Artist Interview: Simon Narel
Following the recent release of his "vengeful" new track "Daggers," rising artist Simon Narel sits down to discuss the raw honesty behind his songwriting. Moving from the mythological metaphors of his debut single "Aphrodite" to the blunt, diary-like reflections of his latest work, Narel opens up about his creative process, his shift from Connecticut to the Phoenix music scene, and what fans can expect from his debut album slated for late 2026.
Tori: "Daggers" was released just a few days ago on February 26th. Now that it’s out in the world, how does it feel to have such a "vengeful" and personal track available for everyone to hear?
Simon: It feels pretty relieving honestly. While I’m a bit removed from the lyrics of the track simply because of how long ago the song was written, I can still reflect back on that time with a lot of empathy, and it’s cool to show people a bit of a look into the inner workings of my mind and how I use music to reflect that.
Tori: You’ve described "Daggers" as being less about closure and more about honesty. Was the writing process in October 2023 a cathartic "letting it all out" moment, or did it feel more like reopening old high school wounds?
Simon: I would say it was a bit of both. Because I had not properly reflected on and healed from the relationship that “Daggers” was written about, it definitely allowed me to reflect deeper on the whole situation, understand the magnitude of the impact it had on me, and write out the frustrations I had kind of rediscovered through this process. I wouldn’t say I had fully let everything out however until a month later, when I wrote a song that really closed that chapter to me.
Tori: The song focuses on the "bad and ugly" parts of a past relationship. Was there a specific "dagger" or moment of clarity during those 2023 conversations that finally triggered the need to write this song?
Simon: I can’t remember a specific moment of clarity because I had written the song so long ago, but I do remember just slowly re-remembering a lot of situations I experienced that in hindsight were really toxic, and I remembered those because of the conversations I was having at the time.
Tori: "Daggers" is noted for its "sharp lyricism" and "unguarded delivery." How did you balance that raw anger with the catchy, R&B-influenced pop sound you’re becoming known for?
Simon: I really think it’s just a natural combination of my songwriting style, my taste in music, and my love for pop music and a pop song structure. I feel I tend to write in a more straightforward, blunt, almost diary-like style, especially when it comes to my more personal songs. I love pop music and all the ways that other genres influence it, namely R&B, indie and electronic music, and I think a sticky chorus or something that feels good in your spirit is so essential to a pop song.
Tori: Your debut single "Aphrodite" used Greek mythology as a metaphor for obsession. What draws you to using these grand, classical themes to describe modern-day "limerence" and unrequited love?
Simon: I grew up being fascinated by Greek mythology, namely reading the entire Percy Jackson series, and just different things that I had learned in school and outside of school during my free time about Greek mythology. Given my love for mythology, I thought that comparing someone to the goddess Aphrodite was a great metaphor for this obsession of wanting someone that is so unattainable, as in Greek mythology, Aphrodite, the goddess of love, is the most beautiful entity there is.
Tori: In "Aphrodite," you mention a "brutal self-awareness" in the chorus. How do you navigate being a "heart on your sleeve" songwriter while still maintaining that level of critical perspective on your own feelings?
Simon: I think it just comes down to being a self-aware person. I would like to think that I’m pretty self-aware, and that’s kind of what the concept of the song covers. While I have these moments of daydreaming and wearing my heart on my sleeve and letting my emotions do the talking, it’s important to bring yourself back to reality to face the truth of the situation, and that’s the kind of headspace I like to write in, straddling both ends of those ideas.
Tori: You moved from Connecticut to Phoenix—two very different environments. How has the desert landscape or the Arizona music scene influenced the "soundscape" you’re currently unraveling?
Simon: The soundscape I’m currently unraveling still feels very Connecticut to me and connected to the music that I loved the most while I primarily lived there. However, in Phoenix, I’ve gotten very into electronic dance and hyperpop, as there is a big EDM scene here in Phoenix - I’m currently experimenting with making more electronic inspired music, so stay tuned for that!
Tori: You blend Indie/Alternative and R&B into your pop sound. Who were the artists playing in your headphones in high school that helped shape this specific genre-bending style?
Simon: I loved listening to Tame Impala, SZA, Kali Uchis, Dua Lipa, Doja Cat, Steve Lacy - these were honestly just a few main artists that I was listening to, and their combined sound helped me find and develop the sound that I felt comfortable writing in. These are also artists that dip into different genres and sounds and make it their own, which heavily inspires the kind of music I like to make. I have to say, the music I listened to in late high school really helped me find and define my taste in music.
Tori: Interestingly, you wrote "Daggers" (October 2023) before you wrote "Aphrodite" (January 2024), yet released them in the opposite order. How do you decide which chapter of your life the world is ready to hear first?
Simon: I think that “Aphrodite,” both lyrically and sonically is a bit more approachable than “Daggers,” and to introduce myself to the world as an artist, I think “Aphrodite” was a great way of putting out something that can be considered an easy listen, but also has that emotional depth that I like to portray in my music. “Daggers” is a great sequel to that, where it’s a bit of a different sound, and takes the listener deeper into the world of Simon Narel.
Tori: You’ve mentioned that "Aphrodite" was born out of an "endless cycle" of romanticizing people who didn't reciprocate. Does songwriting help you break those cycles, or is it just a way to document the "madness"?
Simon: I would say that songwriting helps me break those cycles for the most part, but also it is a bit of documenting the “madness.” There’s some situations that I write about that aren’t that deep, to where I write one song about it and never feel any emotional distress towards it again, and there’s other times where a few songs have to be written or I genuinely have to thoroughly talk the situation out with someone for me to move on.
Tori: For "Daggers," you analyzed a significant relationship from a retrospective standpoint. As a songwriter, do you find it easier to write in the heat of the moment or after you’ve had time to let the "scars" settle?
Simon: It really depends honestly, and I really don’t know which one scenario is easier for me to write in. I’ve written songs in the heat of the moment, and I’ve written songs, like in this case, two years after the situation happened, so I guess it just depends on the situation and what I had experienced, I don’t necessarily have a definitive answer.
Tori: We are officially in March, and you have more music slated for April. Does the upcoming material follow the "vengeful" path of "Daggers," or are we pivoting back toward the "idealization" found in "Aphrodite"?
Simon: The new song I have set to release for April does fall a bit more back into the idealization lane of “Aphrodite,” but it is more carefree and fun, and has a more straightforward pop sound than what is found on “Aphrodite” or “Daggers.” I’m excited to keep expanding my sound with each new release.
Tori: As you continue to release singles, is there a larger project—like an EP or a debut album—that we can expect to see later in 2026?
Simon: Yes! I do have an album that is on the way and I hope to release it towards the end of 2026! More details will be revealed later down the line, but the single cover for “Daggers” does point to a clue regarding the title.
Tori: Now that you have a few releases under your belt, what has been the most surprising piece of feedback you’ve received from listeners who relate to your "unfiltered" lyrics?
Simon: To me the most surprising piece of feedback I’ve received from listeners is, honestly, how much they relate to the lyrics, especially “Daggers.” After its release, I’ve had a few people comment on how this song found them at a time where they needed it most, and that’s what makes me so excited - that I can help people, in some way, shape or form, get through whatever situation they're in, whether it be good or bad.
Tori: If you could describe the "Simon Narel sound" to someone who hasn't heard it yet using only three words, which would you choose?
Simon: Catchy, honest, fun!
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