Scott Simons on SoundBetter

I’m very lucky to do a lot of different things in music. I’m on the music production team for America’s Got Talent, the music director of Little Big Shots, was on 3 seasons of X Factor USA, have my own band TeamMate, sing lead vocals on the Paw Patrol theme and have written, produced and toured with acts!

Piano is my main instrument so naturally synths and keys are my strength. I’ve worked on the music production teams and have played piano live on many TV shows including America’s Got Talent, X Factor and Little Big Shots. Live and in the studio I’ve played for artists including Leona Lewis, Drake Bell (Nickelodeon), Carolina Liar, Rooney, Chris Mann (The Voice) and Wet Hot American Summer live.

As a songwriter/producer I’ve written songs for EDM acts Dirty Vegas, Daddy’s Groove, Razihel and R&B singer/songwriter Allen Stone. I co-wrote the 2011 Eurovision winning song by German artist Lena and “Smoke” for Holland Idol’s Lisa Lois. I’ve had a song sampled by Wiz Khalifa and I’ve had multiple TV placements including in shows like Riverdale & Stitchers, commercials for DKNY, SuperBock beer, ESPN and NBC.

As a singer, I perform the lead vocals for Paw Patrol on Nickelodeon as well as background vocals on Duck Tales, Veggie Tales and The Thundermans. I also co-wrote and sang the theme for Esquire network’s Lucky Bastards and sang backgrounds on an episode of This Is Us.

My solo cover of “Umbrella” went viral in 2008 and my band TeamMate was recently nominated for Best Recording Created for TV by the 2018 Guild of Music Supervisors Awards.

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Interview with Scott Simons

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I work in Pro Tools. Various plugins for programming.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Finishing some new music for my own project. Doing some radio imaging for pop radio stations in Europe. My 6th season on the music production team of America's Got Talent.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I promise I will listen and truly try to get what you want.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Have a good idea of what you want because this kind of stuff can be so subjective. Give good references and articulate your likes and dislikes and shop around!
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: I'm not a big gear guy... But I'd definitely bring a pair of Sony 7506's to listen to everything on.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I've been doing this for 20 something years. Started in a power pop band called The Argument that was sorta like Weezer meets Ben Folds 5 meets Jellyfish. Toured the states a bunch. Started writing for others. Moved to LA 10 years ago. Started a new artist synth pop artist project called TeamMate. I've been working on TV shows like X Factor and America's Got Talent as part of the production team for 9 seasons. I also randomly get hired to sing on cartoons like the theme song for Paw Patrol on Nickelodeon.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Paul McCartney. Because... It's f-in' Sir Paul.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: You know more than you think you know. Trust your experience and taste that you've developed. There is no right or wrong.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I think I bring an overall songwriter ear to a song. I can do top line or track but I'm good at "zooming out" and shaping a song in a classic sense. Production wise, I bring a lot of tasty 80's-influenced synths, as well as modern sounds. As a pianist, I'm good a Chris Martin-y kind of parts that are simple but cool.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Oh man... so many artists, writers and producers to mention that I love.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Most often I play piano, program synths or do production or additional production to help collaborators finish projects.