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Yan Simon grew up in the dessert city of Be'er Sheva. His mom started teaching him piano when he was five, passing along a skill that her own mother taught her. A year later Yan started his formal musical education at the city's conservatory where he'd spend 7 years learning music theory, music history, piano, and singing in the choir, before moving to Canada.
Yan started writing pop ballads in his bedroom in his early high school years, having discovered and being in awe of artists like Lady Gaga and Elton John. It wasn't until Yan was in university that he was tasked with writing an 11-track score for an original musical play produced by a local community theatre. Yan's songs received an overwhelmingly positive response from the audience, which inspired Yan to pursue music as a songwriter.
This musical soundtrack is available for streaming here.
In the spring of 2019 Yan Simon started writing and recording his first studio album Are There Any Rules?.
Penned and composed by Yan, and produced by multidisciplinary musician Dima Graziani, Are There Any Rules? was released on all streaming platforms on August 1st, 2020.
The album features nine original tracks that chronicle a coming-of-age story. It deals with themes of coming out, insecurity, mental health, tragedy, and love.
Listen to Are There Any Rules? on your preferred streaming app here.
Are There Any Rules? is accompanied by an online immersive experience that Yan created to share his artistic process. The Experience includes lyrical breakdown, raw vocal recordings, early song drafts, exclusive downloads of instrumental tracks, and more. Delve into the making of this album here.
Are There Any Rules? is also available on CD and vinyl. You may place an order by contacting Yan Simon via email directly. Your order will include a collectible card, and a handwritten note from Yan. Your support is immensely appreciated.
In 2021 Yan Simon released an EP titled DAYDREAM, a short compilation comprised of reworked versions of two songs from Are There Any Rules? as well as a new, original piano composition.
Each track on DAYDREAM was recorded in a single take in order to present the two songs in the raw, emotional way in which they were conceived.
Stream DAYDREAM on your preferred streaming app here.
Hero marked a departure for Yan Simon from his previous work into a more polished synth-pop sound. Driven by the desire to showcase a different side to his artistry, Yan produced and directed a choreo filled music video for Hero which was filmed in downtown Toronto. Watch the Hero music video here.
"...By the time the song reaches the bridge, the mix has grown to a cinematic Pop/Rock wall of sound with Freddy Mercury-worthy choral vocal arrangements, a big rock beat and some rocking power chords." - The Static Dive
Hero was followed by the darker, introspective single Clear Lines. An internal monologue set to prismatic, haunting production, Clear Lines is about mental turmoil, and the struggle to be understood. It was accompanied by an art film directed and produced by Yan Simon and filmed by Videographer Izekh in Toronto's Tommy Thompson Park. Watch the Clear Lines music video here.
"...Yan Simon does it all with a restraint that is admirable when it could so easily have gone proper broadway and big stage musical. Arty stuff and a fine study by an artist who knows how to push our buttons." - mp3hugger
Hey Boy was inspired by Yan's own long-distance relationship. Featuring a melodic, catchy chorus, iconic trumpets, and heartfelt lyrics, Hey Boy is a true commercial pop record. This was Yan's first single to be played on a Toronto radio station (96.9FM), as well as on numerous internet radio stations.
Hey Boy was accompanied by a music video filmed in a tattoo shop that doubles as a photo-studio in Toronto's midtown.
Watch the Hey Boy music video here.
"The release has a ton of elements that show the artists knack for writing pop singles but it's the vocals that really shine on this one. There is a youthful gusto and energy that makes the song feel alive and breathing and it certainly leaves an impactful mark." - The Sounds Won't Stop
Six months after releasing Hey Boy Yan Simon came back with the electro-pop, 80's inspired Living in the Night.
The energetic, synth-heavy, up-tempo production of this track is juxtaposed with heartfelt, vulnerable lyrics about anxiety and depression.
"I wrote Living in the Night in a moment of true loneliness. I sat by my piano and reflected on how I often feel like an actor on stage who’s trying to hide what’s really going on behind the curtain. Writing this song was like pulling the curtain away". Stream Living in the Night here.
"The charismatic vocal tone builds enjoyably to a burst of guitar distortion, exuding a momentary rock-friendly charm into the ensuing continued synth-pop flair. There’s a variety of engaging twists and turns in the first minute alone.." - Obscure Sound
