UK jazz has arguably never been so burgeoning as it is in the current modern musical landscape. There are scores of highly talented singers, instrumentalists and producers pushing the sound to a global scale. Amongst the highest echelon of talent lies street soul trailblazers Secret Night Gang. Fronted by Manchester-natives Kemani Anderson and Callum Connell, SNG are broadening the scope of the genre, delivering triumphant for the new age of UK jazz.
Secret Night Gang released their latest single, “Out of My Head” last month. The effervescent timbre of the track has come just in time for summer, with the gorgeously intricate instrumentation – clever vocal work, enticing horns and head-bopping grooves, a sign of the flowing creativity and superb craft that Secret Night Gang uphold.
The new single is plucked from the collective’s forthcoming sophomore album, Belongs on a Place Called Earth. The album is set to be released via Brownswood Recordings, the leading label from legendary broadcaster, DJ and producer Gilles Peterson. We spoke to Gilles about Anderson and Connell, who he handpicked. He commented, “SNG caught my attention when they released a song called “Sun”. Going on to meet them and see how young they were and how ahead of the curve they were as musicians – I couldn’t quite believe it. It’s an absolute joy to watch them begin their journey, both Kemani and Callum are a force!
We had the pleasure of catching up with the guys ahead of their sophomore album and a busy summer ahead, talking festivals, the creation of the new LP, and the flourishing UK jazz scene.
Listen to “Out of My Head”…
Read the exclusive intervview
What inspires you to create?
Kemani & Callum: There are many inspirations behind why we create what we create and the beauty of creating is that it could come from anywhere or anything. The inspiration could be based on a life experience that we have been through, parts of environment or some as little as a word or phrase to get the ball rolling. Inspiration comes in manner forms but it’s so unpredictable as to what it would be for each tune as on is different from the other.
How did you guys first form as a collective?
Kemani & Callum:
So me and Callum knew each other from a really young age, we started played music together in our teens and finally in 2018, we decided that we wanted to write original music after being inspired by Love Supreme festival. Which we’re also playing at the end of this month. Anyway, the band became bigger gradually in terms of numbers and now line up goes as follows:
Myke Wilson
, Jack Duckham,
Aaron Wood.
Elias Jordan- Atkinson,
Nicola Guida
, Immanuel Simelane.
Not forgetting our manager/engineer Yvonne Ellis. It is a blessing working with them all.
What is the ethos of the group?
Kemani & Callum:
Well, our ethos of our group is to enjoy each time you get on the stage regardless of any situation and keep the spirit of the music strong.
How did you first become involved with Brownswood Recordings and Gilles?
Kemani & Callum:
Well we released our second single independently in 2020 “The Sun” and we sent it to Gilles on the off chance whilst he was on holiday and he really enjoyed the track. We had meetings back and forth until the time came where we would eventually get signed in December 2020, which we are eternally grateful for.
UK jazz is really flourishing right now, why do you think new listeners are resonating with it?
Kemani & Callum:
In my opinion, I feel that people are resonating with it so much because it has a sense of rawness, unpredictability and most importantly, it’s the fact that questions are being asked and we’re breaking barriers.
What can we expect from your upcoming album, Belongs on a Place Called Earth?
Kemani & Callum:
I strongly believe that what you can expect from our upcoming album Belongs on a Place Called Earth will be a strong message to our audience. It will If you listen to album from start to finish, it will be like a musical story journey of life
What was the creative process of the album?
Kemani & Callum:
So we (myself and Callum) will either have individual pieces that we bring to the table or we start a track together from scratch then we get our band members to play on the songs interpretating the song how they hear it.
What do you hope listeners take away from it?
Kemani & Callum:
Well what we hope the listeners will take away from our album is a life lesson but also, a sense of enjoyment and a time to reflect. Our album is there for people to dance to but also there for people to reflect upon.
You’ve got a busy summer of festivals ahead, how are you feeling about said prospect?
Kemani & Callum:
Really excited, it’ll be great to get back out
again gigging our new stuff and sharing our musical message with the same and new people. It’s a really cool prospect
.
Any festivals you’re particularly excited to play?
Kemani:
Extremely excited to be doing Love Supreme this year! It’s full circle in a way because its the very same festival that inspired me to start writing music in the first place and now 5 years later, we’re actually playing the festival, absolutely thrilled and full of joy to be playing. In reality getting to do any festival or gig we have this summer will be a blessing because we’re sharing our music and we love what we do.
What are your goals and ambitions as a collective?
Kemani & Callum:
To keep growing from strength to strength by asking more questions of our music when performing live whilst maintaining the spirit of the music knowing that it still have the ability to connect with people’s emotiond and feelings . But most importantly, just to enjoy ourselves.
What else is to come this year?
Kemani:
There is a lot more in store for us, can’t reveal all just yet but I can say is keep your eyes peeled and enjoy the journey!
Book tickets to Secret Night Gang at The Lower Third, London here!