Simon Popp

Munich-based drummer and composer Simon Popp navigates polyrhythmic structures with a keen sense of timing and mood. He contrasts earthy and airy sounds, blurs the boundaries between the electronic and acoustic worlds, and makes a powerful statement about what contemporary drum music can be. Popp studied jazz percussion in Munich and, with his solo work and projects such as ‘Fazer’, ‘9ms’, ‘Poeji’ and ‘Polygonia & Simon Popp’, moves at the intersection of jazz, ambient and electronic music. His solo albums ‘Laya’, ‘Devi’ and ‘Blizz’ have been well received internationally, especially in the vinyl scene. The Line Of Best Fit praised them, saying, “this is music you can get totally lost in, where the lines between organic and electric are blurred so as to be indistinguishable.” In addition to recognition from magazines such as Clash, Juno, and Ransom Note, Bleep felt reminiscent of the music of experimental greats Philip Glass and Steve Reich. In 2023, Simon Popp was awarded the Music Promotion Prize of the City of Munich. In 2025, he was nominated for the German Jazz Prize.