Kate Simko was already a renowned DJ and producer when she moved from Chicago to London to study Composition for Screen at the Royal College of Music. Yet it was here that the full scope of her capabilities as a musician and composer was realized, as she began experimenting with electronic production and classical instrumentation, working on compositions that channeled the dynamism of dance music with the range of a full orchestra. During this period she began to experiment with re-contextualizing her sound, first composing "Titled" to soundtrack tilt-shift aerial footage of New York in 2012, and following this she became the first electronic musician ever to perform in London's National Gallery in 2013. These projects marked the initial collaborations between Simko and her fellow Royal College students that would eventually lead to the formation of her current boundary-pushing endeavor: the London Electronic Orchestra.The group is now a seven-piece ensemble, comprised of Tanya Cracknell and Kamila Bydlowska on violin, Davina Shum and Deni Teo on cello, Valeria Kurbatova on harp and Nina Harries on bass. Most former Royal College of Music students, the unique collaboration showcases their mind-blowing musicianship as individuals, against the backdrop of Kate's singular perspective as a DJ, ultimately bridging the gaps between the concert hall and the club.Earlier this year, Kate Simko and the London Electronic Orchestra invited THUMP to join them in London's St. Pancras Station for a special pop-up performance. Then, later that evening, we spoke to Simko about her journey and the challenges presented by fusing these largely unmarried spheres, before the ensemble played material from their self-titled debut LP, released May 6 this year. Watch the film on THUMP above.
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