THE DEBUT SOLO ALBUM FROM SIMON WARD
SIMON AND THE ISLAND OUT NOW
VIA WINDSURFER RECORDS / GLASSNOTE MUSIC

“His candour is reflected across confessional lyrics and raw, sweeping soundscapes that put emotional honesty at the fore. That open heartedness has always been a hallmark of Ward’s songwriting, as well as exquisite prose that illustrates the things that are the hardest to articulate…” – Montecristo Magazine
 
“Within the dark times we face, there is always a glimmer of hope shining through. 
His riveting release beautifully displays that sentiment… Ward has embarked on his solo journey creating music with so much heart. His songs are so organic and raw contrasting the style of The Strumbellas. This body of work possesses that same bare nature.” – Earmilk

TORONTO, ON – December 9, 2021 – Today, Simon and the Island (a.k.a. Simon Ward), shares the music video for Lighthouse – watch here.
 
Appearing on the self-titled debut release – Simon and the Island (out now via Ward’s own imprint, Windsurfer Records [Canada] / Glassnote Music [ROW]) – Lighthouse closes out the record as a symbolic beacon – a source of guidance, something close yet far, reminding us the shore is always in sight and in reach no matter how rough the waters. “How am I supposed to give, in a world where I’ve been so down? How am I supposed to live, in a world that’s so turned around?” Ward laments. “Maybe I should come home. Maybe all that glitters ain’t gold. Maybe it’s just a dream.”
 
The stunning visual perfectly captures the sense of longing, hopefulness and raw emotion that pours out of the song. Filmed with director, Christopher Warre Smets, and producer, Joe Kresta (Set Or Sail), the video features dancer, Murphy MacDonald-Rea, giving a mesmerizing performance as Ward treks along the blustery shoreline – both solitary, but seemingly connected by a shared wistfulness.
 
“When Simon and his manager, Jo, presented us with the concept for Lighthouse, right away I thought, ‘we should film this in Cobourg’.
 
My family and I lived in Cobourg for a few years, and there’s a famous lighthouse there, with a massive wharf leading out to it, and on a windy day, the waves off the lake can get really huge. Simon’s song is an anthemic combination of grace and turmoil, and I thought seeing him performing it out there on the wharf, with the lake churning and surging behind him, would be an incredible way to evoke all that emotion. 
 
We were just so lucky that the weather co-operated the way it did. As our colourist Troy said, ‘You guys really captured some magic that day.’ The lake was wild. At times, it felt like we were filming for National Geographic. And Simon got a wave full in the face just as we were almost finished his last, best take. But he just laughed, even though it was freezing out — he’s an amazing trouper, and I think his performance in this is so raw and beautiful.
 
The same goes for our dancer, Murphy Macdonald-Rea, who also choreographed the piece herself. The only direction I gave her was, ‘Don’t be afraid to let it get ugly.’ I love what she came up with, and I love how well it integrates with what Simon did. And our cinematographer, Rob Scarborough, filmed it all with an actual black-and-white camera. It was a perfect choice — it really brought out the stark beauty of everything. I think the whole experience of making Lighthouse’ was a special one for all of us.”  

Listen to Simon and The Island here
Watch the video for Muse here
 
DOWNLOAD – hi-res photo | DOWNLOAD – album artwork

ABOUT SIMON AND THE ISLAND A.K.A. SIMON WARD
Simon Ward’s musical monogram is marked by his knack for camouflaging a downhearted song within a cleverly constructed poppy tune.  Oftentimes, listeners will be singing at the top of their lungs and dancing along, when they suddenly realize the rawness that courses through the lyrics, making the music all that more relatable. Distinct from his work with The Strumbellas, with Simon and the Island, Ward purposefully chooses to air his songs in their raw, undressed state.  The Brian Pickett produced, self-titled body of music simultaneously draws tears, inspires hope and illuminates a journey. A sliver of solace in dark times, emboldened in blind faith and brazen determination, the album is relatable, relevant, and resonant, strong and structured, honest, humble and full of heart. Delicate strings, cavernous piano, and sparingly appointed instrumentation allow doubt, reflection and resolve to flourish in this suitcase that carries nine songs waiting to be unpacked. 
 
In his day job as principal songwriter and frontman of The Strumbellas, Simon, along with the five other members on stage, engulf sad songs with big, glorious sounds. Ward’s cut deep to-the-bone realism is evident in every song he pens.  He openly, and with great abandon, espouses what so many of us aren’t able to say out loud.  In particular, the song, Spirits, that plucked his band, The Strumbellas, from middle of nowhere obscurity and placed them on the world stage, clearly struck a chord.  It’s honest ambling through a troubled mind that led, and continues to lead, thousands of people to confess to Ward how he spoke directly to their pain and comforted them.  Exercising the demons through song is evident in so many of his songs over the four full length albums the band has created, including crowd favourites We Don’t Know, Salvation, and their latest, Greatest Enemy.  It’s earned him Juno Awards, gold and platinum records, number one radio hits, festival plays and late-night TV appearances.