harp and a monkey

Harp and a Monkey

Harp and a Monkey are an English trio formed in late 2008. The group consists of Martin Purdy, Andy Smith and Simon Jones.

Style and themes

Their music combines harp and banjo with electronic elements, and is described through folk, indie folk and psychedelic folk influences. Their work draws on a strong Lancashire and northern English sense of place, with songs and vignettes concerned with life, love and remembrance. They are also associated with hauntological folk-electronica and retain a focus on traditional songcraft.

Influences

The trio cites a wide range of influences and reference points, including Ordnance Survey maps, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Delia Derbyshire, bee keepers, Ralph Vaughan Williams, the M62 motorway, Oliver Postgate, the BBC, the night bus home, Alan Turing, the Pennines, Elizabeth Gaskell, freshly brewed tea, Hylda Baker and A. A. Milne. They also name Beethoven, Bert Jansch and Boards of Canada among their musical interests.

Activity

Harp and a Monkey build a following in the north of England through frequent live performance.