Bio
Kim
Simpson isn't easy to sum up in a snap. He's an independent folk
musician, first of all, who records singer-songwriter and solo
fingerstyle guitar music, hosts a folk music radio show on Austin's
KOOP-FM called The International Folk Bazaar,
turns up for local gigs with his acoustic guitar and multilingual
repertoire, and toured China last year as a performer and speaker on
American folk music. But he also pumps out rock 'n' roll recordings with
side projects like the Mad Dukes and the Head Counts.
On top of this, Kim's a writer and a cultural studies scholar. He holds an American Studies Ph.D. from the University of Texas and is under contract with Continuum for an upcoming book about radio formatting in the early '70s. He's taught university courses in pop music, writes about it in publications like American Music, Pop Matters and his own blog, Boneyard Media, and served as a consultant for the Peabody Award-winning rockabilly radio documentary Whole Lotta Shakin'.
A dual American/Finnish citizen, Kim grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he developed a strong following as a solo performer. Shortly after moving to Austin in the early '90s, Music City Texas (now 3rd Coast Music) referred to him as "one of the very best of the younger generation of singer- songwriters." Starting in the late '90s, Simpson took an extended break from music to finish his Ph.D. at UT.
In 2006, Kim dove back into music, recording the debut album of The Mad Dukes - his then-hypothetical group - by himself (The Mad Dukes Sing and Play for You), after which he assembled a lineup for live appearances. The album received nationwide airplay on independent radio, with the single "Looking for That Girl" reaching no. 1 on the Los Angeles-based New Music Weekly "Hot AC" chart. The group was named the "AC New Group of 2006" by the publication, and the Austin Chronicle listed The Mad Dukes Sing and Play for You as one of the year's notable local releases.
Always exploring his musical interests and abilities, Kim feeds his songwriting passion by maintaining a steady studio schedule and making a generous amount of what he does available on his website. He lives in Austin with his wife, two boys, and thirteen pets, and keeps on following the creative muse wherever it leads him.
On top of this, Kim's a writer and a cultural studies scholar. He holds an American Studies Ph.D. from the University of Texas and is under contract with Continuum for an upcoming book about radio formatting in the early '70s. He's taught university courses in pop music, writes about it in publications like American Music, Pop Matters and his own blog, Boneyard Media, and served as a consultant for the Peabody Award-winning rockabilly radio documentary Whole Lotta Shakin'.
A dual American/Finnish citizen, Kim grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he developed a strong following as a solo performer. Shortly after moving to Austin in the early '90s, Music City Texas (now 3rd Coast Music) referred to him as "one of the very best of the younger generation of singer- songwriters." Starting in the late '90s, Simpson took an extended break from music to finish his Ph.D. at UT.
In 2006, Kim dove back into music, recording the debut album of The Mad Dukes - his then-hypothetical group - by himself (The Mad Dukes Sing and Play for You), after which he assembled a lineup for live appearances. The album received nationwide airplay on independent radio, with the single "Looking for That Girl" reaching no. 1 on the Los Angeles-based New Music Weekly "Hot AC" chart. The group was named the "AC New Group of 2006" by the publication, and the Austin Chronicle listed The Mad Dukes Sing and Play for You as one of the year's notable local releases.
Always exploring his musical interests and abilities, Kim feeds his songwriting passion by maintaining a steady studio schedule and making a generous amount of what he does available on his website. He lives in Austin with his wife, two boys, and thirteen pets, and keeps on following the creative muse wherever it leads him.
Press "Strong songwriting with a sense of humor." —ADD Reviews "Tasteful and lively...Simpson plays his guitar with a touching and even-tempered style that is sure to make you smile." —Minor 7th "Kim Simpson is not just promising, he's already there ... Terrific acoustic guitar picking and a light, smooth voice ... One of the very best of the younger generation of singer-songwriters." —Music City Texas "Impeccable." —Austin Chronicle "Infectiously melodic." —NPR "High intensity acoustic guitar playing and brooding vocals ... Simpson achieves his own unique blend of poetry and power." —Dirty Linen "Get ready for the Mad Dukes. They are off and running and set to take over the music planet." —New Music Weekly "Kim Simpson takes the art of weaving lyrics and guitar to a different level." —College Times "His songs and performances consistently rank in the upper reaches of amazing." —Fade |
