Musical Chairs: Simon Briley

BY GEORGIA MCDONALD

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This week, I sat down with local musician Simon Briley to chat about his musical journey, from growing up in the United Kingdom surrounded by music to finding his way to the Whitsundays and sharing that passion with others.

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With a pianist for a dad, a drummer for a mum and uncle, and equally musical siblings, some would say Simon’s fate was set.

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It didn’t take long before he began finding his own place within that musical world. In primary school, a teacher recognised his love of singing and introduced him to a national choir. At the age of nine, Simon began doing what many of us did as children – pestering our parents for things to play with. For Simon, this was a drum kit – a parent’s worst nightmare. So, naturally, they gave him a guitar and put him in piano lessons instead. But with persistence, by the age of 11, Simon finally got his drums and never looked back.

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The guitar, however, was a different story. After a few lessons, Simon found that he didn’t quite connect with his teacher and put the instrument aside until he was 16.

“I think it is a massive thing with learning any instrument, that if you have someone that inspires you as a mentor, then you’re going to want to pursue it a lot more,” Simon explains.

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After forming original band Bandicoot with a group of school friends, Simon and the band were signed and began touring around Asia. While playing in Cambodia, they met two Australian event organisers who invited them to come over and play.

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The band went home, sold all their stuff and came to Australia.

And just like that, a new chapter began.

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It wasn’t long before Simon found his way to the Whitsundays.

“When I first came here, it was just that sort of awestruck-ness of the beauty of the place,” Simon reflects.

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Now an Australian citizen, he has spent years performing around the region. But he’s also found another way to share his love of music with the local community - through teaching.

Teaching was Simon’s first job. After completing his drum grades, his own drum teacher hired him. Then, teaching continued to be a massive part of Simon’s life, from working as a maths teacher to working with young offenders and in special educational needs.  

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So, combining 3 things that he loves - music, teaching and the Whitsundays - only made sense for Simon. This led to the creation of Whitsunday Music Academy.

“It’s great to give back to a community and to build that community space,” he says.

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With around 15 students already on his books, ranging from a 5-year-old learning to sing through to adults, Simon is hoping to continue growing the academy and bring more local musicians and teachers into the mix.

And it seems the academy is giving Simon something he didn’t quite realise he was missing. 

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“I’m actually finding it a little bit more fulfilling than the gigs,” he admits.

For Simon, the value of music goes far beyond learning an instrument or getting up on stage. He describes creating music as a “cathartic, therapeutic” experience, giving people a way to express something that might otherwise stay inside them.

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And for anyone thinking about starting their own musical journey, Simon’s advice is simple: “Try and find what your truth is.”

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Where to catch Simon this week:

Thursday 20th August – Boaty’s 4:45pm

Friday 21st & Saturday 22nd August – Hamilton Island Race Week

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SONG RECOMMENDATION OF THE WEEK
Home Again – Michael Kiwanuka

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