| Artist Profile | ...Simon Slieker -
Melbourne, Australia
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Simon Slieker - Biography
From radio shows on Kiss and Street FM to short stories and articles in numerous newspapers, to production houses YFY and Monotremes, it's clear the capacity of Simon Slieker extends beyond music. Yet it's music where his ultimate passion lies and it's through DJ'ing over the last 15 years he has made the biggest impact. Slieker now focuses on pushing the boundaries of dj'ing and creating the music he loves.
Seeing the possibilities available with the advent of new technology, Slieker has dismantled and reconfigured his own conception of what it means to be a dj.
Having spent 14 years as a dedicated devotee of vinyl, Simon has more recently experimented with CD's, moved across to the digital vinyl platform of traktor scratch and is now using the 4 sound source environment of the traktor engine with exernal midi control plus live turntables with traditional vinyl, providing a panoramic environment of layers and increased creative potential.
Herein lies the new frontier of dj'ing with mutliple sources and increased emphasis on looping functionality. Unafraid of this evolution, Slieker offers a vigorous rethink on the art of dj'ing.
"To me the gap between production and dj'ing is closing. I'm finding the work I do in the studio is mirroring what I do behind the decks and vice versa... It's an exciting and daunting time for the art of dj'ing, seeing it undergo such radical change. Yet to resist change is contrary to what the electronic music movement is about. So the question for me becomes: how do I incorporate the innovation without sacrificing the soul? I'm adjusting my approach, my paradigm, to include the new technology, but with a firm grip on the fluid aspects through which feeling and heart are conveyed."
There is always a sense of journey in Slieker's sets: insistent and intense yet sensitve to the subtle textures which allow breath. The throughline, a mesmerizing and hypnotic drive. Techno, minimal, progressive, tech house: all have their place in the Simon Slieker soundscape.
Slieker has been a stalwart on the Melbourne techno scene for some 15 years. Throughout this time he has been engaged weekly throughout Australia, New Zealand and as far afield as the US. Indicative of his diversity and wide ranging appeal is his gig profile; from major outdoor festivals to intimate underground clubs; supporting international headliners for high profile promoters to heading up events in his own right.
Simon has played the mainstage at Rainbow Serpent Festival, appearing there every year since 2004. He featured at Australia's seminal warehouse parties that became institutions: Every Picture Tells a Story, Hardware and Two Tribes.
Favourite residencies include: Ranibow Serpent Festival, Earthcore, Teriyaki Anarki Saki, SUB:mission, SuckerPunch, Revolver, Centriphugal, Escape, Thump, Protozoa, Chasers, Cynosure, Dancehall, Deep 11, CARNI, Sunny, Lectro, Technoir, Spin Cycle, Semi Retired, YFY.
Favourite artists played along side: Speedy J, Dave Clarke, Thomas Schumacher, Derek May, Woody Mc Bride, Green Velvet, Felix Da Housecat, Monica Kruse, Mathew Johnson, Chris Liebing, Josh Wink, Adam Beyer, Jeff Mills, Chemical Brothers.
Events
Amid touring & working on production Simon Slieker holds the following focus residencies.
- Gradient @ Miss Libertines, Melb City. Gradient is about building the night and progressing from the deeper lush end of the underground sound, it’s driving; always building; always changing. Gradient travels through a spectrum of genres within electronic music.
- Under Suspiscion @ Brown Alley, Melb CBD. Showcasing the lost artform of journeying through sound. Every saturday night.
For dates and details of all Simons shows please see the Upcoming Events page.
Music
Undone - Simon Slieker - June 2009 - Unsigned
Fore Sight - Simon Slieker - May 2009 - Unsigned
Rear Vision - Simon Slieker - June 2009 - Unsigned
If Nothing Changes, Nothing Changes - Digital Primate, Simon Slieker remix - Chase the Cat Records
Take That - Jurgen Paap - Simon Slieker vocal edit feat. Lil - Unreleased
Simon Slieker -DJ mix July 2009
Simon Slieker - @ Funktion 1 HQ - Live dj set September 2007
Simon Slieker - Music Downloads
Undone - Simon Slieker - June 2009 Download
Fore Sight - Simon Slieker - May 2009 Download
Rear Vision - Simon Slieker - June 2009 Download
Dj Simon Slieker @ Funktion 1 HQ September 2007 Download
Dj Simon Slieker - Preston - 27.07.09 Download
Image Downloads
Simon Slieker Bookings & Contact
Bookings International: lunchedout@yahoo.com.au
Bookings Local: bookings@monotremes.com
Website: www.monotremes.com
Myspace: www.myspace.com/djslieker
