"Cyprus 1982. A family holiday that would turn out to have a big impact on me. Visiting my grandparents on their sailing boat home the 'Amethyst Glory' and seeing the very real possibilities of adventure and self exploration at such a young age planted deep rooted seeds which I am only just beginning to understand. My beautiful family the Houghtons, you made me. This is for you."

Simon Houghton aka Sneaky is a Manchester born and bred cellist, bass player, arranger, composer and DJ operating out of Berlin. You might know him through the extensive catalog of his trio Fingathing (bass, turntables & visuals). Arguably, the project could have been the inspiration for the Gorillaz in regards to combining cartoon characters with music. Sneaky also played strings on a slew of songs from artist Robot Koch, appeared live in different configurations with members of the Cinematic Orchestra, Simian Mobile Disco and Mark Rae. Mr. Scruff’s certified hit Get a Move On (featured in countless commercials) also happens to be set to his signature-style bass line. Right now Sneaky will drop his third solo record, this time venturing out into what he calls lo-fi neoclassical / mylife soundtrack territory. Moondog and Arthur Russell fans will not be disappointed. And who knows, maybe the final destination for this man is writing to images flickering across a silver screen?

In his own words Simon gives you a little insight into the world surrounding this album…: “The last few years have been huge for me in terms of self discovery and development.. It may sound strange but I have been looking backwards, inwards and outwards. Not so much forwards these days hahaha. But what I now understand is that it is all a part of the same bloomin thing. There IS only now. Thankyou Alan Watts (and I don’t mention him lightly. Go read his books, and listen to his talks. He has taught me so much recently).

This music which I now call an album came out of me at a point in my life when I was quite lost and weak. Spiritually, Emotionally and Physically. I had just separated with my wife after 16 years together and soon after I became quite ill. By the way, this is not a sob story! so bear with me…..I fell deep into the music ( I was lucky that music is deep within me)…. The music acted like a mirror reflecting cathartic vibrations backwards and forth, vibrations that I had lost touch with and that I now consider fundamental to my being. It was a startling voyage of re-connection with my family, especially with my brother Jez Houghton (who is all over this album playing his wonderful French Horn). One track entitled The Front Room was the catalyst for the whole process, and it features all my direct family. My father Anthony Houghton on Bass Clarinet, my Mother Susan Houghton on Flute and my Brother. I had a musical theme stuck in my head that I imagined them playing with me. So I recorded them. Wrote out real notes on a paper so they could play them (they are Classical musicians) and individually recorded them at my parents’ home in South Manchester. Listening back to the 4 of us all playing together made me cry. Something that I will never forget. I then went on to construct the rest of the album with that energy exploring the different shades of my feelings and I am happy to finally share this personal musical journey.”