JD SIMO RELEASES NEW ALBUM MIND CONTROL

Article Contributed by e2PR | Published on Tuesday, November 16, 2021

Critically acclaimed guitarist and vocalist, JD Simo, today releases his new LP, Mind Control.

Paste Magazine exclusively premiered the new album and said, “Simo has a history of working with a diverse range of sounds. On Mind Control, his reach is as thrilling and inviting as one expects.”

JD told Paste Magazine, “Over lockdown my buddies and I were really obsessed with Afro Beat and North Mississippi trance stuff. So lots of Fela, Tony Allen and Junior Kimbrough especially but also Fred McDowell, Jessie Mae Hemphill, CeDell Davis. R.L. Burnside too.

So that mix really permeates a lot of the record. Those Afro Beat grooves with that real raw sludgy thing on top. It happened really naturally and without preconception.”

Mind Control marks JD’s third studio album, and his first since the start of the COVID-19 shut down and showcases his growth as a musician and a songwriter. He showcases complex guitar work and insightful lyrics to create an emotional and thought provoking experience.

American Songwriter premiered the first single, “Know It All” from Mind Control and said, “Simo’s artistic growth and newfound creative liberty can be heard in full force on his new single, “Know It All.”... A bluesy track showing off his road-worn skills—with blistering guitar fills...the single is representative of how songwriting (especially with the level of openness Simo was embracing) can be a phenomenal vehicle for thinking about how to live a good life.”

JD also released the psychedelic single “That’s When You Know That You’re Down” which was lauded by American Blues Scene, “‘That’s When You Know You’re Down” is a guitar-driven, blues-based psychedelic rocker that echoes the avant-garde sound of early Captain Beefheart — affording the listener imaginative thrills.”

The album opens with the funky and bluesy “Go Away Satan” which JD performed live for Paste Magazine.

“I’m In Love” and “Let Go” follow as the second and third songs, each displaying JD’s dynamic songwriting, and his ability to take elements from multiple blues adjacent genres and combine them to create a unique listening experience.

The drum-driven “Want What I Don’t Have” breaks up the album’s two singles, “Know It All” and “That’s When You Know That You’re Down”. Adam Abrashoff’s steady drumming keeps the song moving forward along with Adam Bednarik’s cool and laid back bass lines.

“Fucked Up” features sludgy and grungy guitars, which switch between heavy distortion to masterful leads.

The album closes with “Devil Is Always Watchin’”, “People Pleaser”, and “Recovery”.

JD’s guitar work is unmatched, and his impressive and tasteful solos display his prowess with the instrument. JD is currently on a co-headlining tour with Boston based blues band GA-20.

Tour Dates:

NOV 5 FRI Chipper’s College Lanes Fort Collins, CO

NOV 6 SAT The Animas City Theatre Durango, CO

NOV 7 SUN Launchpad Albuquerque, NM

NOV 9 TUE 191 Toole Tucson, AZ

NOV 10 WED Rhythm Room Phoenix, AZ

NOV 11 THU Coach House Concert Hall San Juan Capistrano, CA

NOV 12 FRI The Siren Morro Bay, CA

NOV 13 SAT The Mint Los Angeles, CA

NOV 14 SUN Soda Bar San Diego, CA

NOV 16 TUE Felton Music Hall Felton, CA

NOV 17 WED Cornerstone Craft Beer & Live Music Berkeley, CA