Some time ago I met up with Julie Crawford, better known in creative circles as Monkoora, for a chat about her life and her art. Sometime later, sorry, I’ve composed a feature piece from the conversation which you can find below, hopefully giving some insight to the Glaswegian’s captivating crafts. Anchored around the release of her Nuclear BB EP, a record which is out now on Hotgem, this should give you a taste of what to expect. As such, right now if you are so inclined, you can read our review of that very EP, download it from iTunes, and as mentioned learn something about its conception in the paragraphs below.

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From routine guitar lessons to self-taught piano as a teenager, the inclination to be an artist has always been with Julie Crawford, who now plies her eclectic and mind-bending trade under the moniker of Monkoora. Unable to find anyone with a similar musical mindset at high school with whom to form that dream garage band, she instead withdrew to creating music from a library of loops featuring vocals, pianos, distorted effects and whatever else seemed fitting. With the internet yet to be populated with a wealth of how to guides on the subject it was very much a DIY affair at the outset, an approach which permeates Crawford’s music to date. Skipping forward in time from those practice rooms, we find another musical accompaniment to education in the soundtrack that was generated for a degree show entitled WORSHIP. A concept imagined and realised in full by one person, it tells in stop motion the tale of an alternative dimension laced with powerful forbidden fruits, with a musical side that strikes the appropriate tone for this otherworldly saga. Fitting this under the Monkoora umbrella, these tracks and the other “initial” cuts which can be found on Bandcamp highlight a broken yet melodic nature to the overall aesthetic and sonic identity of the project.

This could certainly be a natural evolution from those grassroots beginnings, as layers of knowledge and experience are added like loops on a track to flesh out the enthralling final product. In terms of the basis of the overall audio-visual artefact of WORSHIP, this too was constructed as the sum of abstract parts to make a coherent yet warped whole. Inspired in part by a frequent and picturesque commute, dreams are also a pivotal part of Crawford’s art, once again flagging up the notion of incremental composition as tracks are originally formed based on experience rather than necessarily growing from the ground up on a defined path. This intrinsic inconsistency leads to a varied output which consequently fuels a longing for that “All your songs sound the same!” criticism, or some tangible common thread at the very least. Inverting the talk of dreams, there is no naivety here about attaining that self-sustaining employment position in the creative sector. Whilst she’s content to focus on her art, both Monkoora and beyond, for a time the treacherous and difficult path required has been mapped, but there's confidence in the rewards to be achieved, both in terms of money and indulging your passion.

Having both evolved and devolved several times as a composer, Crawford’s writing style has departed from layered loops through knowledge and experience as mentioned previous. With access to more equipment and information, the scope of possibility has expanded, but the tendency for inconsistent outcomes remains true. Now under the name of Monkoora, taken as an accidental misspell (more on that later) of the title of an exotica track called ‘Moon of Manakoora’ from the 1950s, which you can listen to on YouTube should the fancy it. With the notion of the exotica genre aligning with her own penchant for fantasy and escapism the name seemed particularly fitting, and more original with some rearranged letters. Following the independent releases you can find on the Bandcamp above, contact was eventually made with Clair Crawford of Glasgow-based management agency and record label Hotgem, which resulted initially in 2016’s Pale Slopes EP and now this year’s follow-up release Nuclear BB. Both releases are based in electronic sounds and consist of equal parts excitement and a haunting dread. However, it’s not just the music and amplified voice that this connection has brought, it’s experience and opportunity, with perhaps the most notable example being an inclusion at Anna Meredith’s graphene-related residency at the Manchester Science Museum, which is quite special as far as second live performances go.

Apart from “real world” Influences, two bands have a particularly significant hand in moulding the approach and sound of Monkoora, The Birthday Massacre and Mindless Self Indulgence, two conflicting artists held dear from teenage rebellion until now. From dreamy progressions to bombastic beats you can experience tinges of each on Nuclear BB. The title stems from Crawford’s proximity to the Faslane naval base and is a play on the idea of the nuclear family when the parents of that family are employed at that base. Enthused by the colours of the peace camp the aesthetic is suitably psychedelic and the music is as diverse as expected, it’s also imbued with a political edge which people are taking all too literally. Both ‘Bocx Wurld’ and ‘Straddlin’ The Fence’ (that’s not ‘Straddalin’, a mystery spelling mistake which we’re promised was not the artist’s fault) featured explicitly vocalised opinions, which certainly come across as such. However, the intention was almost the opposite, as the true purpose of those segments was to highlight a discontentment with the state of things and a desire to disengage, not to preach from a pedestal. This is not to say she’s devoid of opinion or prone to shying away from important topics, it’s just not what Nuclear BB is meant to convey. In this case and others it seems that Monkoora is an enjoyable outlet for the creative storm inside Julie Crawford, whilst remaining firmly rooted in reality despite its many fantastical elements. Garnering recognition and spreading the music is the next step, and with a Scottish Alternative Music Awards nomination under her belt already, the path onwards is surely vivid. 

Last up for this years Franklin Fest 17 special is Lili Zeller of grease monkeys Chrome Reverse, who will be headlining on the Saturday evening. 

DS: Bonjour Lili, could you tell us a little bit about the background of the band?  

LZ: We're Iwan (bass), Dave (guitar), Yan (drums) and myself (guitar and vocals). We're four music lovers and rock'n'roll fans and we obviously all met through music, I think it was at gigs. Iwan and I already had teamed up for a punk rock band in the '90s called The No-Talents. We all share a preference for the raw and greasy kind of rock'n'roll from the late '50s and early '60s.

DS: What it is about that period in time that particularly appeals to you?

LZ: Because it's between two eras, it's a sort of mutant. It's not yet THEE '60s and still pure rock and roll. We have a weakness for the untamed, dirty sounding rockers that weren't necessarily the top virtuosos. Lots of fun and exciting sounds. 

DS: I can't argue with that. Could you pinpoint a few songs that stand out for you?

'Doggone It Baby' - The Rock-A-Teens

'Red Headed Flea' - The Caps

'My Mind's Made Up' - The Renowns

DS: It's great that you can take inspiration from both eras. Most bands just seem to stick to either one or the other. Do you write most of the songs for the band, or is it more of a collaborative effort?

LZ: Yes, I do.

DS: Fab. Will this be the first time in Edinburgh for the band, and who are you looking forward to seeing play?

LZ: Yes, it's the first time. There are so many bands I don't know, and I'm looking forward to seeing them all! But I'm really thrilled to see Russ & Saskia as BIG RUSS WILKINS & LIGHTNING HOLLING. I think everything they've done in their previous projects is brilliant! I also know Los Coyote Men from the old days, and MFC Chicken sure will be fun, I love The Wailers. Earlier this year we played with The Bucky Rage and Professor Baba at Weirdsville in London so it will be nice to see them again. Hope to see you all at the Franklin Fest!!

The latest Chrome Reverse album is available both here and here, or directly from the band's bandcamp page here. 

Photo credits: V Berazeth and Alain Marie.

Tickets for the Franklin Fest can be obtained here. 

Today, in our Franklin Fest 2017 special, step up Spencer Envoy of MFC Chicken and Gastronauts fame.

DS: Welcome Spencer. For those who aren't in the know, please could you give a little history of how the band met, and your musical background..

SE: The band started when I moved from Canada to the UK 7 years ago. I put the word out that I wanted to put together a group to play music inspired by '50s rhythm and blues and the '60s Pacific Northwest sound of The Sonics and The Wailers, and through the miracle of modern technology (Gumtree) I found a group of like minded individuals. We started rehearsing above a former fried chicken shop on Holloway Road, that's where we got the name.

DS: Okay, and what attracted you to that particular kind of music, was it something you discovered as a teenager? Can you remember what particular tunes were the turning point for you?

SE: As a teenager in the early 2000s I was really inspired by the so-called "garage rock revival", with bands like The White Stripes and, particularly, The Hives. I loved that high energy rock and roll sound and that's what made me want to be in a band. The first song I learned was 'Hate to Say I Told You So'. Then I basically traced their influences back to The Sonics, hearing their version of 'Have Love Will Travel' blew my mind and I understood then where The Hives etc. were coming from. Then it's logical to go back from there to Little Richard and Chuck Berry and that primal, exciting, fun sound always felt like the way to go for me.

DS: Fantastic! Was MFC Chicken your first band? I can definitely hear the influences you mentioned, The Sonics, The Wailers, and just good old fashioned Rock 'n' Roll.

SE: My first band was called The Xyphoid Process, back in high school. We played Hives, White Stripes, Ramones, Sex Pistols and Kinks stuff, as well as original material in that vein. I just sang in that band. Then I had a band called the Vestaloynes at college, moving in a more Sonics-styled direction...then I started playing sax, and MFC Chicken was the first band in which I considered myself equally a sax player and singer.

DS: ..and where does that voice come from?!

SE: Some people seemed surprised at my voice, I think my voice might not quite match my appearance. Maybe it sounds like it comes from a larger, older dude. I'm okay with that.

DS: Your voice is pretty astounding I have to say. When I first heard MFC Chicken I was like, oh my goodness, this guy sounds like Gerry Roslie! Enough of the flattery, haha!

SE: Well getting a Gerry Roslie comparison is the highest compliment, so I'll take it!

DS: I saw you at last year's Franklin Fest with The Gastronauts. That was so much fun, did you enjoy doing it, and do you plan to record?

SE: Yeah, that Gastronauts gig was one of the most amusing shows that I can recall playing. It actually started as a food-themed recording project that Angus McPake and I conceived of, so there are already a trove of recordings that may well be released in some form or another in the future. We'll see!

DS: I look forward to hearing that. So turning to this year's Franklin Fest... MFC Chicken doing the songs of The Wailers. It's almost too exciting!

SE: Yes it's something I've been excited about as well! The Wailers are obviously one of our major influences, so it's a natural fit I think. We'll cover the whole breadth of The Wailers catalogue from The Fabulous Wailers LP until the mid 60's Etiquette singles. Hopefully we'll hit all the fan favourites and more, and this will be the only chance to hear us doing this special Wailers set, so come check it out! We even have special outfits for the show.

DS: Cool, I can’t wait to see you guys play. Lastly, could you please describe the Franklin Rock ‘n’ Roll Club for those who haven't been before?

SE: The Franklin has to be the most fun you can have in a cricket club. I think it must be experienced to be fully understood.

DS: Absolutely.

Infinite thanks to Spencer for taking the time out if his busy schedule to chat. You can catch MFC Chicken at a venue near you, details can be found on their Facebook page here and don't miss them performing the songs of The Wailers on Friday 30th June, tickets for this gig can be found here.

Up next... I had the great privilege of chatting to international heartthrob and Sultan of the Squared Circle, Sir Randy "Captain Dynamite" Hornocker of Los Coyote Men. 

RH: Ah Ms. Sheringham, I've been expecting you. Sit yourself down kick off your shoes. You're in the company of Randy "Captain Dynamite" Hornocker of thee fabulous Coyote Men!

DS: Can I call you Randy?

RH: You can call me Randy.

DS: Randy, could you give (for those who are not in the know) a brief history of Thee Fabulous Coyote Men?

RH: The Mighty Masked Marvels of Moron-o-phonic Mayhem have a long and un-illustrious past as thee first All Rockin' Lucha Libre Rock 'n' Roll Grapplin' Garage Punk Combo™ spanning some 20 odd years with the distinction of NEVER completing a single year without splitting up! Using my colossal cranium I deduce that if we base the career of the band purely on the time we have spent as an active concern, we have toured extensively throughout Europe/Canada/The US of A and released 5 albums and a baker's dozen of 45's all in the space of 3 months...'n' that's a scientific fact.

DS: Wow, that's pretty impressive! and of course you had a few releases on Estrus during their heyday - that must have been pretty exciting?

RH: Exciting? It was a dream come true... for Estrus!!! Mr. Mono Man the master of mullet Davey Crider flew himself to England with the sole purpose of gettin' his hands on the John Hancocks of myself, Randy "Captain Dyn-o-mite" Hornocker a.k.a. Thee Grand Poobah of the Electrical Geetar and Helmut "The Bruiser" Von Schoen, going as far as to threatened to burn down the Estrus empire if we didn't join the Bellingham big boys on his fine roster of rock. Dave treated Los Coyotes real nice and flew us out to the Garage Shock fest and arranged a U S of A tour, so Los Coyote Men repaid him by recording a tribute to Captain Crider in the form of our Dull City Records hit 45 'Mullet Man', what can i say, we've got a collective heart of gold.

DS: Indeed. I saw you play recently in Newcastle supporting King Salami & The Cumberland Three, that was a pretty wild night..

RH: Oh yeah Prince Saveloy and the Hot Dog Trio, that was the first time back in action for Los Fabulous Coyote Men 'n' the first with new bassonist "Slapsey" Maxie Rosenbloom II, so I mark that one an "A-" for rockability on behalf of Thee Sultans of The Squared Circle.

DS: And since you're playing at the Franklin Fest next weekend, what can the punters look forward to? Is this the first time in Scotland for Los Coyote Men?

RH: As you'll witness at the Franklin Fest, Debs, I can call you Debs can't I? Scotland was the first place to take Los Coyote Men to it's deep fried heart. In fact Edinburgh's swingin' spot The Cas Rock Club (R.I.P.) was the scene of the second Coyote Men show and the last appearance of "Slapsey" Maxie I. He shuffled off this mortal coil in a car park on the journey home from the show. Doctor's said they'd never seen a case like it and that he'd died of shame. I myself, Sir Randolph Hornocker, have had many a great time spreading the sports/rock entertainment live spectacle to Los Coyotes tartan horde and categorically deny the frankly absurd rumour that I was once thrown headfirst through two sets of doors into the street and banned from playing with Los Coyotes...lies damn lies!

DS: Okay, so a night of mayhem is pretty likely! I look forward to seeing your interactions with Franklin Rock ‘n’ Roll Club’s cartwheeling barmaid Brenda...

RH: Yeah word on the wire is Brenda's a live one! Scotland will be receiving the usual Coyote Men all out organised chaos no more no less as Thee Greatest Four Man Rock 'n' Roll Wrestlin' Combo only have two speeds 'n' thats "Goin' 'n' Gone"! We be sittin' on a mountain of top of the pops tunes so maybe there'll be a 12" headin' your way soon but 'til then there's a brand new 7" out on FOLC Records in Spain that's crazy limited to 250 copies in four different hand screen printed sleeves featuring individual shots of each fantastic member of Los Coyotes (Obviously there's an extra few copies of the one featurin' the ladies choice The Randster!). Hey, Deb are you sure you haven't kicked off your shoes? There's a funny smell about...

You can catch Randy and the phenominal Los Coyote Men on the Saturday evening of the Franklin Fest, details here. Further details of the band can be found here.