In April 2014 I randomly bumped into Andy V at the Byron Bay Blues Festival. Andy used to play keys for me with the Eclective, since then he has gone on to be Dub FX right hand man in their loops stage show. Coincidentally enough, I'd just started getting into loops (I bought a BOSS RC-300 in November 2013) and we ended up doing a show together a a groovy little whiskey bar in Byron called Mr Johnson's. I mentioned to Andy that I was going to Thailand to do some shows in May/June and invited him to join me if his hectic schedule could accommodate. Turns out he had a couple of weeks to spare and a flight to Europe with a stop over in Bangkok. The stars aligned for us there so we couldn't pass it up. A few weeks later I picked Andy up from the wharf on Koh Tao and we spent the next 12 days making great music, great friends and even better memories.
All music on this EP was recorded live by Simon Wright and Andy V during performances on Koh Tao Thailand using their instruments, microphones and loop stations. No backing tracks were used.
Big thanks to Andy V for comin. Thanks to Jeff and all the gang at Choppers, thanks to Nando and all the gang at Fish Bowl Beach Bar, big thanks to Vikky, Gigi, Pheonix, all the gang at Banyans, Lisa, Denny and all the crew at Raw Art Moovement. Looking forward to getting back to the island in January. Let's do it all again.

WEBSITE

Simon Wright and Andy V Live on Koh Tao

You probably didn't notice till now but these little fellas are singing the whole way through the EP. I recorded them one night after a show and put it in the mix, really quietly, to add atmosphere. The idea is to put the listener in the environment that it was recorded in. It's funny how silence sounds different depending on where you are. I have about an hour of these frogs and the rain. They are great sounds to fall asleep to.

All music on this EP was recorded live by Simon Wright and Andy V during performances on Koh Tao Thailand using their instruments, microphones and loop stations. No backing tracks were used.

Outro (Koh Tao Frog Choir) - Simon Wright and Andy V Live Looping

Can't do a cover EP without some Michael. This is a newer one for me. the first time I performed it was on Koh Tao. Andy and I played every night while we were on the island so by the time he left we were starting to get quite comfortable with some of our loop arrangements. This was one of those tracks that is as much fun to play as it is for the people on the dance floor. I love MJ, I have since I was very young. I can't see anyone every achieving more in a musical career than that man. Rest in peace.

All music on this EP was recorded live by Simon Wright and Andy V during performances on Koh Tao Thailand using their instruments, microphones and loop stations. No backing tracks were used.

WEB SITE

Startin Somethin' (Michael Jackson) - Simon Wright and Andy V Live Looping

I love this song. A few years back Andy and I were lucky enough to see Al Green live in Melbourne. It was everything I expected and more.
When Andy first rocked up on the island we did this song with no loop stations. By the time Andy left the island we had had so much fun exploring the possibilities on our loop stations we had to use them for everything.
This is my favorite of all the recordings, hence why I released it first. It's not perfect but it's soulful and engaged. Andy's sax work at the end is amazing! I love the opening phrase. Gets me every time. Ba-dap-i-ba-dap-bwaaahh!!

All music on this EP was recorded live by Simon Wright and Andy V during performances on Koh Tao Thailand using their instruments, microphones and loop stations. No backing tracks were used.

Lets Stay Together (Al Green) - Simon Wright and Andy V Live Looping

This one is an original. Well, as original as a one chord, Ray Charles inspired, rock'n'roll song can be. Andy just started with a  piano groove and I jumped on. I love it when things like that come together. One of my favourite tracks from the recording. Andy's keys and sax work are phenomenal.
The Lyrics are from a song I've been working on called "Let's Dance Like they Used to Do". I fumbled quite a bit but I kinda like that in live recordings. It was the first and only time this song has ever been played.

All music on this EP was recorded live by Simon Wright and Andy V during performances on Koh Tao Thailand using their instruments, microphones and loop stations. No backing tracks were used.

Rockin' Blues (Original Jam) - Simon Wright and Andy V Live Looping

This is a long one, I like them like that. It gives you more time in the song and less time setting it up on the loop station. Basically it's just A minor at a certain tempo and we just reincarnate it in several different expressions. It's kind of like being a DJ and a musician at the same time. Making loops, beats and mashing tracks while playing and singing along. It's great fun. Even more fun working with Andy V. He had such proficient skill on the sax, the keys and vocals already but now with his loop station work he is a powerful piece of finely tuned musical ability.
Most of this track is just us experimenting with our loops to the frame work of some of our favorite jams. We start with De La Soul's Aint All Good then a little bit of Bill Withers Ain't No Sunshine before we jam out a reggae groove and finish with a some Bobby Marley. A great track for the start of a party. We'd play this second at our gigs on Koh Tao. We found it was a great way to get the people on the dance floor without blowing the roof too early.

All music on this EP was recorded live by Simon Wright and Andy V during performances on Koh Tao Thailand using their instruments, microphones and loop stations. No backing tracks were used.

All Good? Medley (De La Soul, Bill Withers, Bob Marley)- Simon Wright and Andy V Live Looping

When I first heard Fat Freddy's Drop they were my new favourite band before the first song had finished. To this day I still hold "Based on A True Story" as one of the best albums of my generation. This track is one of many great songs from the album.

Andy and I shared a love for the Freddy's way back when we first met in 2007. We played a version of this track with the Eclective and when Andy and I would play our little trio shows with Travis Constable on drums we would always play as much Freddy's as we could squeeze in.
In Thailand we'd open with this track as it was a nice one to get in the mood. Surprisingly not many people over there know of Fat Freddy's Drop, but those that do were always your new biggest fans.

All music on this EP was recorded live by Simon Wright and Andy V during performances on Koh Tao Thailand using their instruments, microphones and loop stations. No backing tracks were used.

Roadie(Fat Freddy's Drop) - Simon Wright and Andy V Live Looping

Sounds from Simon Wright and company. Singer/songwriter, MC, loop artist. Blues, funk, soul, reggae, rock n' roll and hip hop. Live recordings, sound bites and B-Sides.

Simon Wright and Andy V Live on Koh Tao

#looptheworld