Simian Mobile Disco

Simian Mobile Disco is a London-based electronic production and remix duo formed in 2005 from the remains of Simian. The group consists of James Ford and Jas Shaw and is active from 2005 to the present. Its sound sits within electro, electro house, tech house and techno, and it is also associated with electronic, dance, new rave and electronica.

Formation and early work

The project begins as a travelling DJ duo alongside the members’ early four-piece band Simian. As Simian Mobile Disco, the pair first issue a series of low-profile singles, including “The Count” on Kitsuné Music, before attracting wider attention through remixes for acts such as Muse, Klaxons, The Go! Team and Air.

One of the group’s early breakout tracks is “Hustler”, released by Kitsuné in 2006 and featuring a vocal from New York singer Char Johnson.

Style

The duo is known for tightly structured tracks that often use minimal instrumentation. A track usually centres on a repeated hook, either vocal or instrumental, and may include a breakdown built from noise, drums and sometimes synthesizers and vocals.

Albums and releases

The debut album, Attack Decay Sustain Release, appears on Wichita Recordings in June 2007. It includes “Hustler”, “Tits and Acid”, “I Believe”, “Hot Dog” and the lead single “It’s the Beat”, which features Ninja from The Go! Team on vocals. The album contains five new tracks, and the European edition includes a bonus disc. Before the album, the group issues two mix compilations for the “Bugged Out” and “Go Commando” series.

While working on a second studio album, the duo releases Sample and Hold, a collection of eleven remixed Simian Mobile Disco tracks. Their second studio album, Temporary Pleasure, is later announced with guest appearances from Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals, Alexis Taylor of Hot Chip, Beth Ditto of Gossip and Chris Keating of Yeasayer.

Remixing and collaborations

Simian Mobile Disco gains much of its reputation through remix work, alongside its own recordings. James Ford also works as a producer with artists including Arctic Monkeys, Peaches and Klaxons, which places the duo within a wider network of indie and electronic collaborations.

Live appearances and mixes

The group supports Klaxons at Brixton Academy and The Chemical Brothers at Aintree Pavilion and Brighton Centre in late 2007. It also records a mix for Mixmag that is distributed with the January 2008 issue of the magazine.

In early 2009 the duo releases new material including “Synthesise” and “10,000 Horses Can’t Be Wrong”, with accompanying videos and radio play, before the announcement of Temporary Pleasure.