Get to Know Simone Toweel: The Songbird Creating Safe Spaces from Soothing Serenades
Rising teenage singer-songwriter Simone Toweel has come a long way since her days of covering her music inspiration Adele, with the prodigy gradually evolving into a well-rounded songstress. Thanks to releases such as “Beauty in the Storm”, “Now You See Me”, “Dear Anxiety”, and “Paper Planes”, the Durban-born crooner may have started off at a young age, pairing her love for music with school, but with growing visibility, her journey and patient ascension has honed her precocious musicianship and helped her build her growing fanbase.
Toweel shared a bit of her past, detailing how growing up in the coast of KwaZulu-Natal chiseled her love for music. She also outlined the importance of growing up in a musical family with a kaleidoscopic taste in terms of genre preference, and how from an impressionable age being exposed to music shaped her to wanting to become a musician who could make the same kind of impact with her artistry someday.
Simone Toweel | SUPPLIED
“I grew up in a warm, vibrant environment in Durban, where music was always a part of everyday life. My family loved music there was always a song playing in the background, whether it was classic soul, pop, or something completely unexpected. That kind of exposure made me fall in love with melodies, storytelling, and the way music can capture emotions so effortlessly. As I got older, I knew I wanted to create music that could move people the same way it moved me,” she said.
The end of 2024 brought with it the release of Simone’s latest single, “Paper Planes”. Building on the official introduction she gave of herself to the industry with “Now You See Me” in 2022, and her introspective, piano-furnished single “Dear Anxiety” in 2023, Simone’s newest outing explored the nostalgic longing for simple times of childhood which get lost in the haze of adult life, living responsibly as every grow-up should, and being in sync with realism.
““Paper Plans” is very personal to me. It represents a return to simplicity, the way we used to dream as kids before the world told us what was realistic or possible. After my 2022 single, I wanted to reintroduce myself with something that felt like a pure reflection of who I am. I think we all have moments where we long for that childlike freedom again, and this song is my way of holding onto that feeling. It’s a fresh start in many ways, and I wanted people to get to know me through something that feels both nostalgic and hopeful,” Simone said.
Listen to “Paper Planes”:
With several singles on her belt, Simone has floated under the radar and remained true to her craft not by taking her time when it came to her artistry. On top of divulging that she was currently working on more music for the year – and also hinting that she hoped to drop a full-length album – she revealed that her fans should be on the lookout for the drop of prospective music videos and visuals.
For Simone, though, the compass of her odyssey in the music which started when she was only a girl covering her favourite artists pointed to her realising her potential. Admitting that she was in no rush at all, her focus remained on telling stories that would resonate with her people and be a refuge for them and those who needed audio safety.
“I want my music to feel like a safe space something people can turn to when they need comfort, inspiration, or just a reminder that they’re not alone in what they’re feeling. Whether it’s nostalgia, joy, heartbreak, or resilience, I want my songs to be a soundtrack for real life. Music has always been there for me, and I hope my music can do the same for others,” she said.
Listen to “Dear Anxiety”:
Inspired by the likes of British vocal powerhouse Adele and ignited by her penchant for iconic South African stars Jesse Clegg and Black Coffee, Toweel has already begun to carve out a notch for herself in the industry as one of the country’s rising voices with her youthful tone, ruminative songwriting, and Zoomer outlook when it came to solving the Rubick’s cube of life. She spoke a bit about her mindset concerning improving her craft and what she felt has been critical to keep her music from lagging and fading.
“I think growth as an artist comes from staying open—open to new experiences, new sounds, and even new ways of thinking. I love experimenting and learning, so I always try to challenge myself with different styles, collaborations, and perspectives. To establish myself, I want to stay true to my voice and my message while still evolving. It’s about finding that balance between staying authentic and pushing creative boundaries,” she said.
Not even out of her teens as yet, Simone still has the best years of her musical career ahead of her. She spoke about what she desired to do with her music in the future and the sounds she wished to charter beyond what she was already familiar with.
“I’d love to explore more alternative R&B, and even some jazz or classical influences in my music. I think blending genres can create something really unique, and I’m always drawn to sounds that feel timeless but also fresh. Music is about emotion, and sometimes the best way to convey a feeling is by mixing unexpected elements together,” she said.