At first glance, Simon Godfrey is a highly prolific songwriter and performer – after all, the Philadelphia-based Englishman masterminded such prominent progressive rock ensembles as TINYFISH and SHINEBACK, plus a more under-the-radar project TRIBE OF NAMES – yet, when one looks past collective efforts, the singing multi-instrumentalist issued only one proper platter credited to his own name, “Motherland” from 2014. In the decade which passed since then Simon released a joint record with his brother Jem and no less then four volumes of assorted pieces – some old, like outtakes and live cuts, and some new – so it’s about time Godfrey came forth with a second solo offering.
And he does, on August 30th on his Bandcamp page, and though initially “How I Was Defeated” – this is the title of Simon’s fresh album – will be out only for streaming and download options, if demand is enough, Simon is ready to flesh it out for physical variants. As for its theme, over to the artist who’s embarking on well, his motherland tour in September.
“We’re as much the product of our failures as we are our victories,” explains Godfrey. “‘How I Was Defeated’ is a scrapbook. A collection of tunes written over the past decade that each deal with the obstacles we throw in our own path. That self-sabotaging instinct that subtly shapes our lives without our conscious knowledge. Jealousy, perfectionism, a fear of disappointing the ones we love, and so on.”
How I Was Defeated
1. The Lake Out Of Town
2. Boatrace Day (acoustic version)
3. Here In The Dark
4. That Constant Girl
5. How I Was Defeated
6. Man Of Empty Promises
7. The Secret You Can Shout Out Loud
8. Dandelion
9. Boost And Float
10. Compass (full version)
