The one-man band, Space March, was created in 2003 with the release of the debut self-titled album in Australia. In 2004, the album was released by Ninthwave Records in the United States and reached top spots in both the Chicago Reader’s year-end list and the Village Voice’s Pazz and Jop poll in 2004.
Simmons’ objective with Space March was to create a more organic form of synthpop drawing on indie influences and Beatle-esque melodies. However, the follow-up album ‘Without This You Can Never Change’ released by Death By Karaoke and Ninthwave Records in 2007 found Simmons once again introducing more electro elements into the mix, creating a counter-play between the organic and mechanical.
Perhaps the most commonly commented aspect of Simmons’ songs are the lyrics. Through all the Space March songs, Simmons’ lyrics and delivery are equal parts cheeky and sincere, lightening the often melancholy themes with disarming wit and lilting melodies.
Before founding Space March, Simmons spent the 1990s playing straight-up New Wave synthpop with the band Electrosquad. However, as Simmons grew increasingly influenced by John Lennon and James Bond composer John Barry, Electrosquad’s music moved away from synthpop and towards indie rock. In many ways, Space March is a seamless blend of Simmons’ synthpop roots and indie-pop inclinations. |
