Juliet Simms

Simms was the front woman and songwriter/guitarist for the band Automatic Loveletter from 2006 to 2011, releasing four EPs and two full-length albums before their disbandment in late 2011. Automatic Loveletter released its debut album, Truth or Dare, on June 22, 2010, followed by the album The Kids Will Take Their Monsters On through an independent record label, Paper & Plastick, on June 23, 2011. with bassist Sean Noll sitting in on occasion in Tommy's home studio in the Tampa Bay area. The band was first called Stars and Scars and recorded its first song together in December 2005, naming the song after the band but written by Simms. They also recorded "Tin Lizzy", written by Tommy Simms. They were signed by Allison Hagendorf, the host of Fuse TV's The Pop TV Show, who was then working at Epic Records. Epic struggled with the Sony BMG 2005 Payola Scandal and internal problems, finally dropping over 70 bands in 2007. Automatic Loveletter was not dropped but was also not supported for the next year and a half touring in the drummer's Ford Excursion and burning their own copies of their Epic-produced CD with hand painted slip covers to help fund their tours. Automatic Loveletter recorded their never-released debut EP in 2007 with producer Matt Squire. "He challenged me and I challenged him," Simms said. "I felt very comfortable and that's when the best of me comes out. The entire time was playful and fun and that's what music is about to me — having a good time." Simms took her songbook to Matt Squire and narrowed down the tunes and crafted them to fit together, sometimes taking songs in entirely new directions. "The Answer", for instance, was originally a ballad, but became one of the more upbeat numbers on the album. Currier and lead guitarist Nelson played on the album, Noll officially joining just before some of their first tours together and Tommy Simms occasionally touring with the band to play lead or rhythm guitar in larger venues and outdoor concerts. The band played both the main Bamboozle and Bamboozle Left in 2008. The tracks "The Answer", "Parker", "August 28th 3:30 A.M.", "Hush" and "Make-Up Smeared Eyes (Acoustic)" were released on their first official EP release in Recover 2007. But after the tour, when Epic was scheduled to release the album Automatic Loveletter, they were told to continue touring and asked by then President Charlie Walk to write more upbeat music. Instead, Simms submitted a fan favorite "Black Ink Revenge" which was rejected several times for rewrite until it became "My Goodbye" one of the tracks off the upcoming Sony release. "I had been signed to Epic for going on three years, I toured in cars with my completely broke band and was feeling like I disappointed my fans who had been promised music for over a year so I sat in my room for four days re - writing and re - submitting that song like 5 times. I like "My Goodbye" a LOT but it was the result of a lot of pressure and the desire to get an album released." "My Goodbye", "The Day that Saved Us", and "Hush (New Version)" were quickly released as another self-titled EP just before the final chapter with Epic Records when they fired all the members except Currier before the first headlining tour. Epic held auditions for new members and hired Jacob Fatoroochi, James Bowen, and Wayne Miller. Halfway through the tour, Epic called Simms and told her that all of the pay for the band was being withdrawn and the band was dropped from the label. Despite this setback, the band pulled together and stayed on to complete the tour. Automatic Loveletter went on to sell out venues like the Knitting Factory in LA and San Francisco. "It was very liberating. After crying my eyes out for a couple hours, I had some of my best show's ever on that tour." The band was picked up by Sony and Simms was asked to write for a new album produced by Josh Abraham. In 2011, Automatic Loveletter released an entirely acoustic album through Paper + Plastick Records called "The Kids Will Take Their Monsters On". The album was produced by Shane Henderson. == Solo career ==