Meet Simon Shackleton | Music Producer and Creative Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Simon Shackleton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Simon, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
As a music producer, risk is omnipresent in my life (sometimes too much so!). There’s very little financial certainty in releasing art that you believe in into the world, but there is a compelling creative certainty, which is that my work continues to resonate and give meaning to people – and that’s important.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art has always been about emotion, connection, and storytelling. I strive to create music that resonates deeply with people – something they can feel, not just hear. What sets me apart is my ability to blend cinematic soundscapes with raw, heartfelt songwriting. My journey spans decades and multiple genres, from high-energy breakbeat and electro to the deeply emotive, introspective work I’m creating now. Each chapter of my career has informed the next, and I think that diversity is reflected in the music.

One thing I’m most proud of is my ability to stay true to myself while continually evolving. My latest project, The Shadowmaker, feels like the most authentic representation of who I am as an artist. It’s raw, vulnerable, and deeply personal – a journey through love, loss, and the struggle to find meaning in life’s chaos. It’s also a multimedia project, pairing music with visuals and storytelling in ways that feel immersive and impactful.

Getting here has been far from easy. The music industry is relentless, and there have been moments when I felt completely lost – especially during transitions between creative phases. After stepping away from the dancefloor-centric work I was known for, I went through a period of doubt and depression. What kept me going was the need to express myself authentically and the realization that art is a way to process and communicate things words alone can’t convey.

Challenges taught me resilience and the importance of adaptability. I learned to embrace limitations, both creative and practical, and to trust my instincts. Whether it was figuring out synthesis in my early days with minimal gear or starting from scratch in a new genre, I’ve come to value the lessons in every setback. Those moments forced me to dig deeper and discover new facets of my creativity.

What I want the world to know about my art and story is that it’s never been about following trends – it’s about finding truth. My music is an invitation to step into a world of emotion, to feel something real in a world that often moves too fast for reflection. I’m incredibly grateful for the people who have supported my journey, and I hope my work continues to resonate with those who are seeking something meaningful and intentional.

At the end of the day, my goal is to create art that stays with people, whether it’s a haunting lyric, a melody that gives you chills, or a live performance that leaves a lasting impression. Music is my way of connecting, and I hope that connection is what people take away from my story.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well, we’re certainly blessed with no shortage of things to do here in Colorado.

I’d start with a day around my hometown of Castle Rock – a walk down the trail into town, where we often see beavers and other wildlife on our doorstep, and I’d show them some of the local stores and grab some lunch. We’d then head to Dawson Butte or Spruce Mountain for a 5 mile hike and finish up the day with cocktails at Provision in town.

I’d take them up to Denver for a day, perhaps check out the MCA, head to Rino and meet up with friends in NoHi. We’d take a walk around Sloane Lake and meet friends for food and drinks at Edgewater Public Market. If they wanted to stay out late then I’d take in a movie at Alamo or head on to Mockingbird or Beacon.

We’d head up to Boulder for a day, take in a short hike around the flatirons. If it’s summertime, then floating down the river’s fun and there’s no shortage at all of great shopping and eateries in Boulder.

To build a little mountain stamina, Roxborough Park is another good (relatively local) hiking area with various hiking options at lower altitude, and I’m also a big fan of Castlewood Canyon near us which has some great river walks.

We’d have to spend some time in the mountains. If it’s winter, then a couple of days at Keystone with an overnight stay up there to avoid the gnarly i70 would be amazing – there’s no better place in the world to combine breathtaking skiing with an element of exercise!

I’d also love to show them Red Rocks, and even take in a show there, perhaps taking our time and cutting over from Evergreen, Idaho Springs and then Morrison. So many options, so little time.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to dedicate this shoutout to Lesley Wright. Lesley started out as my manager, but has become part of my family over the past few years. Her belief in my work (and my work ethic) has remained constant over what’s been a challenging period in my life. Her writing skills are second-to-none and she is a beacon of excellence and professionalism in an ocean of mediocrity.

Website: http://www.simonshackleton.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonshackletonmusic/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonshackleton/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Simon.K.Shackleton

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SimonShackletonMusic

Other: BANDCAMP: https://simonshackleton.bandcamp.com/

Image Credits
Ed Sprake, Darrin Harris Frisby,