He calls himself a New Yorklander. Having lived in New York since 2008, Simon Spire has found familiarity amongst the bustle of Brooklyn and its spirited streets, his love of the city making it feel like a place he can call home outside of his native New Zealand. It is also the city that inspired the writing of his second full-length album, Four-Letter Words, recorded in a nearby Manhattan studio.
“I’m always interested in where humanity is going, and for that reason I love being in New York – I’ve often thought of it as being at the forefront of the continuing cultural evolution,” says Simon. “In that sense, I want to be part of a new vision, taking part in where we’re going next. I wanted Four-Letter Words to be relevant not just on a personal level, but also collectively.”
It was 2008 when his debut album, All Or Nothing, established the Auckland-born singer/songwriter as a diverse talent with the ability to skip between energetic powerpop, rock’n'roll and lush balladry. His sincere songwriting style and earnest vocals combined to make songs that were engagingly personal and impressively crafted, while also providing a platform to showcase his unique guitar styling.