Monkey Swallows the Universe
| Monkey Swallows the Universe | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Sheffield, England |
| Genres | Indie folk |
| Years active | 2004–2008 |
| Labels | Thee Sheffield Phonographic Corporation, Loose Records |
| Associated acts | Nat Johnson and the Figureheads |
| Website | Official website |
| Past members | Nat Johnson Kevin Gori Catherine Tully Andy George Rob Dean |
Monkey Swallows the Universe (MSTU) were an acoustic/indie band from Sheffield, England. Their sound has been described as "folk tinged" and "twee" though not "pansy" or "saccharine" MSTU were active from 2004 to 2008. They took their name from an episode of the Japanese TV series Monkey.
Nat Johnson and Kevin Gori established MSTU in 2003 after meeting at the University of Sheffield. In the band's first incarnation they both sang and played acoustic guitars, with Gori adding extra touches with instruments such as the recorder and glockenspiel. The band later expanded to include Catherine Tully on violin, Andy George on cello and Rob Dean on drums. Johnson became the main singer and songwriter. In February 2006, the band released its first album, The Bright Carvings, on the small independent record label Thee Sheffield Phonographic Corporation. The band had been featured a number of times in Sandman magazine.
On 11 April 2006 the band appeared on Gideon Coe's BBC 6 Music morning radio show, and played two songs live in session. In May 2006, the band supported Richard Hawley on three dates of his UK tour. Later that year, the band supported The Long Blondes on five dates of their UK tour. In July 2006 MSTU released "Science" (b/w Happiness & Florence) as a CD single, and on 7" vinyl (b/w Happiness) also on Thee SPC.
The band signed to Loose Records to release a second album, The Casket Letters, in August 2007. The band also released a single from the album, Little Polveir, a song named after a racehorse which was an unlikely winner of the British Grand National. The band performed further live radio sessions, including an appearance on Radio 4's Loose Ends. The band appeared at several festivals in the UK, including Latitude, Green Man, Truck, Secret Garden Party and End of the Road. A download only single, Bloodline, was released in September 2007, backed with a cover of Jonathan Richman's Ice Cream Man. The band performed these songs live on Marc Riley's 6 Music show.
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