The spotlight doesn’t seek out everyone. For some, it’s a matter of discomforting pressure and overwhelming anxiety. For others, it’s the result of unfortunate circumstances. Such is the case with Athens musician Sloan Simpson, who cut his teeth as a rock and jazz guitarist until a serious car accident led him to quit playing. Still, while performing music was no longer in the stars, Simpson kept himself inserted the scene by documenting local shows via live taping. He even went as far as installing a permanent recording setup at his favorite local club, the Caledonia Lounge.

However, all that came to a screeching halt when the pandemic forced venues to shutter, some permanently. Sidelined once again by forces out of his control, Simpson did something he wasn’t sure he would ever do—write and record his own music. Working under the moniker Sloan Brothers, he began collaborating with a cadre of friends and musicians, recording his own vocals for the first time.

Released last Friday, Sloan Brothers’ debut album System Update is the fruit of that collaborative process. The record features a dozen original tunes with contributions from a dazzling array of Athens luminaries, including current and former members of Maserati, Olivia Tremor Control, Japancakes, of Montreal, Drive-By Truckers, Cracker, Casper & the Cookies, Camper Van Beethoven, and Elf Power. Simpson may not covet the spotlight, but he sure knows how to share it.

For his latest release, a remix of the album’s title track, Simpson turned to another local stalwart, Gene Woolfolk III (Vincas, ex-the Powder Room). Intrigued by Woolfolk’s solo work as Dream Tent, Simpson gave him free rein to recreate the future-retro jam in his own vision. The result is a pulsing effort that recontextualizes the song as a sprawling dance-inflected freakout. A good remix always teases out something new or unseen within the original. Here, Woolfolk takes Simpson’s lurching desert rock stomp and reveals the disco heart pumping within.

Says Simpson about the remix: “I first met Gene Woolfolk III when he became the front-of-house engineer at the Caledonia Lounge in Athens and I recorded him playing guitar in several top rock bands around town. When I heard what he’s been doing with his electro-pop project Dream Tent, I was reminded of listening to remixes of the Cure and Depeche Mode growing up and asked him to remix the title track from System Update.”

Listen below.

Sloan Brothers will celebrate the release of System Update on Fri., July 1 at the 40 Watt with performances by Robert Schneider, Jay Gonzalez, and Hayride plus guests. Doors open at 8 p.m. Admission is FREE. 18+ to enter.

More Info
Web: sloanbrothersmusic.com
Bandcamp: sloanbrothers.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @sloanbrothersmusic
Instagram: @sloanbrothersmusic