indifferentMonKeY.
Interview conducted on March 22, 2021
By Dan Locke
From a love of making music is indifferentMonKeY. The band are influenced by an eclectic mix of Trip Hop, Heavy Rock, Funk, Jazz, Electronic and Pop. (If you need to label it we guess “New Trip Hop”kind of says it.
With four very recent singles out, (started releasing only in Sept 2021) the band have had an amazing start to 2021 after being played numerous times on BBC introducing and getting play listed by the iconic KCRW in LA. indifferentmonkey are getting extensive airplay on the “Amazing Radio” platform, and lots of airplay on indie stations in the UK and the USA. The single “Naked White Noise” has been chosen to be on the new VR game “Billy Talent’s Notebook” due out in early 2022.
indifferentMonKeY are:
- Belle: Vocals
- Joe Lowe: Writer, arranger and producer. Bass Guitar, Guitars, Strings, Vocals.
- Luke Wilding: Bass & Guitars
- Keith Ashcroft: Bass & Guitars (Guitarist on “Murder on the Dancefloor” by Gregg Alexander and Sophie Ellis-Bextor). Keith very sadly passed away suddenly a few months ago. RIP Keith Ashcroft. We’ll always miss you always.
- Drums: George Ashcroft-Smith
How would you describe your sound?
Our sound is very eclectic. We like to refer to it as “Heavy Trip Hop” as it has elements of Heavy Rock and Trip Hop. It also has influences from Funk, Jazz, Afro and I guess plain Pop. But calling it Heavy Jazz Funky Afro Pop Trip Hop would have been too much of a mouthful I reckon. 🙂
Who are some of your musical influences?
As the description of the ’sound suggests’ the influences are drawn from all types of things. Main influences are Black Sabbath, Massive Attack, Adele and lately Billy Eilish. We also like to think we sound like ‘indifferent monkey’ as we want to sound as original as we can.
Talk about the story behind your new song “God or Machine?.”
The song is generally about isolation, physically or mentally, as in being trapped in a bad habit, or in a negative way of thinking, where there seems to be no escape from. However, it also optimistic in that it also calls for optimism and self-belief. A God or Machine may or may not save you. Who really knows? But self-respect along with respect for others will.
What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?
We’ve had wonderful feedback from fans. We are on a few platforms like ReverbNation and one called “Drooble” We have been in the top ten alternative bands in the UK on ReverbNation for months (Being number one in the UK for at least a month) and we are in the top three best reviewed songs on Drooble. Generally speaking, the feedback often describes the song as ‘Very Cool” and “My new favorite song” to “What a gem” to “Oh yeah this is one of the dopest songs on Drooble! I like how you used different foley to paint good visuals. I like the lyrics as well. great performance. I love the vocals as well” ….there are too many to mention here but this is the kind of feedback we’ve been getting and its all very humbling and lovely to hear. We just need to get out to a larger fan base. This interview is a great help for example. 🙂
How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?
The video was filmed locally on Morecambe Bay (Northwest UK) with an iPhone. Ryan Martin from Jammerzine described it perfectly (Better than I could) … “The video, in my opinion, encapsulates the darkly sensual and introvertedly rhythmic sense of self within the song. Belle’s voice is angelic with a touch of sin and her walk on the beach gives that longing for what once was in this world. Doing that with style is an originality just out of reach from most but firmly in the grasp of indifferent Monkey. Future funk with a touch of the new reality” https://jammerzine.com/first-look-indifferentmonkey-god-or-machine
What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?
With “God or Machine?” The music was born from the baseline and groove and has been around in my back-up files for a while. Then it was built upon with the lyrics much later. Most of my writing starts with the music first and the lyrics seem to just fall into their natural rhythms and places.
How much of hand do you have in the production of your music?
Everything… apart from the final mastering lately. We use a guy in LA for the mastering called Elliot James Mullhern (who’s worked with Hey Monday’s signing to Columbia Records and tours w/ Fall Out Boy, 50 Cent, Justin Bieber + All American Rejects) Elliot is great to work with for me. I do all the writing, composing and production from drum mapping to live instruments and vocals. And mix….and mix …and mix. My amazing wife Lucy is like a Goddess with her support and never-ending patience…. most of the time!
What are some themes you’ll be exploring on your new EP Inner Lockdown?
All songs are now recorded for the EP. There is just some fine tuning to do on two of them. There’s “Trouble with You” (Which is also now out on all streaming platforms) which is about that morning after feeling after partying all night, with a tinge of regret in the cold light of day. There’s God or Machine? Which we are discussing here. Then Inner Lockdown which was inspired by the recent Covid-19 crisis but is exploring the mental health impacts of lockdowns. And finally, “Naked White Noize” which likes to think its promoting Love and Peace on the Big Blue Planet” …. which hopefully it is!
What songs on the EP challenged you the most to create?
Technically speaking “Trouble With you” as the drums were recorded live over an earlier demo a few years ago. They were actually recorded in a studio in Belgium (too long a story to explain here) then the bass and guitars added recently by the now late great Keith Ashcroft. (Keith just happened to be my brother-in-law but also a top player. (He played with some great musicians and was the session guitarist on the “Sophie Ellis Bextor” hit “Murder on the Dancefloor”. As Kieth suddenly passed away last Nov before the release of this song it holds very heartfelt deep personal sentiments, as he laid down both the bass and guitars on it. Therefore, producing it all for the single was a joy mixed with a broken heart. Luckily he heard a ‘more or less’ final mix of the track before he died and he loved it. He is sorely missed as not only a great musician but as one of the loveliest and funniest people you could ever wish to meet. At least 400 people stood outside the local music shop (where he worked) as we passed on the day of the funeral. The funeral procession stopped for two minutes and there was a huge rapturous applause. A true testament to how much he was loved in this part of the world. Yeah …so that was a challenge!
What tracks hold a special place in your heart and why?
“Trouble With You”, not only because of what happened to Keith, but it’s a song that’s been around as demo idea for ages. It was great to finally get into shape and expel it from my heart for other people to hopefully enjoy.
What do you hope listeners take away from listening to Inner Lockdown as a whole?
Closed eyes, head nodding. (God or Machine?). Then an audio journey into a kitchen dance with “Trouble With You”. Followed by jaw dropping intro that leads into a mosh pit air guitar dance off with “Naked White Noise” and a cycling exercise bike overdose with (Inner lockdown). Joy sweat and tears all in one, I hope.
With concerts currently on hold, will you be doing some live streaming events to promote the EP?
There’s a chance we might do one in May at The Ferret in Preston. We will certainly be gigging as soon as it is allowed in full, and we have a stella track list lined up.
Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?
In my dreams that would be Tricky. In reality I am always looking and collaborating with very talented people. Keith, although he was family, was a dream player to work with. Another great guitarist (and bassist) I work with is Luke Wilding (Luke plays on God or Machine? And quite a few other tracks). The drummer is George Ashcroft (Keith’s Son) and he is simply amazing. Our singer Belle on the first few singles and a few other singers we are working with. We are recording with a superb young singer called “Pippa” next week and I cannot wait!
What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?
That’s a difficult one to pin down, especially when it comes to simply listening to music. My wife and I do enjoy sitting next to each other playing all sorts from Duran Duran to Adele, Sabbath, Tricky, Massive Attack and lots of fun Motown as the drinks go down. I particular Dig Red Snapper at the moment and seem to be playing The Sleepless a bit too much for her liking!
You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?
I don’t think I use SM enough. Its a great way to update people and share good news. We were recently play listed by the iconic KCRW radio station in LA. That got a few people sitting up! Which is how it seeming to roll on social media. Also, I could share that with Sean Mcginty from our local BBC Introducing station who has supported us a lot this year already. We pick up fans from all over the world from Australia, USA, UK (of course) and South America. Its a very important tool if I ever get my head around how to use it properly.
What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?
To anyone and everyone who has ‘liked’ us, given great reviews, and supported us in any way shape or form, we are really grateful. Every positive comment gives us courage to keep making those tracks. Especially during a time when there are no gigs (hence you are walking a little blind) to get that all important enthusiasm that every band/artist/musician needs. Thank you for the interview and love and peace to all.
