NEW E.P. available now: ako0.bandcamp.com/album/lxxxix
"...a talent already attracting significant attention across the region and beyond. His dark and immersive take on house and IDM is foreboding but also curiously beautiful – think a cleaned up version of Salem, or Boards of Canada if they went over to the dark side." NARC.
Electronic musician and producer Simeon Soden, working as ako, takes the ground breaking 80s minimal wave and infuses their expansive, synthetic soundscapes with the groove of contemporary EDM. The awkward beats and tension of witch house are also a recurring theme, as are techno and IDM. Avoiding the usual clichés of dance and creating something new and thought provoking that explores complex rhythms and minimalism. Ako performs live AV sets regularly (including Northern Electric Festival, NARC. Fest, Evolution Emerging and a session on BBC Introducing), using projections, VHS footage and modified games consoles. His music has also been broadcast on BBC Introducing and Amazing Radio. Simeon Soden is also a founding member of Kaneda Records and collaborates in several other projects including Mausoleums.
Key influences include Com Truise, Salem, Clams Casino, Crystal Castles, New Order, Martin Dupont, Aphex Twin as well as vintage and analogue hardware that is part of ako’s unique sound.
Simeon studied Music Technology at Birmingham City University and a Masters in Music at Newcastle University.