Words of Wisdom with the Monk Seals
3/4 of the Monk Seals! L-R: Jono, Abel and Yannik sat down at Rollickin’ to have a chat with Welcome to the Gig last week. Spot that Monk Seals poster on the wall! Photo taken on the Sony A600.
Last week, I had the pleasure of sitting down with talented-as-heck Christchurch band, the Monk Seals, to hear all their pearls of wisdom of what advice they would give to up-and-coming musicians, how they make things easier on those bad days and how New Zealand musicians can be more supported.
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Thank you for letting me interview you and a huge congratulations on the release of Easier Now, the second single of yours.
MS: Thank you, it’s been a good time, it’s been a fun journey for sure.
How’s the response been so far?
MS: It’s been real good. Everyone who's listened to it has said it’s real catchy, which is what we’re excited about. We think it’s real catchy. This is quite a cool song, it’s something that people will want to listen to more than once.
I know you said last time on the podcast that you were seeking more constructive criticism, have you had that?
MS: We have noticed that people have said like… The transitions between some songs have been slower, but that’s more just admin. Since our last [set of] gigs, we took that into consideration and planned out our transitions so that it can just be a lot more smooth and just more professional, I suppose, than “here’s the new song”. We’ve been trying to make it more like a show, rather than just a live band playing music at a bar.
MS: I think a lot more feedback as a band as opposed to the music itself. At the end of the day, we’re the only ones who can you know… As far as music goes, we’re probably our own worst critics a little bit, which is all good. We know what’s great and we know what we need to improve on and stuff. Every song gets a little bit better, I reckon.
Absolutely. I mean, you’ve only got two songs out at the moment, but I’m assuming you’ve got lots more on the way?
MS: Ah yeah, for sure. We’ve got so many songs that we’ve written. Even newer music that we’ve written recently. We’ve just got so many original songs we don’t know what to do with them, which is great because at the end of the day, we play music first and foremost because we’re musicians. So, we can just pick out the best ones because we’ve got so much now. When it comes to recording, we can just pick something out.
Are you guys still working with TK?
MS: We just finished working with him. It was such a fun experience recording with him, but you know, he’s a busy man. He’s earnt himself a well-deserved break. We’d love to record with him sometime soon when he’s got the time available. He really understood what the sound was we were going for. We can record a song at the end of the day, but it’s the person who mixes and masters it that really makes it. He executed that brilliantly.
That’s a bummer he’s busy, but it’s good you guys can experiment with different producers and such.
How does Easier Now differ from Sex Disco?
MS: It was actually made by a different human being, which makes it a lot different. Our old bass player, David, he came up with the riff and that’s sort of how the song originated. We all listen to the same music, it’s kind of drawn from similar sort of people. Like artists, influences. It was made by David and then we’ve sort of, made it our own. That’s how it differs from Sex Disco.
MS: Also, Sex Disco it was just a fun song, a little bit of a piss-take and just like, woo, party! [With] Easier Now, it’s about getting, like, out of a tough period. It’s a happy song. Sex Disco was rocky, but this one is a bit more uplifting and meaningful, but still, we tried to maintain that silly element. I don’t know, could you say it was a little bit more melodic, as well? Sex Disco was more like a blues-y kind of song. It’s more sing-a-longy, I guess.
This segways into my next question, what do you guys do when you’re not finding life easy. What makes it easier for you?
MS: Good question, good question. Music helps! Definitely being in a tough situation, like a break-up, you can turn it into a song and make something out of it.
MS: First and foremost, we’re musicians, so music is the reason we get up in the morning and I feel like [it helps when] getting on with the day.
MS: When you are broken hearted, you make art with the pieces.
That was words of inspiration right there.
MS: We’ve got ourselves a wee Shakespeare.
“You make art with the pieces.” words of ultimate wisdom from Abel.
We were just talking about your gig before. Your sold out gig at 12 Bar recently, do you have any major highlights from that night?
MS: So much fun, eh. A highlight was just being able to play the brand new songs. Like, the brand, brand new songs. For me, it was really exciting when we were about to play Sex Disco, everyone was “yeah!” and that showed myself and rest the rest of us like, “wow, they’re familiar with the song”. We could see people singing our original music which is very exciting to see.
MS: It was fun getting the antics as well. Getting a little bit more like, theatrical with it. We want to get way more into that. Last gig I think was like, a good indication of the direction we want to move more towards when it comes to gigs, you know? Just getting more creative with it. Building more of a community with it. Our last gig felt like a real good community, everyone was just stoked.
MS: It’s cool to see, when planning a show, when it comes to theatrical stuff, it’s nice seeing something come to life. We played one of our new songs where I talked about Yannik being held captive by goblins, you know? That’s silly, but when he came out in his dishevelled, hunched over, gremlin persona, it was really funny because that’s just how I pictured it in my head. People thought it was funny. It wasn’t just some weird inside joke between all of us.
You bring such high energy to the stage, it always blows people away.
MS: It’s great, but it’s also kind of scary because you think “oh, wow, we’re getting more and more theatrical and outrageous” like, we’re going to have to keep getting more and more ridiculous. One day, we’re going to like, blow up or something. It’s great, but it will be our undoing, for sure.
I can’t wait to see your next show.
What do you think about Monk Seals appeals to the audience at your live shows?
(At this point I realised I had asked a very silly question.)
MS: We’d hope the music. We’re a very energetic band. We’ve had people say that they really like, as a group, our dynamic of personalities. I think when we’re all together, we have like, this alluring quality and you know. Maybe sometimes they want to come to see Yannik take his shirt off. They want to see Abel with his shirt off. They might just want to see me in my blue jumpsuit. There’s no real way of telling what’s going on inside of the audiences’ heads. They seem to enjoy it, so that’s cool. We’re just here to entertain.
MS: I think a lot of it is just something different, really. Personally, I don’t think there’s anyone else out there, well, of course there are, but not many people are doing the same kind of music we do, the same kind of live performance we do. It’s a lot of inspiration from when like, rock was really our main focus in the industry and we are just trying to incorporate what made it so good back then into today. I think people appreciate that because it is something that is so… That whole vibe, is just, I don’t know… People just like it.
MS: See, it’s a real throwback for some people with some of the sounds we use. Our song writing and structure is still quite different. It’s not like we’ve just looked at a textbook of 70s music or something. I suppose it seems that our music and personas are authentic because it’s not like we’re just trying to force what we do. It all comes very naturally to us. It’s who we are. We’ve just been like that for years. Even when we were younger, we were like that. We’ve always all about doing something that’s a bit out there. It doesn’t seem out there for us, but I guess for other people, it’s different. It’s organic.
Jono and Yannik performing recently at Loons, Lyttelton. Photo taken on the Sony A6000.
With New Zealand music becoming more popular both locally and internationally, do you think there need to be changes in the way New Zealand musicians are supported?
MS: Oh, absolutely. As an artist, it’s kind of hard to become more and more utilitarian, there’s not much support for the arts. Christchurch isn’t the most, you know, artsy kind of [place]. It’s not a place like Wellington where it’s more celebrated. Artists need to get a lot more support and recognition and be valued as contributors to society. What would the world be like without art or music? Otherwise, everything is just bland without art.
I agree with you there. I’m obviously not a musician, but just seeing what you guys go through to get enough recognition as international artists is a hell of a lot harder here.
MS: It is a big fight these days. There’s so much competition out there. To ask for more recognition, it’s like, yeah, but at the same time, everyone wants that. There is going to be a whole thing that there are some people that do get more recognition. It’s like, clawing your way to the top.
MS: It’s real hard to earn decent money through streaming, as well. You know, we accept reduced royalties, which in my opinion, is a bit like robbery. Artists need to be looked on more seriously instead of [being looked at like] a bunch of hipsters, strumming guitars… Because a lot of work goes into it.
MS: It’s not just all fun and games and grabbing ass, that’s for sure.
I don’t know how you can get ahead. As you said, Christchurch is not the most artistic place and there aren’t enough venues for you to play.
MS: It’s hard when you know, you have instances where people are complaining about noise control and stuff, that’s ridiculous. Bit of a Donny move. It does make it really hard for artists and business owners in general because you know, business and music go hand-in-hand, it’s entertainment.
Would you guys ever consider moving to a different city to pursue music further?
MS: New country, new cities. Aussies got it going on. They appreciate it over there. They appreciate more bands over there, you know? As opposed to here, it’s very D&B orientated. “What’s everyone doing in the weekend?” “D&B!” you know?
MS: It gets bland after a while.
MS: It’s a lot more supportive. The culture is more fitting for it.
How do you feel you can inspire upcoming musicians that want to do what you’re doing?
MS: Because we play part instruments and we don’t really use drum machines or things like that, I feel like that’s dying out nowadays. Real music is live. To all the up-and-coming rockers that want to start their own band, we want to inspire people to be like, yeah, bands can make it, you can play your instruments, you don’t have to go all, I don’t know, techie and stuff in production.
MS: You have to work for it. What I’d encourage a young, upcoming artist… Don’t try to be like anyone. Just be you. I’d encourage artists to be themselves. The best work will come out of doing what feels right for them.
MS: 100%. Love what you do, eh. Back yourself.
MS: Oblivion is bliss.
MS: We were like, 14, 15 when we started off. I joined Monk Seals in year 10 and we just wanted to play rock music and that’s how we’d spend our lunchtime. Every morning tea and lunchtime for the whole year. We weren’t great at first, but we had the ambition and the drive.
MS: We would just jam and it would sound pretty good. Obviously, we weren’t the best, just all those years we’ve gotten to know each other, we’ve just gotten better and better. Since we were all close friends, just having that strong friendship really helps as a musician. When you’re in a band, it’s all about relationships.
MS: But mostly, HAVE FUN! As cheesy as it sounds.
MS: At the end of the day, nobody is going to have fun for you.
This interview was just too much fun, I had to join in for a photo. Taken by the Monk Seals’ lovely manager.
I just wanted to touch on the EP, how’s that going?
MS: Coming along. To be honest, she’s pretty ready to go. For now, it’s just getting everything ready for it and some slight admin. Yeah, it’s pretty complete. Stoked with how it’s going. We are all fidgeting on our fingers every listen and we can’t wait to get it out there and see what people think.
Is the EP coming out sometime soon?
MS: That’s very hush hush. I don’t think you’ll need to wait too long.
Is there anything else coming up for you guys that you can talk about?
MS: Yeah, for sure. Two gigs coming up. We are going to be performing at Duke Festival which is on the 25th of March and we are also playing at The Village Inn in Sumner for the Tuawera Classic, both surf comps and that’s on the 31st of March, which is very exciting. Apart from that, there’s another song coming out. Just random stuff that’s going to be available.
MS: All in good time. A lot of music. Being in the music industry, a lot of it is just waiting.
Is there anything else you’d like to add to the interview?
MS: I was just thinking about young bands that want to become a thing, become a cover band before you say you’re a band so when you start off, you start jamming and don’t announce that you’re a band. You’ve got to test the waters.
MS: Thank you! We always appreciate a talk.
Oh, thank you guys!
MS: Always a pleasure and always great questions.
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A huge thank you to Yannik, Jono and Abel for taking the time to chat last week. Unfortunately, their fourth member was unavailable to partake in the interview this time.
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