MonkeyTrial

UK based MonkeyTrial create music best described as "Soundscapes for imaginary places" a melding of improvised electronica, ambient and psybient live music.

A duo comprising Clive Mollart on synths and theremin - and Shaun Bailey on guitars. MonkeyTrial actually formed sometime in the late 1990s. Their debut album being released in 1998. However, it wasn’t until early 2010 that a fresh incentive inspired a reboot and a new, more focused album was released. Titled ‘un’ it represented a fresh start. The album’s title was chosen as much for its shape as anything else.

2010 saw MonkeyTrial developing music more for live audiences, with a set of what were essentially improvised pieces which could change within the context and to suit the venue. With the release of the album Comma5 in 2016, MonkeyTrial were nominated in Germany for the Schallwelle award for electronic music, in the categories of Best International Artist and Best International Album. It was with this impetus that Monkeytrial stepped up their gigging work.

By 2018 they’d now found themselves being invited to join the bills of many festivals and events more regularly, the duo had clearly gained a reputation for creating cinematic ambient electronica music with infectious grooves. People clearly liked the combination of styles and instrumentation.

After a live album was released for download, it was becoming clear to them that a proper album was an inevitable next step. 2020 saw the release of the latest album ‘Viking’.

2023 sees the writing and recording of a new album, which, with the help of audiences will develop during live performances and hopefully be released in 2024. "If you’re a lover of any era of Tangerine Dream, or even the more electronic space-rock excursions of Hawkwind or Gong, and if you can appreciate the polarising work Steve Hillage has done with the oft-dismissed but excellent System 7, then there will be a lot for you to enjoy here". Steve Pilkington, Velvet Thunder.