Issue 107 / February 2020

GREEN
TANGERINES
Sarah Sands and Jack O’Hanlon
of the nu jazz fusionists open
up about the myriad influences
that make the quintet such an
appealing draw on the Liverpool
jazz circuit.
“Music is our
collective creative
outlet; it’s quite a
vocational thing,
we aren’t together
for the money”
If you had to describe your style in a sentence, what would you
say?
We used to refer to it as “jazz for 20-year olds”, but, ultimately,
we think of it as a variant of jazz-fusion.
How did you get into music?
In terms of writing music, we kind of got into it by accident. We
would do gigs, but we only played covers that we liked and
eventually started integrating songs we wrote. We really learnt
how to play with one another and develop as a band as opposed
to trying to write straight off the bat.
Do you have a favourite song or piece of music to perform?
What does it say about you?
Funk Detective is one of my favourites to play. It’s super tight,
slightly syncopated, punchy horns along with the driving rhythm
section. I love the energy we get from it! It’ll be on our upcoming
EP, hopefully out in the coming few months so watch this space.
Why is music important to you?
Sarah: I think it’s only since coming to Liverpool, being able to get
gigs and meeting such great people, that I’ve felt music take a
central role in my life. There’s nothing else that could replace that
energy you feel after playing a gig or recording a new tune!
Jack: Music is our collective creative outlet; it’s quite a vocational
thing, we aren’t together for the money. We wouldn’t be doing
this if we didn’t love it.
What do you think is the overriding influence on your
songwriting: other art, emotions, current affairs – or a mixture
of all of these?
The strongest influence is other musicians and gigs that get us
thinking! We are really into bands like the Brecker Brothers, John
Scofield, Chick Corea, so we just focus on trying to come up with
good tunes. If somebody comes up with a cool riff or a melody
then we take that and run with it. We also try to not take it too
seriously and keep it fun.
If you could support any artist in the future, who would it be?
Jack: Steely Dan, I’ve become completely obsessed! If anyone
has been to one of our Frederiks gigs there’s always a Steely Dan
tune thrown in. It’d be amazing to be able to support a band of
that calibre; if you know anyone who can get us in touch, send us
a DM!
Do you have a favourite venue you’ve performed in? If so, what
makes it special?
We’ve had so many good ones! We like intimate, high energy
gigs as opposed to big stages. We played Band On The Wall and
loved how the crowd can be right up in your face. Frederiks is a
close second; everyone just sets up in the corner and plays cool
covers and their own tunes.
Can you recommend an artist, band or album that Bido Lito!
readers might not have heard?
If you haven’t been to see The Grapes latin-jazz band on a
Sunday, or been to Frederiks, The Caledonia, you’re missing out
on the coolest spots in Liverpool for jazz.
Photography: Jacob Barrow
@GreeenTangerines
MONKS
Jazz-infused dream-pop melodies
with hypnotising rhythms,
frontman and vocalist George
Pomford weighs in on MONKS’
rise.
“I think songwriting is
a great feeling; when
you write a song
and people sing it
back at your shows,
it’s just the best”
Have you always wanted to create music?
Not really. When I was a kid I was just into playing football and
going out with my friends. It’s only been the last two or three
years where I’ve started to write songs and start a band.
Can you pinpoint a live gig or a piece of music that initially
inspired you?
The Pond show at the Invisible Wind Factory in 2017 was a big
moment. I met Nathan, our guitarist, and the idea of Monks came
about. Seeing them live with the loud guitars and synths blew my
mind and opened my songwriting to different elements which I
wasn’t putting into practice before.
If you had to describe your style in a sentence, what would you
say?
I think when people see us they definitely think we’re 70s
inspired, but we all have our own style. In terms of the music,
it crosses many boundaries: psych music, funk and modern
alternative is what most of our songs are based around.
What do you think is the overriding influence on your
songwriting: other art, emotions, current affairs – or a mixture
of all of these?
Listening and seeing live shows is the biggest inspiration; taking
bits from the music around me and making it into our own
sound. I tend to write the music first, then put lyrics over the top
depending on the tone or mood of the song. I tend not to write
anything politically driven, I don’t really know enough about it
and it can come off proper cringey.
Do you have a favourite song or piece of music to perform?
We would say our single Why Does Everybody Look The Same?.
When played live, it proper goes off and I think lyrically holds a
good message; one that everyone in the band relates to. As a
song, musically, it shows us off well.
If you could support any artist in the future, who would it be?
Probably Nile Rodgers with Chic, he seems like such a sound fella
and he’s a living legend. I’d also love to support someone like Tyler
The Creator; I heard he goes out on his bike and cycles around
before shows. That would be boss to go on float with Tyler!
Do you have a favourite venue you’ve performed in? If so, what
makes it special?
Sound Basement on Duke Street will always hold a special place
in our hearts. It’s where we did our first shows and learnt how to
properly play live. Boss little boozer to watch the footy in as well,
what a place!
Why is music important to you?
Without it I would be bored out of my mind, I wouldn’t have
anything to do! I think songwriting is a great feeling; when you
write a song and people sing it back at your shows, that is just
the best.
Photography: Dylan Mead / @Dylanmeadphotograph
@monksband
MONKS support The Night Cafe at Liverpool Olympia on 24th
April. Corduroy is released 21st February.
SPOTLIGHT
21