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Biography

Simon Hanson's career in sound engineering has spanned more than 35 years. Initially as guitarist and vocalist with the band "Omen" (Click here to listen to a three track demo), he took on the responsibility of managing the band's PA system. In 1976 after a chance meeting in a music shop Simon secured the job of engineer with "John Otway and Wild Willy Barrett" (John Otway) touring the UK and Europe, as well as being credited as a musician on their "Deep and Meaningless" album (…if you can call a fire extinguisher an instrument!!!).

In 1979 he joined up as sound engineer with a jazz funk outfit "Stikki Stuff" spending two years on the UK circuit. Through '81 and '82 the band toured with Level 42, Shakatak, Shalamar, Light of the World and the UK Players. Of course with Simon providing all their audio engineering needs.

For the next several years Simon freelanced, doing live sound for many bands and live events. Then in 1989 he teamed up with his trusted friends Adrian Smith and Paul Moore to open the "Blue Note Jazz Club" in Hemel Hempstead (Blue Note) followed a few years later by the "Red Note Jazz Club" in St Albans, "Junction 5" in Watford, "The Boogie & Blues Club" in Hemel Hempstead and "The Jazz Works" in Hove. Simon always ensured that the clubs provided the best in terms of audio equipment and audio Quality. Personally overseeing the gigs, to ensure his stringent standards were consistently met.

During 2005/6 Simon relocated from the South East of England to Cumbria and established his new company "ImoProductions" which along with many other things has mixed and mastered the Cumbrian band Sonic Tradition's latest album (sonictradition). He also engineered the live sound for Welfare State International's "Longline: The Carnival Opera" (Guardian review, Welfare State International).

2007 has brought Simon new challenges and successes including working with Andy Jupp, a.k.a. the "Charityshop dj" (Charityshopdj), and for the first time he ventured into the world of Engineering for FM broadcast at this years Solfest music festival (Solfest), with "Solfest fm". Broadcasting live for three days to a 15 mile radius around the festival site from the live stages along with live acoustic sessions and interviews with performers and artists including "Badly Drawn Boy".

2008 Simon took time out in the early part of the year to travel to a small village in India and teach in a local school (Check out the 'Madla School' tab here). This year "Solfest fm" was even bigger and better than last year and edited highlights can be listened to at the solfestfm website. Simon has also been working with local artist Dan Fox and demonstrated Dan's 'Interactive Body Suits' (a MIDI based radio linked, audio visual performance art concept) at a 'Art Locates Me' function held at the Lantern House International facility in Cumbria.

2009 Along with the usual mixing, mastering and post production work, Simon was asked to put his old 'Front of House' engineers hat back on to do some live work with the very exciting Balkanics Band. Simon was also involved in the Initiative Arts 'Pre-Vent' venture, a temporary installation of an audio visual arts project in a vacant town centre shop, where students of Accrington Academy and people in the street talked about community and extremism. Again this year Solfest fm broadcast live festival highlights to the surrounding area. During September and October Simon went on a six week road trip in the Indian Himalayas with his good friend Andy Jupp a.k.a. the "Charityshop dj" (Charityshopdj) as part of a pilot project using music to bridge cultural boundaries.

2010 First job of the year...mastering Cumbrian band Wierdstring's latest album. Then more of the usual "bread and butter" work. Simon has laso ventured into the world of video this year with a commission to edit a short promotional film for the Bombay Picture Palace.

Again Simon moves into another new field as Production Manager for Dan Fox's latest street theatre production "Adrift" which is funded by the Arts Council and Lakes Alive.

2011 Just a few highlights

Boom Bike gig in Preston for More Music

Quadrophonic sound system for a gig as part of the FON festival organised by the Octopus collective.

An all day live mobile webcast of "The Commentators" for the AND Festival

Recording 5 tracks by the Boom Bike Big Band at the More Music Hot House facility

Providing audio enhancement for "Childs Play" a musical play written by Kinks singer Ray Davies CBE. Also providing audio feeds for the film crew (interview with Ray, Video of play) and the BBC (see review)

2012 Just a few highlights

Taking part in the Sci-Fi-London 48 Hour Film Challenge with Dreamtime Film. Boom mic and audio editing assistant. "The Dial".

Various "Boom Bike" gigs.....Stoke 100 Community parade organised by B-Arts & Preston carabian carnival

Wirless headphone Battle of preston reanactment

Festival No. 6....Supporting Sound Intervention Installing 5 sound sculptures and a mobile PA system

2013 A few highlights

Recorded a three song demo for Little Island

Installed a quadraphonic PA system for the Octopus Collectives Full Of Noises (FON) 2013 concert at the Nines in Barrow in Furness

Worked with Sound Intervention to install Howling Wire at Beacons Festival

Working with local Cumbrian singer song writer Rita Baugh. Mixing and mastering her debut album Housework which includes a track produced by Ken Stringfellow (REM). See her winning The Furness Building Society Charity Challenge (great intro....!!).

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