Monks

Photo by Dylan Mead

Name, where are you from?
Monks (George & Nathan), Liverpool.

Describe your style in three words?
Casual, '70s, Disco.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
The best gig I have ever been to was seeing Michael Kiwanuka in the Liverpool Philharmonic. I went with our drummer Kali. It was the first proper gig I've been to where I've sat down, due to the venue usually being used for classical performances. It blew me away with his orchestral instrumentation and the acoustics in the room. It was a great live performance and it was nice to sit down for a change.

If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
We’d loved to play with Delegation and Daft Punk. They’re both massive influences to the music which we are making now. Also Daft Punk have one of the best live shows, and Delegation's instrumentation live would be boss. Would be unbelievable to play with them both.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
Subcultures that have influenced our music and fashion are the Northern Soul scene and the 1970s Disco scene in New York. We are heavily inspired by both due to its power to get people to dance in unity and the positive energy it creates. Also how the music goes hand in hand with the fashion and style of these cultures. There is some great music and some great dancing that made both of these cultures so great and timeless in my opinion.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Probably Brian Wilson from The Beach Boys, he’s one of the best songwriters/producers of all time. I would love to sit down with him and learn what it was like to produce Pet Sounds or just what it was like to be in them sessions. It would be great to get some tips from him.

Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
The Albert Hall Manchester. It’s like an old church which is now a music venue. The aesthetic and acoustics are boss. We’ve never played it, but it’s definitely a venue we dream of playing in the future. Some of our favourite artists have played there. Every gig we’ve watched there has been special. We have fond memories associated with the venue.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Arthur Lee from the band Love. The criminally underrated album 'Forever Changes' blew me away the first time I heard it. The blend of psychedelic rock with folk music and the influence the brass gives is just the icing on the cake for me. In our music, we use a trumpet and this album has a lot to do with that.

Monks recently released their new track '100 Percent'. Listen, purchase or stream it via linktr.ee/Monksband.