2. Ride FULL MIX

3. If You Give Me Your Love MIX 1

4. In The Middle FULL MIX

5. Devil Below MIX 4

6. Long Drop From The Top MIX 8

7. Memories & Dust FULL MIX

8. Until I See You Again FULL MIX

9. Shadow FULL MIX

10. Liars Son FULL MIX

1. Sister Sister FULL MIX

A full decade in the making, the story of Break to the Grey, in particular, the pieces that had to come together in the right order and fashion are at least equally as interesting and telling as the music itself.

 

Growing up outside of Chicago, Mike had the good fortune of being exposed to some great musicians early on. Whether it was being exposed to Maxwell Street blues performers at an early age or growing up during the alternative rock era, Chicago provided a rich musical environment to develop in. “My earliest memory of music and when I really started paying attention to the sound of records, was when I first heard Led Zeppelin II. I remember listening to songs like Ramble On and What Is And What Should Never Be. I remember just getting completely lost in the sound of that record. There was something about the way everything fit together, and to me, it was instantly apparent that the sound of that record was just as important as the material and performances.” Over time, Mike developed himself as a singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter and producer.

 

Knowing early on that he was going to have to develop himself as a producer, Mike set out to fuse his craft for writing and performing original material with the mastery of music production and mixing technique. Reflecting on his journey Mike explains, “I learned by osmosis and trial & error.” I would hang around recording studios and watch sessions of other artists. I learned the gear and I learned the techniques that professional engineers were using. Music production is a spooky science. I’ve literally owned every piece of gear imaginable and sold each one. I’ve had to learn how to play both parts (The musician and the producer/engineer). But in the end it is absolutely my brand of music through and through.”

 

Mike’s talent, passion and persistence attracted some of the best musicians in the country to work with him on Break To The Grey, including his longtime friend and drummer from Chicago, Matt Walker (Smashing Pumpkins, Morrissey), who introduced him to other high-profile players like Sean O’Keefe, who produced and mixed Fall Out Boy and Plain White T’s and multi-instrumentalist Pat Sansone from Wilco, who played additional guitar, Mellotron, percussion and keys on the record.

 

And speaking of Led Zeppelin II, Mike had the great opportunity to work with renowned rock producer Eddie Kramer who co-engineered several tracks on Break to the Grey. Eddie engineered many of Led Zeppelin‘s records as well as Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Guy and many more.

 

After meeting Kramer in the summer of 2019, at a week-long Music seminar in the south of France and after hearing some of Simon’s material, Kramer agreed to travel to Seattle and work with Mike at his home studio and Robert Lang Studios in Shoreline, WA. Together, over a two-week period, Kramer and Simon added some essential tracks and additions that helped shape the direction of the album.

 

Break to the Grey is set to release July 1, 2023

Mike Simon

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