inQUIZitive: SIMMS

A key name in the wave of rising artists pushing jungle into its new era, North West London based multi-hyphenate SIMMS is carving out a completely unique lane for himself.  Seamlessly blending a sense of deep nostalgia with a modern, impactful club-ready approach, his futuristic sound cross-pollinates R&B, garage, and classic jungle.

Fresh off the release of his debut EP ‘Traversal Tapes’, SIMMS is quickly building a cult-like following. From gaining heavy support across the scene from the likes of SHERELLE, Nia Archives, and Shy FX to finding a fan in Tyler, The Creator, he's proving to be one of the most exciting young innovators of his generation.

We sat down with the producer, DJ, and graphic designer to discuss the world-building behind his music, his creative process, and why he'll never settle on just one sound.

You’ve just announced your debut EP 'Traversal Tapes'. What does this project represent for you at this point in your journey, and how does it expand on what you’ve been building so far?

This project is a culmination of my earliest musical influences, establishing a baseline for what’s to come. I wanted to capture the energy of early atmospheric staples from the early 2000s while also emulating the feeling of sub heavy, club ready, jungle tracks of the current decade.

'Perpetual Motion' feels like a track that’s constantly evolving and never standing still. What was the original concept or feeling you were trying to capture when you started working on it?

The aim of the project was to capture the essence of movement through dance music. I wanted to create an atmospheric track that let the dance floors breathe between the deep and dark sides of the genre.

Your sound sits between a lot of different worlds - garage, jungle, R&B, ambient and more. How do you approach blending these influences without losing a sense of identity in your production?

I could never lose my sense of identity through my influences since it’s the combination of those very influences which make up my identity to begin with. I often have to remind myself that dance music alone isn’t what shapes my sound, remembering to look at music through a wide lens for the most part. I grew up listening to a lot of old drum n’ bass in addition to plenty of pop, soul and rock from the 90s and early 2000s and continue to expand on those interests everyday.

You mentioned growing up on everything from old drum n’ bass to pop, soul and rock from the 90s and early 2000s. Across 'Traversal Tapes', those influences feel reinterpreted through a very modern lens. How important was it for you to create something that feels nostalgic at its core, while still pushing the sound into new territory?

I don’t think nostalgia was my intention, but naturally through the themes I explored in the project, both sonically and visually, people were reminded of previous eras of music and culture. Pushing the sound into new territory has always been important to me, more eyes on music means more people in the clubs!

There’s a strong visual identity running alongside your music, including your own graphic design work. How important is world-building across both sound and visuals in what you’re creating?

The visual aspect of my work will always be equally important to the music. I've been a graphic designer longer than I’ve been a DJ so I’ve always valued the importance of cohesive visual content alongside a good song. I will continue to showcase my own design work through my music projects going forward!

Your music often feels both club-ready and emotionally textured at the same time. How do you balance functionality for the dancefloor with more expressive, introspective elements?

I have a deep love for the more soulful, atmospheric side of jungle & drum n’ bass, but in the dance, it’s the deep subs and rapid breaks that keep me moving. I want to capture the energy of both ends of the spectrum through my songs.

You’ve had support from a wide range of influential names across the scene, from SHERELLE and Nia Archives to Shy FX and even Tyler, The Creator. How do you process that kind of recognition while continuing to develop your own path?

It’s been an honour to gain recognition from respected musicians across all different scenes, I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to directly interacting with the people who I’ve looked up to for a large part of my life. While I value those moments very deeply, I still have a huge local community of extremely talented artists, DJs and creatives who endlessly inspire me.

With more eyes now on your work and recognition coming from some huge names, do you ever feel pressure to preserve what people already love about your sound - or are you more interested in disrupting expectations and continuing to evolve, even if it takes listeners somewhere unexpected?

I don’t think the goal has ever been to settle on one sound. I’m relatively new to production and I think that my current sound could still develop on a multitude of ways. I'm always open to working with new people in new environments and with that may come some unexpected sounds.

First track you ever produced?

There’s a flip of ‘Would You Mind’ by Brandy on my SoundCloud I made about 3 years ago.

First DJ set you ever played?

My 18th birthday party in Portugal.

First time you realised your sound was connecting with people?

I was in a bar in hackney about a year ago, and someone came up to me and said they had one of my earlier tracks on their USB. That meant a lot to me, at the time I hadn’t processed the idea that real people were playing my music outside of my immediate circles.

First major moment of recognition in your career?

Probably after my first time on Balamii back in 2023, there were a lot of moments from my former residency that meant a lot to me.

What defines SIMMS’ rapid ascent in the underground isn't just his ability to resurrect the golden era of atmospheric jungle - it’s his refusal to be confined by it. By treating visual art and sonic production as two halves of the same creative identity, he is building an entire universe that feels both deeply textured and raw enough for any dancefloor.

Whether he’s collaborating with future-soul vocalists, laying down heavy subs, or designing his own artwork, SIMMS is driven by a restless desire to keep things moving forward. With 'Traversal Tapes' and Passionfruit Records marking a definitive new chapter, he is effortlessly blurring the lines between London’s club culture and its wider creative landscape.

If this next phase is anything to go by, SIMMS isn't just riding the new wave of electronic music—he’s actively shaping where it goes next.