Being in a band is supposed to be about having a good time. Somewhere along the way a lot of bands lose that original idea and focus too much on the business of music. Our recent discovery, Santa Semeli and The Monks definitely have not forgotten how to have fun.
We caught up with the eclectic party band to get a little deeper into the fun. Enjoy our interview with them:
First off, what is with the name SANTA SEMELI AND THE MONKS?
It is a sainthood of entertainment. Santa means saint, Semeli is my name and the Monks are there to serve the cause of music and entertainment.
How would you describe your sound?
Eclectic, varied and honest. It comes from the heart and follows the story that needs to be told.
Which bands have had the biggest influence on you?
I come from a classical background so that is the music that’s in my DNA. People like J.S.Bach, Mozart and Beethoven are more rock and roll than most people out there today. They were visionaries, anti-establishment and very innovative in their approach. The fact that we still hear them today is because they wrote hits that leaked out to the masses.
From a more contemporary standpoint, I like The Beatles because of their variety of songwriting and The Velvet Underground for its originality and poetry.
How does a song come together for the band? What is your songwriting process?
It comes. How do you decide what to eat?
Your latest song and accompanying video for “WHERE IS THE DISCO IN THIS TOWN?” seem like a real party. Tell us about it,
That’s what we wanted to achieve. A sense of celebration and coming together of people. The disco spirit is within us but also there to be shared and enjoyed with our fellow humans.
I have to ask, where did you get those outfits in the video?
They are all mine. I collected them over the years. The coloured velvet catsuit I wear is a vintage Katharine Hamnett piece that was given to me by a friend.
Give us some advice for other bands having fun with their music?
Keep having fun. If you don’t, nobody else will.
What does the future hold for SANTA SEMELI AND THE MONKS?
World domination!
Keep the party going with a visit to their WEBSITE.
