Newfair Flik is the artist title given to the concept album written and performed by Philadelphian artists Joe DiVita and Dan Simone. The project, titled “Situations” was born as a set of studio only compositions. The entire recording was performed by the duo alone. DiVita playing drums, electric bass, lead and some rhythm guitars, Simone playing piano, a multitude of synthesizers, and more guitar parts while rounding out the rest of their huge vocal sound. In addition to performing, they also produced the record themselves with special thanks to David Landry, a freelance musician and engineer in the region, who provided guidance, and a second postproduction studio.

The individual tracks vary in flavor from very cognitive composition, to the more passive vocal tune. There is something on the record for everyone - laid back lush harmonic passages with interesting harmonies to hard hitting polyrhythmic drums over chunky power chords to just noise. Check it out; there is a lot of substance in this music.

DiVita and Simone met each other at Council Rock High School and performed in jazz ensembles in the schools well-rounded music program. In 1998, Simone worked with DiVita, who was playing bass with an acoustic rock act, playing keyboards when the band played live, but only for a short while. In the winter of 2001, Simone contacted DiVita, who was finishing his music studies at the University of the Arts (PMA/PCPA) for percussion/composition and presented the idea of a concept album. Simone, who was an undergraduate Cornell University studying computer science (where he would later complete his graduate degree), would work with DiVita over the Internet and in the studio to create the work at hand. An interesting fact about this record is that it was recorded, in part, over the internet. Simone is currently living and working in Oregon and DiVita is still performing with different acts, such as the steel drum/Caribbean jazz group “FE” (www.feband.net) in Philadelphia and the surrounding region.

“Situations” is a completely independent release, with intentions of having artwork to stand on for the future. Please listen to the record and provide any feedback that you can, it is greatly appreciated.