Seraphina Simone
Seraphina Simone epitomizes being a fresh sound on the music scene. The artist only released her first single, “Cherry <8,” on June 5th, 2020. However, with only one song out, the artist has still managed to amass over 22k Spotify streams, as well as earn herself places on Spotify’s top playlists, such as “Fresh Finds” and “Fresh Finds: Indie”. Seraphina’s music offers a distinct vibe; a unique blend of vintage synths, hauntingly beautiful harmonies, and top notch vocals. For the London native, musical talent runs in the family— her father, best known as Terence Trent D’Abry, is a multi-platinum selling pop artist. Simone may have only just gotten her start, but is certainly bound to be an immanent force in the future of music. We recently spoke with the up and coming artist about her musical origins, time spent out of the studio, and more!
How did you get started making music?
My dad's a musician and had some success in the 80s, so music was always just around or happening growing up. Like I remember being in LA with my dad as a kid, and he had to go meet a friend quickly to pick something up, and the friend turned out to be Madonna— but I was like 9 at the time so it kind of registered but also kind of didn't. But I guess subconsciously I grew up with this feeling that musicians were my family, and felt like they were my tribe, even before I was making music myself. It took me a minute to actually commit to it though, I think I was too scared to fail so I just hovered around the music industry on the business side for a bit before realizing I was kidding myself and had to at least try or I'd go mad.
It’s collab time: Who are you choosing to make a song with?
David Lynch or Natasha Khan of Bat for Lashes. Or both together. God that would be epic. Also James Ford and Ariel Rechtshaid because between them they've produced an insane amount of my favorite artists. Also Naomi McPherson from MUNA because she's such a badass and I love their sound.
Dream venue?
I sang backing vocals for Robyn at Alexandra Palace last year and that was pretty mind-blowing, so to headline there would be a dream. Also the Hollywood Forever Cemetery and Hollywood Bowl in LA.
Favorite non-music activities?
Reading, but a lot of the books I read are about music or musicians so maybe that doesn't count... I'm a bit of a pagan and love being in nature, so being somewhere that feels elemental - the woods, the beach, by a lake. Throw in some mates and the classiest bottom shelf boxed wine and we're talking. Maybe I'll bring my tarot cards and freak people out.
Which of your songs was your favorite to record and why?
That's tough. I don't even think I can answer, it's like asking me to choose my fav body part lol. Three of the tracks coming out I initially co-produced with my ex, and we went to this amazing studio in Woolwich that was like an Aladdin's cave of instruments. Just being there and trying all these different sounds and experimenting was awesome. There was a Rhodes which I adore, so I put it in EVERYTHING. I'm definitely not Marie Kondo when it comes to production, I'm a full-on maximalist.
Any future projects that fans can look forward to?
I've got a few more releases planned for the year so keep an ear out for new music... I'm also in another project called TRILLS and we're planning on putting a single out this year, but it's kind of in corona-limbo right now. We wrote it in LA with a producer called Boom Bip and were finishing in London with John and Ned from Franc Moody, but quarantine kind of halted everything.
Who do you owe your biggest thanks to?
My mum. She basically raised me and has always been supportive of all the mad tangents that have led me here.
