In "Music meets Football", we speak to some of our artists about their love of the beautiful game and the teams they support. Our latest feature is with Jimmy Organ-Simpson of Subeam.
The vocalist of the Whitby indie rockers is a passionate fan of Premier League side Leeds United. Sunbeam are one of the North’s most promising emerging indie acts, breaking out of Whitby with a dynamic, hook-driven sound and rapidly growing reputation. The band have received consistent national radio support from John Kennedy on Radio X’s X-Posure and Jericho Keys on BBC Introducing helping expand their reach across the UK.
The band are building to the release of their new EP, When The Lights Go Low, previewed so far by the singles Afterglow’, ‘Golden’ and latest release ‘Stay For Me’, which you can listen to on Marching On Together – our unofficial Leeds United playlist packed with club anthems, fan favourites and tracks from Leeds-supporting artists.
Sport Playlists: Tell us about how you became a fan of Leeds United.
Jimmy Organ-Simpson: My family is split between Middlesbrough and Leeds fans. Unlike most Leeds fans I do actually like to see Boro do well, but ever since getting my first ever white Leeds kit they’ve been the only option!
SP: What are your earliest memories of attending a game at Elland Road?
JOS: My earliest memory of Elland Road was in 2007 against Leyton Orient, I think it was 1-1. I had been to games before that but have no real recollection. The sound of the crowd is the thing that stuck with me even in the League One days!
SP: Who were your footballing heroes growing up – whether that be Leeds players or otherwise?
JOS: My footballing hero is my dad. I was lucky enough to play alongside him in a couple of games, he played at a decent standard and passed on a lot of his experience to me. He fought for every single ball like his life depended on it – he played into his 40’s!
SP: Did you ever have any aspirations about becoming a professional footballer when you were a child? If so, how far did they go towards becoming a reality?
JOS: Of course – anyone who’s ever kicked a ball has had that dream.
Not very far to be honest, I played a few games for Whitby who are seventh tier. If I could put my brain now in my 20-year-old body I think I could have gone a little further but the dedication you need to go pro is something I didn’t quite have.
SP: What’s the best moment been in your time supporting Leeds?
JOS: Well, there’s been more pain than joy but I’d have to say being in Leeds when we got back to the Premier League with [Marcelo] Bielsa. We’d just battered Derby then headed straight onto the streets; it seemed like all of Leeds was in that square which after coming out of the lockdown was like a carnival!
SP: What are your thoughts on how the 2025/26 season has gone so far at the halfway stage?
JOS: Happy enough, since going five at the back we’ve looked miles better, much more secure which gives us that stability. I like what [Daniel] Farke is doing and it’s great to see us scoring goals. It’s worrying that West Ham have turned a corner but I think we will be alright.
SP: What are you hopes for the rest of this season?
JOS: Survival.
SP: Who are your favourite players in the current Leeds squad?
JOS: [Gabriel] Gudmundsson and Ao Tanaka! Gudmundsson is the best left back we’ve had in decades; he defends well and is exciting going forward. Tanaka is everywhere and oozes class.
SP: How important has the crossover between music and football been in your life?
JOS: Football and music go hand in hand, whether it be the songs the fans are singing or the playlists that soundtrack the away days – it’s a perfect marriage.
SP: What song do you associate with a cherished footballing memory?
JOS: ‘Vindaloo’ by Fat Les. This was my earliest World Cup memory and I just remember singing that song non-stop.
SP: If you had to pick one Sunbeam song for Leeds to walk out to before kick-off at Elland Road, which one would it be?
JOS: Well thankfully our new single ‘Stay For Me’ is due a spin at the church so I’m buzzing about that! If I had to choose another it would be ‘Northern Town’, written about our beloved Whitby but resonates with the whole of Yorkshire!
SP: You recently released your brand new single ‘Stay For Me’. Tell us a bit about the song and where it fits into your upcoming EP, When The Lights Go Low.
JOS: ‘Stay For Me’ is a love letter about holding on. The whole EP is a coming-of-age collection of songs that is set in a “going out” era!
SP: What plans do you have in store for 2026 that fans can look forward to?
JOS: We’re dropping our new EP on March 6. We also have a tour starting in March, all details can be found on our website. There’s a lot more going on behind the scenes!
