As a socio-cultural academic my research explores popular music scenes and collaborative creativity
My first book, Blank Canvas, explored the impact of art school education on the creative development of musicians. Published by Intellect in the UK and University of Chicago Press worldwide I deciphered an innovative route for creativity through concentration on the process and experimentation within a non-hierarchical and community led environment. Due for release in Autumn 2026, the second book, Creative Spheres, is an autoethnographic exploration into popular music scenes, specifically punk, indie, jungle, new jazz and global.
The difficult second book
Creative Spheres: The concept of ‘scenius’ through the lens of hip hop, jungle, grime, new jazz and indie music. I am exploring collective creativity, how groups came together to forge impactful work through inclusive practices.
To be published through PC Press
Featuring interviews with
Alex Michon, Roy Ascott, Brian Eno, Gavin Bryars, Dexter Dalwood, Stephen Mallinder, Lester Square, Gina Birch, Ana Da Silva, Gaye Black, Clive Langer, Bill Drummond, Cally Callomon, Barry Adamson, Helen Reddington, Keith Levene, Inez Aponte, Michael Pennie, James Eller, Alice Fox, and Pauline Black
Academic research here: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Simon-Strange
Buy Blank Canvas here: https://www.intellectbooks.com/blank-canvas
