morgan simpson: black midi's glue

Austin venue Hotel Vegas showed out at SXSW 2019. Their Heaven or Hot Burrito Kick Off Party brought a bevy of acts that tore up the patio stage. Chi-town’s Paul Cherry pumped his prodigious groove and Austin’s Sailor Poon sang out their gritty garage punk. Then four London lads took the stage, and Black Midi began to play.

The buzz-worthy BRIT School alumni kidnapped the crowd for a pulsating sonic adventure. Black Midi matched maniacal vocals with oscillating guitar licks and a dynamic rhythm section that alternatively plunged and pushed the pace and volume with unfettered purpose. As guitarist/vocalist Geordie Greep put it, “It’s all about tension and release.”

black midi’s Morgan Simpson.

Though the band has released only two singles to date, Black Midi has played a residency at Brixton’s The Windmill, toured the UK and Europe, signed with storied UK label Rough Trade and created a louder buzz than the genre that made their misno-moniker. One of the brightest in the Black Midi bunch is Morgan Simpson. The dynamic drummer holds it down, bringing the burgeoning band together from low roll to fever pitch and back.

We caught up with Greep, cloaked in a full length winter military jacket, and Simpson, both drenched in Texas-style sweat after their afternoon set. When we asked Simpson what makes Black Midi special, he noted the creative diversity within the group that makes for such a visceral show. “I play with a lot of acts but I have cohesion with these guys. I’m the glue. I clarify the mess and let these guys get creative within their different styles.” If the glue sticks as good as it sounds, these guys are just getting started. Check out Black Midi’s latest release below.