See Monkey Do Monkey is an independent record label based in Cardiff. It started out life as a promotions company in Ireland before setting up residence in the Welsh Capital. The first official release came in 2008 with The Method’s LP ‘The Front’. From these humble origins the label is now home to collection of rising stars and established acts that includes Houdini Dax, The Keys, The Moles and Colorama.
‘In 1959 Berry Gordy ploughed an $800 loan from his family into setting up his own record label. His label Motown quickly became known as The Hit Factory as it rewrote musical history with a production line of legendary proportions. Fifty years later and a little closer to home, that same spirit of musical entrepreneurship, prolific output and sense of community is ably represented at See Monkey Do Monkey.’
David Owens, South Wales Echo
‘Home to a flock of creative types. The acts all share a mutual Sixties sensibility...’
Mercury Music
‘My favourite label!’
Popjunkie
A ROUND UP OF 2010….
It’s been a hell of a year in the strange, musical world of See Monkey Do Monkey Recordings. Major airplay, television appearances, memorable gigs and several exciting new albums bubbling away in the studio has created a genuine buzz around our leafy headquarters.
Check out some of the kind words that came our way, starting with some much deserved praise for
COLORAMA..
“Hitting the ground running after a Christmas Number One with Cerdyn Dolig in the Welsh language charts, Colorama enter 2011 with a new UK tour and a 6music session for Marc Riley's radio show. Head to See Monkey www.seemonkeydomonkey.com/shop or the band's website to get yourselves a copy of the November album release, Box.”
Bethan Elfyn, BBC Radio 1 tips for 2011
Colorama also made The Western Mail’s Top 10 Welsh Sounds of 2010, were voted No. 4 in Pop Junkie’s Top 30 albums of 2010 and their track ‘Candy Street’ was declared Top Track of 2010 on US Radio Base Camp.
“Welsh psychedelic pop music will still be going strong next year thanks to Colorama whose scratchy '60s pop sounds distinctly vinyl-esque, mixing up Gorkys-style Canterbury folk with slacker breakbeats, autumnal pianos and excellent compositions.”
Best Band Tips of 2011, Artrocker
THE METHOD..
‘A fiercesome live band whose musical DNA can be traced through a heritage of punk, soul, ska, R’n’B and reggae, this thrill-seeking outfit proved they were no retro throwbacks with a veritable rip-snorter of a debut single. Whip Around pulsated with youthful urgency’
-Dave Owens, The Western Mail
THE KEYS..
..released a retro flavoured, mojo hurricane of an album, Fire Inside, and set about touring the U.K. Their appearance at Cardiff’s SWN Festival earned them many plaudits…
‘See Monkey Do Monkey Recordings’ finest blew us all away with their freewheelin’ freakbeat grooves, while we hitched a lift on their kaleidoscopic psych-rock magic carpet ride. So hot in the venue I thought I was melting.’
-David Owens, South Wales Echo
Fire Inside was voted No. 12 in Pop Junkie’s Top 30 albums and No. 19 in New Sound Wales’ Top 50 releases of 2010.
HOUDINI DAX..
..are straining on the leash with all the energy, reserve and patience you’d expect from a trio of 19 year olds. Until they inherit the earth and everything in it, the boys are hard at work on their debut album, ‘You Belong to Dax, Darling’.
A version of one of the songs due for inclusion on the album, Robin You Lie, was nominated by BBC Radio 1’s Bethan Elfyn as one of her tracks of the year. One of her colleagues added…
‘Like filling your ears full of exploding jelly beans – or something like that! Ace!’
- Adam Walton, BBC Radio Wales
THE MOLES..
..released The Future Sounds of Ashton to high praise including this glowing report from Bristol’s leading music magazine…
‘A Bristol combo surely designed to send Julian Cope raving mad with excitement. Set the controls for the UFO club circa 1967 and a groovy psychedelic experience lovingly crafted with Vox amps, reverse voices, strong tea and blissful pop hooks. Quite brilliant.’
- Kid Pensioner – VENUE – 5 Stars
One of the tracks ‘It’s Snowing Again’ was voted Top Track of 2010 on US Radio Base Camp. Since the album launch The Moles have been proving that they’re more than capable of reproducing the LP’s rich production values live.
