Simone Jones is an artist hailing from Los Angeles who makes music with an eclectic sound. The American singer has been gifted with musical talent since she was a teenager. However Simonne did not jump into the music game straight away, as before channelling her artistic side she was a scientist, working in both South America and Africa.
Despite changing her career it is clear that Simonne Jones still values science because she often states that she wants to bridge the gap between science and music and form new connections within the fields.
Simonne’s E.P is named “Gravity”, a perfect symbol for the value that she still has for science, and her attempts two bring both worlds closer together. Although Simmonne’s music is completely different from what I usually listen to, I felt that she had an interesting story behind her music and was interested to find out more.
I was interested in knowing the reasoning behind naming her E.P “Gravity” and how she felt that science and music could be intertwined, however what I really wanted to shed light on was Simone’s evolution from becoming a scientist to a singer, and the thought processes behind this change in trade.
“ Music can inspire other people to rise to their full potential and also do similar things ”
Before embarking on your music career you used to be a biomedical researcher who engaged in HIV research within Brazil and African countries. That must have been an eye opening period of your life right?
“My first trip to Africa was to Ghana where I created an HIV awareness project where I taught sexual education and dispelling transmission myths. For example, before I started working with the teens 60% of them believed you could cure HIV by having sex with a virgin because they were told this by local politicians and other adults in the village.
I lived in the bush, without running water or electricity. It was really difficult but I came to terms with what it means to be human and how I want to change the world, or even a few people’s world with my potential as a human being. Music can inspire other people to rise to their full potential and also do similar things.
In Brazil, I travelled to the Amazon to be a part of a Jean Michel Jarre inspired project called Sound Hunters. I stayed in the jungle and got to know the indigenous Guarani tribe who shared their practices in a music ritual where they communicate with the Gods in a frequency (music) that both Gods and humans understand.
“ Science helped put existence into context for me ”
Has working in different countries as a researcher help provide a new perspective on life and making music?
Traveling helps you to understand that there are more differences inside a culture than between them. The idea that societies can make it feel like we are isolated units that have nothing to do with the world on a global scale is a tempting illusion that is an affliction of our time. Removing boarders within ourselves and the way that we perceive our environment makes music great.
Science helped put existence into context for me. When you think about it, all of humanity, our history, people, music, art, accomplishments, wars, crimes, intelligence and ignorance can be reduces to a spec of dust floating around in an infinite universe. When you understand our context it changes the way one see’s the world and also changed the way I write music.
When did you realise that you wanted to pursue music full-time as opposed to continue being a researcher?
It was when I was in Ghana. I was working in a biochemical engineering laboratory doing nuclear magnetic resonance work on the cloned, extracted and mutated DNA of HIV infected cells. I wanted to experience working with people infected with the actual disease and those whose lives were changed by the prevalence, so I went to Africa. When I was there, I really came to terms with why I was interested in helping people. The answer was perfectly clear. Music gives me the desire to help others find their purpose.
“ I wouldn’t say that the academy is directly responsible for that but they are contributing to how women are perceived in the industry in a positive way ”
Do you feel that going to the Red Bull Music Academy played a role in shaping you into the creative artist that you’ve become?
I was really honoured to be a part of the academy. 13,000 people applied my year. It really helped develop my skills and gain exposure which established me as a producer and engineer. Now people assume that I make my own beats and songs. I wouldn’t say that the academy is directly responsible for that but they are contributing to how women are perceived in the industry in a positive way. They highlight and recognize developing artists’ work.
Being part of an environment where you are given a studio, and have artists like Brian Eno, Giorgio Moroder, James Murphy come and give you personalized mentoring on how to succeed is really special. Also being surrounded by the next generation of producers that are likely to be the best in the field, and to be considered one of them was an honour.
Your music seems to have a really a scientific undertone. Why is that?
I love the universe and all of its mystery. I go to sleep haunted by scientific questions. Science is still a major part of my life.
“ People that are as curious as me can’t imagine staying in their hometown for their entire lives ”
Most people dream of flying over to L.A to chase their dreams but you left your hometown to live in Berlin. How come you moved to Berlin?
I moved to Berlin in order to see something new. People that are as curious as me can’t imagine staying in their hometown for their entire lives. Also Peaches kidnapped me. It’s hard to get me to leave Berlin, even to vacation. I think it is the most wonderful city in the world.
What inspired you to make the song “Gravity”?
I like the idea of an invisible force, that you can’t explain and barely understand holding your world together. That could also be part of the definition of love.
“ Musicianship, engineering, producing, beat making, composing are at the core of my art ”
I’ve seen clips of you performing with a band and also an orchestra. Would it be fair to say that you’re quite a versatile artist?
I am a musician. I enjoy the technical and mechanical aspects of making music more than being just the creative curator of an artistic project. Musicianship, engineering, producing, beat making, composing are at the core of my art. This is why I play so many instruments, engineer my own music and produce tracks for other artists.
Could you explain the concept behind your Gravity E.P and the reason you gave it that particular name?
Well the theme of Gravity is a lead up to my full length L.P. I won’t share the details but it is coming soon.
Who would be your dream collaboration?
I have been lucky to work with all of the collaborators I have wanted to for my record. This includes Jimmy Harry, Liam Howe, Sacha Skarbek, Kid Harpoon, David Kosten, Bram Inscore, Peaches, Peter Gordeno from Depeche Mode, Lester Mendez, Daniel Nigro, Jeppe Laursen, Red One, Doc Mckinney to name a few. These have been my mentors by working with them, refined my skills as a producer and contributed collaborations on my record.
Would you mind sharing with me your next steps?
I am currently composing the music for a theatre and dance production in Germany/Switzerland, writing songs for other artists who I am not allowed to disclose and producing full length EP’s for 2 artists I can’t name.
You can listen to previews of songs from Simonne Jones’ “Gravity” E.P but her project is available to purchase on Spotify and ITunes.
Follow Simonne Jones on social media.
Twitter : @SimonneJones
Instagram : @SimonneJones
Faceboook : Simonne Jones