Simon Scardanelli
a brief history of rhyme
Simon Scardanelli has been singing, writing and recording since the age of 16. He has worked extensively in Europe and the USA , and has at various times been based in London, Amsterdam, Munich, New York and Los Angeles. Having been signed to both major and independent labels, Simon has an uncompromising attitude to his work and now releases independently through Resonator Records. As one reviewer wrote of the his 2007 album - “ You never know what is lurking around That Dangerous Sparkle's dark corner, but whatever it is will always shock and surprise. Scardanelli is always prepared to take a risk, and we should all hope that it is this experimentation that is the future of British singer-songwriters.”
A charismatic and engaging performer, Simon's live shows are peppered with wry anecdotes and dry, self-deprecating humour – he is able to look back on a long and varied career with an ironic appreciation of its highs and lows. But it is the quality of songwriting and singing that will ring in your ears after a Scardanelli gig – as Sound on Sound wrote – “Simon's greatest asset is a fantastic singing voice…his performance on tracks such as “They Dance” bear comparison to the likes of Scott Walker.”
Simon Scardanelli enjoyed chart success in the late eighties with Anglo-Canadian duo Big Bam Boo (MCA) scoring a top 20 radio hit in the US in March 1989, after which the band re-located to New York. Following the demise of Big Bam Boo Scardanelli remained in New York , composing installation works for Art Events and experimental films, as well as performing at acoustic venues along the East Coast. A regular at the infamous Lach's AntiFolk nights at the Sidewalk Café in New York's East Village , Scardanelli released the darkly challenging album The Eye Camera - Death Row Tales (Red Line) in 1994. Scardanelli returned to London in 1995 before moving to Brighton to take a degree in 20th Century Music at Sussex University . Disappearing from the live circuit, Scardanelli put his energies into experimenting with sonic-composition. Studying with Professor Jonty Harrison at the University of Birmingham, he was awarded a PhD in musical composition in July 2010.
Scardanelli returned to the live scene in 2005, and released HOBOHEMIA on Resonator Records - his first album for over ten years. Scardanelli's songs combine gritty realism with soaring melody and quirky English eccentricity. Simon Scardanelli was given a rapturous welcome at the Wheaton Aston Festival and at Festival at the Edge in 2005, and now plays selected festivals and acoustic shows as the mood takes him.
An outstanding performer, Simon Scardanelli has been building a strong reputation for his live shows since 2005. His most recent album - That Dangerous Sparkle - was released in June 2007 and further consolidated his standing as an intriguing and innovative singer-songwriter.
At the beginning of 2011 Simon recruited Si Early - Keyboards, Jamie Leach - Drums, and James Stathatos - Bass guitar, to form DR SCARDO. The band released their debut single WALL STREET HUSTLE on 24th October 2011. Already getting radio support from Alternative radio in the USA, the band are mid-way through recording their first album.
When Simon Scardanelli wrote a song highly critical of financial whizz-kid Alessio Rastani for his selfish view of the world (Rastani dreams of another Wall Street crash - he'd make a fortune from the misery of others), recorded it with his band DR SCARDO and then posted the video on Rastani’s Facebook page, he didn't expect him to "like" it. “Flattered”, Rastani says, to be cited in this way - make what you like of that.
Further, he responded to the "invitation" to be in the video with "how would like like me to be involved - do you want a photo?"
All this will make sense if you hear the song and view the video, which features faces from the Occupy Wall Street campaign. youtube.com/drscardo
A charismatic and engaging performer, Simon's live shows are peppered with wry anecdotes and dry, self-deprecating humour – he is able to look back on a long and varied career with an ironic appreciation of its highs and lows. But it is the quality of songwriting and singing that will ring in your ears after a Scardanelli gig – as Sound on Sound wrote – “Simon's greatest asset is a fantastic singing voice…his performance on tracks such as “They Dance” bear comparison to the likes of Scott Walker.”
Simon Scardanelli enjoyed chart success in the late eighties with Anglo-Canadian duo Big Bam Boo (MCA) scoring a top 20 radio hit in the US in March 1989, after which the band re-located to New York. Following the demise of Big Bam Boo Scardanelli remained in New York , composing installation works for Art Events and experimental films, as well as performing at acoustic venues along the East Coast. A regular at the infamous Lach's AntiFolk nights at the Sidewalk Café in New York's East Village , Scardanelli released the darkly challenging album The Eye Camera - Death Row Tales (Red Line) in 1994. Scardanelli returned to London in 1995 before moving to Brighton to take a degree in 20th Century Music at Sussex University . Disappearing from the live circuit, Scardanelli put his energies into experimenting with sonic-composition. Studying with Professor Jonty Harrison at the University of Birmingham, he was awarded a PhD in musical composition in July 2010.
Scardanelli returned to the live scene in 2005, and released HOBOHEMIA on Resonator Records - his first album for over ten years. Scardanelli's songs combine gritty realism with soaring melody and quirky English eccentricity. Simon Scardanelli was given a rapturous welcome at the Wheaton Aston Festival and at Festival at the Edge in 2005, and now plays selected festivals and acoustic shows as the mood takes him.
An outstanding performer, Simon Scardanelli has been building a strong reputation for his live shows since 2005. His most recent album - That Dangerous Sparkle - was released in June 2007 and further consolidated his standing as an intriguing and innovative singer-songwriter.
At the beginning of 2011 Simon recruited Si Early - Keyboards, Jamie Leach - Drums, and James Stathatos - Bass guitar, to form DR SCARDO. The band released their debut single WALL STREET HUSTLE on 24th October 2011. Already getting radio support from Alternative radio in the USA, the band are mid-way through recording their first album.
When Simon Scardanelli wrote a song highly critical of financial whizz-kid Alessio Rastani for his selfish view of the world (Rastani dreams of another Wall Street crash - he'd make a fortune from the misery of others), recorded it with his band DR SCARDO and then posted the video on Rastani’s Facebook page, he didn't expect him to "like" it. “Flattered”, Rastani says, to be cited in this way - make what you like of that.
Further, he responded to the "invitation" to be in the video with "how would like like me to be involved - do you want a photo?"
All this will make sense if you hear the song and view the video, which features faces from the Occupy Wall Street campaign. youtube.com/drscardo
