My Music – Simon Gardner Music

I invite you to turn up the volume and have listen to some of my music right here on the website! It is available for purchase on all the major streaming platforms and on my Bandcamp page.

You Know Why I Asked You Here (11/8/21)

“You Know Why I Asked You Here” was originally inspired by the documentary “Vikings”. I initially called the track “Greenfields” but as it developed I felt that the Viking battle/face off is really just a metaphor for any challenge that life throws at us or any challenge you have set for yourself. Main equipment was a 07′ VOS 58 PT Gibson Les Paul, 06′ Fender Tele Deluxe, Ibanez Universe and RG plugged into a Mesa Mark V 90 watt head and Lonestar 2 x 12 Cab. Drums by Darren Muller and guest keys, Derek Sherinian. Mixed by Dan Spirovski and Mastered by Matt Grey Mastering.

Awake Reprise (2018)

https://open.spotify.com/album/7G6ss2eMrEnhdYxrAFp08I?highlight=spotify:track:6oFwRGDGCtRODLvsIxq0mQ

This piece was written as a reflection on a piece by New Zealand Band, Ticket called “Awake” as a part of PHD project for Australian guitar great, Tim Gaze. The song “Awake” originally appears in an a film called “Morning of the Earth” and is an iconic Australian surf film. The spirit of Jimi and Jimmy is strong throughout my reflection in this tune to capture the feeling of the water and the timeless melancholy of the sea. I used my Strat Deluxe and Les Paul. Drums by David Atkins. Mixed by Dan Spirovski and mastered by Mathew Gray Mastering.

And So It Goes… (2015)

All the guitars, bass and keyboards for “And So It Goes..” were recorded at Simon Gardner Music in Hendra. My approach was simple, I would use anything I had to get the sound I was after. This menat I used everything from my trusty old Boss GT 10 to a Kemper but the majority of the sounds were a mic’d Mesa Lonestar 100 or Marshall 6100 30th Anniversary. I used all of my guitars but the predominant ones being a 2005 Ibanez Universe, ’58 Gibson Les Paul VOS, Fender Deluxe Strat, Tele and Custom Classic. Acoustics were a Guild 12 String, Fender Dobro and Maton 808 Players Choice.
The drums were tracked by David Atkins at Hydrofunk Recording Studio in Mullimbimby as was the mixing and mastering.
Album Artwork by Ian Shawsmith at Shaw Creative and cover photography by Robert Shakespeare.
Drums: David Atkins, Keyboards: Michael Hynes

Choose Your Own Adventure (2010)

My first time working with a producer, I had a definite outcome in mind for Choose Your Own Adventure. My goal was to create songs in the mould of The Shadows but with the energy and power of heavier bands such as Led Zeppelin. Most of the soloing was composed and I worked to deliver a concise a performance as possible.
Having Magoo produce the album was a very new, enjoyable and enriching learning experience. The guitar, drums and bass sounds are superb and although different from my previous(and current) albums, I feel that CYOA has moments that crystalize what I am working towards achieving as a melodic composer. I also feel the drums and bass are played quite beautifully by Glen and Tommy!
Recorded at Applewood Lane Studio
Produced and Mixed by Lachlan “Magoo” Goold
Mastered by Matthew Grey Mastering
Drums: Glen Baker
Bass: Tommy Hynes
Keys: Michael Hynes
Cover Art: Michael Hoad @ Shaw Creative and Cover photography by Duane Hart

The Dragon (2005)

This album took a few attempts to get recorded! I abandoned it twice as I was not getting what I thought I wanted sound wise…but really that says more about my neurosis than the anything else! I am very happy with the energy and power on this recording and I am also still in love with some of the compositions! There are moments on any recording where you feel that you really get out what it is you heard in your head and this album definitely has quite a few of those for me.
All of the melodies were a Fender Custom Classic Strat and Fender Twin Amp through the Cube of Silence with the remainder being a PRS Custom 24, Marshall TSL 100 and Fender Cyber Twin.
Drums, Bass, rhythm guitars and keyboards recorded at Airlock Studio by Jason “Argonaut” Gendrolius
Lead and FX guitars recorded at Goodwood Street Studio
Mastered by Dave Neil
Album Cover Layout Liam French, Cover Art Silvana Gardner and photography by Rob McQueen
Drums: Scott Lynch
Keyboards/Wurlitzer: Matt Murphy

Sketches (2002)

“Sketches” is definitely one of my favourite ever recordings. I recorded it by myself from start to finish at my Goodwood Street Studio under no pretences other than making a beautiful and ethereal sounding record. The guitar of choice for this recording was a Yamaha AEX 1500 plugged into a TL Audio valve pre amp direct into a DIGI 001. The nylon string was a Takamine.
Recorded and Mixed at Goodwood Street Studio
Mastered at Grevillea Recording Studios
Drums on “Friends”: Scott Lynch
Bass on “Friends”: Anthony Dawkins

Big Sky (1994)

My first solo album! After my band “Brasilia” broke up, I decided I would pursue my dream of doing my own instrumental records. I had a wealth of material, I loved big progressive and heavy sounding arrangements so I enlisted the help of Dave Atkins on drums and Chris Bosley on bass to record this epic adventure! The album itself took 6 days to record and 3 days to mix and master at Grevillea Record Studios. The main guitar was a white Ibanez Universe but I also used a Jackson Soloist and Takamine acoustics. The amp was an ADA MP 1, Carver PM 600 power amp through a Seymour Duncan quad box. It was relatively early days for ADAT tape machines and to get the number tracks we needed for some of the tunes, we synced it to a Studer 24 track tape machine…..it was a first for me in so many ways….a wonderful life experience!
Recorded at Grevillea Recording Studios
Drums: David Atkins
Bass: Chris Bosley
Saxophone: Mike Hall
Spoken Words: Silvana Gardner, Andy MacDonnell and Richard Williams

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