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Interview with Santa Semeli & The Monks
Their lyrics confront and engage with the human condition, the real lived experience that each of us uncomfortably recognizes
Tim Forster
21 September 2014
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| Photo by Ben Buchanan. |
Love, Life and Happy Endings?
Santa Semeli and the Monks are eclectic, impossible to pigeon hole they veer between European avant garde and punk, echoes of Henry Cow, Nick Cave and ‘Cabaret’ sit alongside full on rock! Their lyrics confront and engage with the human condition, the real lived experience that each of us uncomfortably recognizes, dealing with hope, disappointment, love, lust and our own inconsistencies. Full of honesty and warmth their album is like listening to the soundtrack of you life-not your Facebook life your real life-evoking memories that make you smile and wince.
In a pub near Camden Semeli Economou and Haraldur Agustsson agreed to an interview with Tim Forster.
Santa Semeli and the Monks are eclectic, impossible to pigeon hole they veer between European avant garde and punk, echoes of Henry Cow, Nick Cave and ‘Cabaret’ sit alongside full on rock! Their lyrics confront and engage with the human condition, the real lived experience that each of us uncomfortably recognizes, dealing with hope, disappointment, love, lust and our own inconsistencies. Full of honesty and warmth their album is like listening to the soundtrack of you life-not your Facebook life your real life-evoking memories that make you smile and wince.
In a pub near Camden Semeli Economou and Haraldur Agustsson agreed to an interview with Tim Forster.
Q: How long have Santa Semeli and the Monks been a musical entity? How did you meet and decide that you wanted to collaborate musically?
S: We got together as a musical entity in September 2013. We studied together at the same drama school, but we are a few generations apart. We actually met in December 2012 when I cast Haraldur in my short film The Burning Bush. Here’s a funny little anecdote: I got hold of Haraldur’s phone number to ask him if he was interested in playing a part in the film. I called a few times and left some messages to no avail. Eventually someone on a bus who sounded like a young kid and drunk picked up the phone. I asked if he had time to act in my film. ‘What’s the part then?’ So I started telling him all about the abstract nature of it…’Do you know Kokoschka?’ ‘Nah what’s that?’ I then asked if he was free to shoot on Saturday ‘Nah I’ve got school.’ ‘What on a Saturday?’ ‘Yeahhh’ We eventually hung up the phone. I thought he was the rudest guy ever. I told some people about it and they couldn’t believe it…Long story short I was given the wrong number. Haraldur could not be more different than the guy I’d spoken to. Thinking about it makes me laugh! Who did that poor kid think I was? A secret admirer? A prankster? Hahaha!!!
H: We had a good connection right from the start even though we knew nothing about each other but I really enjoyed being directed by Semeli, so when she approached me again I was curious to see where it would lead us. And here we are.
S: One single and an album later. All in less than a year. Not bad eh?
Q: How did you settle on Santa Semeli and the Monks as a band name?
H: It came to us one night at the pub after a lot of pondering.
S: It’s a long story but to cut to the chase: Who are the contemporary Saints of today and what do they offer? I think it’s a funny name and it makes everyone work with the right ethics and intentions, i.e to love and serve. Very fitting for music. It makes it better. Plus wouldn’t it be great for religion to serve art as opposed to art serving religion? If you’re going to be an icon, you might as well go all the way and do some good in this world. Don’t fuck with the monks!
Q: Do either of you have a musical history?
S: My father was a brilliant concert pianist. A virtuoso and a composer so I grew up being exposed around great music and musicians. I had piano lessons too but I hated them, except for one nice teacher that I had when I was ten. I would often improvise with my dad on two pianos which was always fun! He would say to me: ‘You don’t need to play piano to be a pianist, or to prove anything to anyone, but wouldn’t it be nice to be able to play for your friends?’ I totally agree and I think that’s a beautiful thing to be able to do.
H: There is a rich singing culture in Iceland where I grew up. My parents sang in choirs and so did I from a young age as well as learning to play the guitar from the age of 8.
Q: What bands would you place yourself near on the musical spectrum?
S: I have no idea. What do you think? I don’t really consider us a band. We just are, you know? Whatever that means….
