Sloan Simpson has been recording for over two decades. Until now, none of the music has been his own.
This changes with the release of his debut album System Update (out May 13th on Science Project Records) under the name Sloan Brothers.
Wow, how did Simpson get here?!
The Athens, Georgia-based musician played rock and jazz guitar growing up, but was frustrated by the hit his talents took when a serious car accident sidelined him. Simpson sold all of his guitars and quit the instrument.
With music still in his blood, if not in his grasp, Simpson began to document, through live taping, the local scene in his new hometown of Atlanta, eventually relocating to nearby Athens after years spent driving between the two as part of his recording endeavors. His new hobby had become a good habit.
“I had a permanent recording setup installed and the reality of losing my favorite venue really set in when I had to go remove it,” Simpson says of The Caledonia Lounge, a nationally-recognized Athens club that closed in October of 2020, sidelining him again.
Like the life-changing event that inspired his recording career of recording others, the closing of the Caledonia was eerily fortuitous for Simpson. While live music was in shutdown, he wrote and recorded his first song. He also started calling up more friends.
Simpson explains, “I asked my friend Robert Schneider (co-founder of The Apples In Stereo and Elephant Six Recording Co.) if he would record backing vocals on the song “Into My Mind,” and he agreed. As I kept writing more songs, I would ask more friends I knew from recording shows over the years to contribute guest parts.”
In addition to Sweeney and Schneider, some three-dozen or more local luminaries also appear on System Update, including current and former members of Maserati, Olivia Tremor Control, Japancakes, of Montreal, Drive-By Truckers, Cracker, Casper & The Cookies, Camper Van Beethoven, Elf Power, and more.
Today Glide is excited to premiere the standout single “Songs Like This.” The song finds Simpson showcasing his penchant for writing punchy indie rock tunes with a touch of power pop. With its bouncy synth and uptempo beat, the song is a fun romp that begs to be played on repeat. In true collaborative fashion, Simpson enlisted some of his favorite Athens musicians to join him on the tune, and the result feels both communal and celebratory.
“I wrote this song after asking Andrew Rieger of Elf Power if he would sing on something, if I wrote one he liked. He agreed. At that point, it seemed like something that was a slight nod to the poppier side of Elephant 6 would be appropriate. Andrew sings the high part in the choruses. After recording basics, I realized it was perfect for Kevin Lane of local pop legends The Possibilities to sing in the verses with me and also add some rhythm guitar. I’ve been friends with Bryan J. Howard of Cracker for nearly 20 years now, and he jumped in here on bass.” – Sloan Simpson
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