Born and raised in Sacramento and based in Oakland, Simonoto plays guitar, bass, keys, and drums, and sings somewhere between Chet Baker, James Brown, and Donny Hathaway. Every instrument is recorded live, then resampled and reimagined, with all sound design done in house. He writes toward dissonance that appeals to the emotions rather than frightening the listener, and his harmonic choices are stranger than they first sound.
He toured as guitarist with Snap Judgment's "Spooked," played guitar on Ewik_42's debut album, and spent three years under Joe Bagale (Otis McDonald) at Hyde Street Studios. He performed at Anime Expo 2026 in Los Angeles with Studio Phoebe, leads Celestial Hotties, and has organized multi-band takeovers at the Verdi Club. He teaches on the Jazzschool faculty at the California Jazz Conservatory, leading funk ensembles.
His EP Skullybones, written, performed, and produced alone at Studio S, arrived May 12, 2026.
High-resolution images for press use. Click to download. Credit: Simonoto.
"I want it to be inviting, and exciting, mischievous and full of love."