Tragically, my brother Simi Vehikite passed away last week. In addition to being a colorful friend and beast of a teammate, what many folks don't know was how good Simi was at music – specifically making up and singing melodies. He sings the first verse and bridge on this song.

Simi's Jam was something that we recorded 4 years ago to make a professional music video to.  We had plans to turn this song into a music video for the USC family and world to see but we ran into some bureaucracy and red tape that never allowed it to get as big as we thought it maybe could have.

For a bit of backstory, Peter Yobo and I would host jam sessions at our apartment during football season where all of our buddies could come over, play music, sing, hang out, and stay outta trouble. Those nights, when everyone was harmonizing, signing, freestyling, and being themselves were some of the most memorable nights I've ever had. 

In those jam sessions, I've never seen someone happier and more full of life than Simi.  He attended and organized damn near every single one. Became our third roommate for the love of the jam sessionz. 

I was a suburban white kid from Minnesota, Simi a Polynesian from Tonga and Hawaii, and Pete an African from Ghana. On paper, we couldn't have been further apart but our connection to music literally made us brothers.  

Thanks to everyone who ever came to a jam session. Rather than be sad, let us think back to how fun the sessions were and remember Simi laughing and smiling. 

Simi, this is how I'll always remember you bruddah.  Jamming, singing, always asking to play one more song when it was too damn late in the night. You killed the bridge on this song. It's my hope that we all hear the happiness in his voice. I love and miss you, brother. 

YEE YEE!

- cody

Simi's Jam

a quick live take with some dub backup vocals. Check it out!

Success is the Best Revenge mp3

Written and recorded in a 3 hour sitting, for fun. Mellow bluesy vibe.

Cody Romness

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