Saucy Monky is an interesting mix of 90s alternative, great songwriting, catchy hooks and a healthy dose of attitude that’s down right infectious and hard to resist. They are one of those bands that you may not know the name, but you know the music. The band has had several songs featured on such Nickelodeon shows as Drake and Josh, iCarly and Zoey101. They have also been featured on Veronica Mars, Alcatraz and Blue Bloods. Self-described as one part Alanis Morissette, one part Garbage and a touch of Aimee Mann; the band has been crafting their sound for over ten years now on the indie circuit.
The band came together in 2001 with Dublin born Annmarie Cullen on guitar and vocals, Cynthia Catania on guitar and vocals, Steve Giles on Bass and Megan Jane on drums. They’ve shared the stage with such big names as PJ Harvey, Pink and the Black Eyed Peas. Their latest EP entitled Trophy Girl Pt. 2 was just released and is the follow-up to…….wait for it…Trophy Girl Pt. 1, which was released in 2012. I was fortunate to get together with Annmarie and Cynthia to discuss upcoming plans for the band as well as why sometimes things work out better when you don’t have a plan.
Hello ladies! I hope life is treating you well this early morning. What do you say we jump right into this? I love the band name and I guess we can start with its origin.
Cynthia Catania/Saucy Monky: There is a story behind it, but it’s not particularly fascinating. We were solo, singer/songwriters when we met and coming from that world, we wanted to do something a little more fun and light hearted. Our experience working together was a welcomed relief to do something with a group of people and have a lot more fun, so we wanted to get a name that matched that endeavor. We were looking around for a name and I had this book by Tina Brown and I think the title was Life as a Party and there was a phrase in it that had something to do with being a saucy monkey and in reference to life in U.K.. That kind of won the lottery for us.
I read that Trophy Girl was being released in three different parts. Is that correct?
Annmarie Cullen/Saucy Monky: Yes, but the third CD is the full album which will feature all three parts as one collection.
Was there a method to the madness in the decision to do it this way?
Annmarie: I think there were a few reasons; number one is that we wanted to get product out there soon without waiting for the whole collection to be finished. Number two is that we wanted to feed people certain songs bit by bit. A lot of times, you release the record and there’s a big splash and then you have nothing new to give to your fans and especially in this iTunes age of a singles market. People seem to have smaller appetites for ten songs at a time and a larger appetite for three songs at a time because it’s easier to digest. We had something new and interesting to say every few months rather than doing a big splash and then not be able to keep it going. We’re an indie band and we don’t have that huge marketing machine behind us that we can do a video for every song on the album just to keep it fresh. Is that pretty accurate Cyn?
Cynthia: Yeah, I think it was definitely two fold. It was for us to get music out there as quick as we could and also taking the singles market into mind. We came up with the idea, although I am sure we’re not the first ones to do it, and we wanted to give it a try and I think it’s been working out really well for us this year.
I love how you said for the consumer to digest. I’ve heard other artists refer to it as the attention span of the consumer is not like it was in the past. It’s shorter now and that’s why bands and artists are so singles driven as opposed to an entire album as a piece of art.
Annmarie: I think it’s unfortunate in some ways. I remember it was a whole ritual for me when a band would release a CD or a record. You would go to the store to buy it, you took it home, you took out the sleeve or the in-lay card and hopefully there were lyrics there, you read it and you knew who was behind it and who produced it. You played the whole thing from start to finish and it was a real ritual. I think now with this digital market that you just don’t have that now and it’s a bit of a pity.
Cynthia: I also think that there are things out now that you didn’t have when we were kids. Can you imagine if YouTube had been around when we were kids and you could watch your favorite band? I would have never moved away from my computer!
Yeah, so much for the days of watching MTV all day long in hopes of catching your favorite bands new video.
Cynthia: I just remember how it felt when my favorite band had something new going on the radio or on tv back then and it was just like Christmas.
Watch “Awkward”
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I had read that you experienced success over in Ireland with your 2003 album Celebrity Trash early on in the band’s career. What’s the story behind that?
Annmarie: Yeah, I think there were really just two key elements to it. Number one, we weren’t really trying at all and we were as shocked as anyone else. I was home for Christmas and there are a few key DJs in Ireland that had a national nighttime radio show that played a lot of indie artists and had a huge listenership. I sent in a copy at Christmas in Christmas paper to look like a present, with a t-shirt too (and it wasn’t even a mastered copy, it was more like a demo). I just wanted to make him aware of the band and he played it that week. From that, a music publication that’s over there called Hot Press wrote something about us and then other magazines started writing stuff about us and then other stations started playing our songs over there as well. Hot Press used our song “Don’t Wanna to Know Your Name” in their TV and radio campaign as well.
Cynthia/: It was great, but it wasn’t planned. You know, it’s funny how you don’t have a plan and things just work out.
Annmarie: Simultaneously on one of the pop stations, someone picked up this dance remix of “Disco Ball” that we had on our first EP. We actually had three different versions of that song that we put out. It’s kind of funny because these days, we don’t release things no matter how long it takes to make them right, but in the early days we just kept putting things out and releasing them again. (laughs)
Do you have any plans as of now to go out and promote the new EP?
Annmarie: We played Santa Barbara Pride on July 13 and O.C. Pride on August 10. We also will be playing the San Diego Indiefest on August 17 as well. We love the whole festival scene!
That’s a pretty funky album cover for Trophy Girl Part 2. How did you come up with that?
Annmarie: It was by accident really; the mannequin’s name is Sophia that a friend of mine had in a yard sale. We were doing a shoot the next week and I asked if we could borrow the mannequin and she said yes. It was a total accident!
Ok, now that’s twice in this interview that things have happened by total accident. I think I am seeing a pattern here. (laughs)
Cynthia: It’s interesting too because we had been through several photo shoots that just didn’t work. You know, sometimes no matter how hard you try, things just don’t always work out. It’s funny how when you’re not trying sometimes and things just work out. I think sometimes you try really hard or too hard and it just doesn’t work.
One last question and it’s my music nerd question of name three albums that influenced you as an artist.
Annmarie: Growing up, it was Prince Purple Rain because it was great and just so “wackitty-do” at the same time. The album tracks were so crazy; it was just so beautifully weird. More recently, Aimee Mann’s Lost in Space and I think it’s a beautiful record with great songwriting. It was the record she did indie after her label dropped her. Metric’s albums, especially their old ones, really affect me. They have great songwriting and I also love their musicianship, production and energy.
Cynthia: For me, Ani Difranco Dilate is definitely one right off the bat for me. Also, as I was developing as a musician U2’s The Joshua Tree was very important for me regarding lyrics and stories and the whole fantasy and idea of having a band of people who are so connected. I think those kind of things just hit you in a certain way and I have also been a huge fan of the Edge’s guitar playing, particularly on that album. My third would be It’s a Wonderful Life by Sparklehorse because it made a big impression on me as a producer.
Well ladies, I think that’s a wrap! Is there anything else that you’d like to cover before we part ways?
AnnMarie: No, I think you pretty much got it! Thanks so much for this opportunity; we really appreciate it.
Cynthia: Also, thanks for being so thoughtful with your questions too. It’s obvious that you’re a true music lover; your knowledge is just lovely.
Well, I guess it’s a good thing that I don’t blush or I definitely would be right now. You two are awesome, thank you so much.
Connect with Saucy Monky at the links below:
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