Toronto-born, Los Angeles-based artist Nicole Simone has released her debut full-length album, Circles, via Soul Spazm. The singer-songwriter, who splits her time between the two cities, made the record while dealing with the Los Angeles wildfires, which forced her to evacuate and spend a month in Arizona.
According to the announcement, Circles explores themes of liminality across relationships and places, with cities including London, Barcelona and Los Angeles figuring into the songwriting. The title track, written at her kitchen counter, became the album’s anchor point, and Simone says the record marks less a reinvention than a return to her artistic identity. Standout tracks include “Chateau,” inspired by a view of the Chateau Marmont from her apartment roof and described as an homage to Interpol and The Strokes, and “Suit Undone,” which nods to Crowded House.
The album was produced by Billy Lefler and tracked at Death Star Records, with live drumming and vintage instrumentation. Simone’s dog Indie, a rescue from the charity she founded, Redemption Paws, was present for every recording session and died the week the album was released. Outside of music, Simone is also a filmmaker and writer, and Redemption Paws says it has rescued more than 4,000 dogs and contributed to changes in Canadian federal animal welfare law.
Based on a press release provided to Music Industry Weekly by Eric Alper, thatericalper.com.