“I get bored very easily when it comes to music so I like to try to do things that I don’t know how to do well, and always change up the rules for myself.”

With this sentence, the producer, multi-instrumentalist and DJ known as Simbad encapsulates his approach to crafting tunes. Delve into his extensive discography of originals and remixes — ranging from big band to soul, house, reggae, R&B and broken beat — and it becomes clear that the man born Pierre Stanislas Renouf is a restless spirit.

He comes by it naturally. Renouf has a French background, was raised by archeologist parents and grew up “around the world” in locations that include Montreal. He’s been deeply involved in music since falling for jazz and taking up the sax as a teen, later picking up drums, keyboards and bass, playing in a number of bands — including live drum ‘n’ bass act Noble Society — and promoting D&B events in Paris.

Renouf has been releasing “quality booty music” for just under a decade, having collaborated with longtime friend Fred McQuinn on house projects including Twitch and Marathon Men, put out a “world music” album as Les Barons, and made Detroit-influenced electronics as Loose Ensemble. But the London-based producer has primarily reached ears and warmed hearts as Simbad, with the 2006 single “Soul Fever” featuring the vocals of Steelo being an international radio and club favourite.

 “That’s the beauty of music sometimes — you just never know how far it will travel,” says Renouf as he makes his way back from airport to studio. “But I did know it was a good tune straight away, right after we finished it with Steelo, because I wasn’t bored of it and there was so much in the song to be felt.”

Not only did “Soul Fever” provide impetus for Renouf to collect many years’ worth of beautiful, soulful songs to form the debut Simbad album, Supersonic Revelation — released earlier this year on Raw Fusion — it also landed Steelo his own recording deal. Renouf is providing much of the album’s production, and he’s excited about the collaboration.

 “When two universes meet, you go to a greater universe,” says Simbad in his undeterminable accent. “I can’t sing, so I like to work with people who really have a voice. Steelo has amazing qualities, voice, vibe and soul-wise, and I like to work with harmonies and melodies — maybe because I’m a horn player. I like song-based stuff.”

To that end, Renouf is continuing to explore the open canvas of dance music in a number of ways — via a steady output of remixes, releases under the project name Mowgly, and collaborating with innovative American house producer Karizma in a duo dubbed Izmabad. He’s also heavily focused on creating a new Simbad artist album with a strong emphasis on songwriting and lyrics.

“I really want to go on the conscious tip because I think it’s crazy how music is getting so bland these days,” he states. “Everything seems like there’s mind control — from government to entertainment — it’s like, ‘The less you think, the better.’ Even just a few years ago, you’d still have pop songs that were really sharp lyrically or a wicked hip-hop track with great lyrics, and now it’s so poor on this level.

I think it’s time to put a bit more depth back in the music and to touch people. There’s a sense of urgency on the planet and we shouldn’t ignore it. This kind of recording is what I want to do for my next album; it feels essential for me.”

In between recording sessions, Simbad brings his emotive, funky and bass-heavy sounds to venues around the world, including this debut date in Toronto.

 “I love to share the music that I have, feel the people. And it’s exciting to improvise as a DJ,” he enthuses. “Then there’s the whole range of places to play, from festivals to clubs and all sorts. Just this past weekend I played on beaches in the south of France at [Gilles Peterson’s] Worldwide Festival and it was unbelievable. I played back-to-back with Laurent Garnier and the people were up for anything. It was brilliant.”