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In Conversation With Simmo... [OBP Music/What's NXT]
Manchester’s underground continues to produce a steady stream of exciting talent, and OBP Music affiliate Simmo is quickly carving out his place within it. With roots in the city’s iconic club culture and a sound shaped by years spent on dancefloors from Antwerp Mansion to The Warehouse Project, his journey into electronic music feels both organic and deeply personal.
Now entering 2026 with renewed focus, fresh releases, and a growing list of bookings, Simmo is building real momentum. His latest EP Amnesia on Rich NXT’s What NXT label marks a significant step in the right direction, a full-circle moment that connects early inspirations with present-day progress.
We caught up with him to talk about his beginnings, the Manchester scene that shaped him, studio life, and what lies ahead for the year.
How has the start of 2026 been for you?
The start of the year has been good to me, I always try and lock in January, as I’m sure most people do. I’ve picked up running again and I’m feeling better in myself, i’ve made a few tracks and I’ve had some exciting bookings come in, so no complaints!
How did you first get into music? Did anything in particular trigger this for you?
So, I was never into dance music when I was younger but I’ve always been around music as I grew up on bands like red hot chilli peppers from my mum playing it when I was a kid, and my dad was big on his jazz funk. I’ve always enjoyed listened to music and finding new music, but I didn’t find my passion for electronic music until 2016 when I went to Parklife Festival. I didn’t go with the intentions of seeing any DJs, as I was into grime and rap at the time, but my mates dragged me to see Jamie Jones, which I would say is the trigger and this changed my whole perception of music, and in a way changed my life.
What did the early days of partying look like for you?
The earliest memories I have of partying is going to the legendary Antwerp Mansion in Rusholme, Manchester. I used to go with a fake ID that looked nothing like me, and the age on the ID was 22, and I was 16/17 at the time. This was my introduction to club nights, and I saw Redlight, Burga Boy and other bassline DJ there. If you’re not aware of Antwerp Mansion, check it out online.
After my Antwerp days, I quickly became interested house & tech house. At the time it was only really me and one of my best mates who were actively looking to go out and party as much as possible, and after research we thought we’d try The Warehouse Project, a Manchester Institution, which I’ve been lucky enough to play at. We got tickets to ‘Yousef presents Circus’ at the old venue, Store Street where we saw The Martinez Brothers, Solardo & Loco Dice, after that we were hooked. I managed to attend the OG Sankeys once or twice two before it closed too. A memorable night in there for me was Jacky b2b De La Swing.
Your latest release, 'Amnesia,' has landed on Rich NXT's label, What NXT. How does it feel to release on an established label like this? How did the release come about?
It’s an honour to release music with Rich as he’s been a DJ that I have looked up to for years, since the early Fuse days. The Fuse crew were a big inspiration for me when I was getting into music, so it’s definitely a full circle moment for me.
I reached out to Rich in October 2025 after hearing him play a track of mine, from an old Bandcamp release in room two of Fabric. I sent him some music which he downloaded, and then he messaged me when I was at Amsterdam Dance Event, asking if I’d be up for signing a track for a VA, or working on an EP. I said I’d love to work on an EP with him, and then we bumped into each other in Bret on the Monday Slapathon. We discussed the tracks in person and confirmed a three track EP whilst on the dance floor.
Tell us a bit about your studio processes for this one?
My processes are the same for the majority of my music. I tend to go in with a blank canvas, not having anything in mind and just making whatever I feel like making. I’ve not integrated any hardware into my set up yet, so all of my projects are 100% in the box. This year I’ll be making a lot more music with the digitakt and once I’ve learned that I’ll be looking at synths.
As part of the OBP Music collective, can you tell us about any plans for the brand this year?
I won’t go into too much detail as not everything has been confirmed, but we’re looking to throw a few parties outside of Manchester this year with it being our five year anniversary, so expect more announcements on parties.
We had a good year with the label last year which was spearheaded by myself, Malachy and Alan, and we’re looking to carry on the momentum this year with a few nice releases already lined up. The first of the year was with Jelsen on 13 March 2026, and the obpodcast is now running once every two months instead of monthly.
Is there any particular artist who is really inspiring you at the moment?
Yeah, loads of artists inspire me and I’m lucky enough to call them my mates. Jelsen, Malachy, Stocked Up, Ghoulish, Charlie Rice, Captain Wallop, Daniel James and S.I.S collectively, but also as Max Bellis and Noah Peters individually too, these two are next up, if you don’t know, get to know!
What do the next few months look like for you?
The next few months are looking busy, I’ve got a long run of bookings that start mid March until Mid April, playing in different cities, which I’m excited about. I’m also going to be making a lot of music, as I’ve set myself some big goals for labels that I’d like to release this year. So yeah I guess just keeping busy and firing on all cylinders.
Leave us with a closing track?
This is a track I’ve been playing in my ThreeFifty6 sets, and it gets a great reaction every time. I love the emotional feeling behind it with the vocal and the pads, and the switch up into a naughty speed garage track. This one won’t be leaving my record bag any time soon and I can’t wait to play it out again.
Check out his ‘Amnesia’ EP: https://www.beatport.com/release/amnesia-ep/5911422
