Name: Bekah Simms
Nationality: Canadian
Occupation: Composer
Current Release: Bekah Simms’s Bestiaries is out via Centrediscs.
Recommendations: Alex Paxton – Music for Bosch People; Jordan Peele – Nope;
“When did you start writing/producing/playing music and what or who were your early passions and influences? What was it about music and/or sound that drew you to it?
I grew up in Newfoundland, where playing music (usually Irish-Newfoundland folk music) was an integral part of parties and social gatherings. It just seemed natural to be actively engaged with music both as a listener and a creator. Music was a community activity, not something that really required training or expertise.
As a teen, my musical interests were disparate and eclectic: I wanted to be a session flutist for metal bands, compose video game music, and perform in musical theatre as a singer/actor. None of these particular aspirations ended up panning out, but all of those influences are still foundational in some way.
I think the 21st-century listening experience – unfettered access to music from all eras, all areas (usually facilitated through online searching) – was what really drew me to composing in the way that I do. Eclectic listening resulted in eclectic composing for me, and I wouldn’t want it any other way…”
