Conversations with Jacob Simons

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacob Simons

Hi Jacob, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My name is Jacob T. Simons. I am a songwriter and recording artist from Grand Rapids, Michigan. I have been playing original music around West Michigan for the past decade and change, encompassing the din of post-punk and noise rock in my salad days and, more recently, traditionally rooted rock/folk music. Currently, I serve as the leader and custodian of the contemporary rock collective Moon Orchids. Our sound has been described as “cinematic” and as “slowcore Americana,” with the folk rock, indie rock, and alt-country genre tags also commonly applied.

I formed Moon Orchids in the summer of 2021 with my friends Bailey Miller (Blood at Ease) and Morgan Keltie. I had a modest batch of songs I’d written throughout the COVID-19 lockdown, and I wanted to form a new band to serve as the vehicle for them. We were all friends who knew each other through previous endeavors in the West Michigan music scene, so it was easy to get together and start playing. We began as a semi-acoustic trio; I played 12-string acoustic guitar, Bailey played electric guitar, and Mo played trumpet. This lineup recorded the 4-song EP Skin/Skein at Brendon Infante’s (Due Dither, Stalagmite, Terry Chomato, Blood at Ease, etc.) home studio (he also played drums on the EP), which was released in January 2023.

Brendon joined the group shortly afterward, and Jeremy Cronk (Lucius Fox, Celestial, Due Dither) soon came on board as our bass guitarist as well. This quintet became the new core group, and, after a few well-received shows in the area, we got to work recording our self-titled full-length album, which was released in February 2025. I relocated to Boulder, Colorado, in June 2024, where my wife and I now reside. In and around Boulder, I have continued to play the music of Moon Orchids as well as several new compositions, and I look forward to becoming more acquainted with the rich and lively local music scene here.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Making music itself has always felt fairly effortless. I guess that’s not totally true because you have to challenge yourself constantly and learn to be a good self-editor, but I mean that it’s never felt especially laborious or cumbersome to me. I enjoy honing my songcraft and dreaming of arrangements to flesh out a skeletal sequence of chords. Self-promotion can become tiresome, especially in the era of algorithms and “reach” mindset, but I acknowledge that it is a necessary evil in the process of making sure your work reaches as many ears as possible, which is important if you plan to be in this business for the long haul.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My work with Moon Orchids is among my proudest achievements to date, and I have a lot of love for this group. The new album, released on February 3, 2025, was recorded from January 2023 through June 2024 in between a couple of us finishing undergrad and juggling various other commitments. Most of the songs were cut live in the studio as a full band. Multi-instrumentalist Mark Andrew Morris (Overly Polite Tornadoes, Tambourina) joined us for many of these, and saxophonist Isaac Bagley came in for a few sessions as well. Most of the overdubs were done at Brendon’s house, and many of the acoustic tracks were done by Brendon and Mark as well. We finished the last batch of overdubs just about three days before I relocated.

This record is much more of a *band* record than the Skin/Skein EP, even with the solo songs sprinkled throughout. Mo sang and played tambourine when their trumpets were not necessary. Brendon handled co-production and mixing duties in addition to playing the drums (he also sang a bit on the album closer, “The Gospel Tree”). Jeremy provided rhythm guitar and lap steel in addition to holding down the low end. Mark was the Swiss Army knife, playing whatever was needed to serve the songs. Everyone played an integral part in the process, and I think it shows in the finished product.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Having my music be heard by open and appreciative ears. Connecting with others through the songs I’ve written. Being able to listen to my own record at some point after the mixing process, my ears no longer exhausted and fatigued, and getting genuine joy from the experience.

Pricing:

• Moon Orchids 12″ vinyl LP: $20 + shipping
• Skin/Skein 12″ vinyl EP: $15 + shipping

Contact Info:

• Website: https://moonorchids.bandcamp.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moonorchidsband
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moonorchidsband

Image Credits
Photography by Jessica Simons.