showcases in the past, you will love this. Check it out.”
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 2020 they were due to play the main stage at UK festival ArcTanGent, alongside Opeth, This Will Destroy You & Swans, when the pandemic forced the postponement of the event. They are now due for their maiden UK/EU tour in 2022, again featuring a performance at ArcTanGent.
‘FOUR’ is out on Friday 22 October through Art As Catharsis Records, Bird’s Robe Records & Dunk Records. Pre-order now:
For fans of: Battles, The Physics House Band, 65daysofstatic, Adebisi Shank, Alarmist & Three Trapped Tigers.
