Hello. I’m Simon Collison and I record and perform as Site Nonsite, a name alluding to land art concepts and documentation of place. I create what Electronic Sound describes as “eerily beautiful experimental compositions”, attracting remixes by 99LETTERS, Karen Vogt, Veryan, Paul Cousins and others. I released a series of EPs recalling experiences in Japanese cities and my song Paper Cranes was included in an NTS show about the nuclear age. I played my first live shows in 2024 and I’m currently engaging with dramatic places closer to home with support from Arts Council England, and working on my debut studio album.
Kind words
Feedback from radio, publications, peers and fans.
“Beautifully considered, with accompanying maps highlighting locations of field recordings used in the music, together with track-by-track notes and diary entries. Simon has created a musically transportive experience.”Lippy Kid Electronic Odyssey host, UK
“Site Nonsite is a wonderful emerging sound artist who is carving out a distinctive, warm and utterly human sound. He uses field recordings and human voice in his work you brings you along on his travels.”Karen Vogt Musician & producer, France
“Delicate, evocative and moving, weaving spoken word, field recordings and deliciously balanced strings, piano and electronic elements that feel effortlessly entwined. An absolute triumph of composition.”Nine is The Level Musician, UK
“The performance was a hypnotic, emotional and dramatic musical journey... as much land art as musical composition, made accessible with a deep sense of melody and dynamism often missing from ambient genres.”Simon Rudkin Delia Recordings, UK
“Simon Collison created something that's hard to encapsulate. In one breath, it's an EP of atmospheric music, but as you dig deeper you find it's a diary, a love letter and a reflection, a different way to experience a place.”Chris Glass Fan, USA
The Japan EPs
For what I describe as my “apprenticeship”, I challenged myself to create a series of narrative-driven EPs, working with field recordings I’d collected in Japan years earlier, revisiting experiences through music and documents, and inviting contributions from Japanese guests.
Each EP features meticulously-researched documents, including field recording locations map, diary entries and ephemera gallery. Each also includes an item relating to each city, such as paper crane origami instructions, sumo program and stickers. The EPs are available on Bandcamp.
Albums
The following albums are compilations of the EP series, guest remixes and live recordings. My music is available on Bandcamp.
Process and specialisms
I specialise in magnetic tape techniques and field recording. I blend technical methods with artistic experimentation, approaching sound design like abstract painting, I typically re-amp to tape, sometimes exposing it to the elements, and record multiple manipulated takes in the studio. I then layer, erode, deconstruct, and reassemble the results to craft unique and richly textured sounds. My process yields distinctive soundscapes that transcend the limitations of digital plugins, offering a distinct depth and character.
Home studio
My home office doubles as a modest music studio and project space. I've reached a point where I've sourced most of the equipment I need — analog and soft synths, several tape machines, midi controllers, effects units — and am focused on learning how to get as much as possible out of my machines, mics and software. I'm especially focused on taking the more portable machines outdoors and discovering what I can do with them in natural environments.
Moving outdoors
Video: I recently tested a USB-powered outdoor setup, responding directly to place. In this sketch, I layer loops over live birdsong, traffic and the static of the river.
Conceptual themes
I've also been tentatively exploring ways of having a direct dialogue with places, investigating conceptual themes around sound, time and location. On a recent day trip, I exposed tape to various environments and conditions, reassembling back home and capturing the results as narrative works. These ideas are leading me toward site-specific and indoor sound installation and documentary projects.
Elsewhere
Other places to find more about me.
Spotify / Apple Music / Bandcamp / Soundcloud / YouTube Music / YouTube Channel / Amazon Music
Instagram / Blue Sky / Mastodon / Threads / Twitter / Personal Site