inside look: parker simon

Photo: Josh New

​Everyone has their own personal taste in music, just a fact of life. For example, mine vary from classical to pop, or trance, depending on my mood and what I want to listen to that day. So, as usual, I’m sitting in front of my computer doing some work and then someone sends me a request to post something either on my website or Facebook pages. If it hadn’t come from someone I know, I would have just skipped over it until later. The request was to post an event on my Facebook pages, and therefore, I went ahead and posted it. However, I decided to do a google search and learned that Mr. Simon appears to be an accomplished singer/songwriter. Well, I wanted an interview. Not just because he is a singer, but because he is a part of the LGBT community.
 
Parker Simon is an up-and-coming singer and it’s evident from his music that he very passionate about his music. Music that is defined by the events in his life both past and present; which has shaped his music and made it very personal.
 
Parker grew up in a conservative town in Oklahoma and into a very religious family. He stated that it was very hard being gay, knowing that his family wasn’t supportive made it very hard to talk about. He endured constant judgment, was told he would go to hell, and wouldn’t be saved (Baptist). Parker would deal with depression and at one point went into reparative therapy (Conversion) all to be normal as defined by his up bring. It wouldn’t be until he went off to college that he would begin the process of self-acceptance, and learning it was ok to be gay, and it was his normal.

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We need everyone to be who they are, be yourself. Everyone has something to bring to the table and everyone has a spot at the table. Parker Simon

So, how does this relate to his music, he stated: “music is a story about my past and present life.” His music has a definite pop tone, but you hear a little of musical theater.  Parker admits that his music has elements of an angry overtone, mixed in with his personal feelings about his life. It is telling a story about a rebirth, coming out and being who he is. I must be honest his music is interesting and at the same time unique. Unstoppable, It’s Going Down, and Moving Away have a concise message about living life on your own terms, being who you are, never settling for second, and believing in yourself.
 
He is unapologetic about his life, and his music. For him, it’s an outlet to express his feelings and explore his life on his own terms. He doesn’t care about those who feel it’s just a hobby he states, “I’m at a place in my life where I don’t care what people think of me,” and “I love music and I’m not going to apologize for that.”

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