Monkey See Monkey Do met in Southampton’s bustling folk scene (Aaron and Sam grew up there, although Helen and Matt didn’t).
The band came together in the summer of 2015. Combining vocals with fiddle, guitar, bodhran, clarinet and the occasional squeeze of melodeon, Monkey See Monkey Do take traditional and modern material and make it their own.
They specialise in upbeat folk tunes and songs with a modern edge. Combining vocals with fiddle, guitar, bodhràn, clarinet and the occasional squeeze of melodeon, they create contemporary arrangements firmly rooted in English and Irish traditions.
Monkey See Monkey Do is a departure from previous projects, featuring both original and traditional repertoire, anchored in the folk dance and song traditions of today.
In the summer of 2020, they released their debut album The Night Out, to critical acclaim. Described as “thoroughly enjoyable” (Songlines) and “a genuine delight” (FATEA), they’ve also enjoyed radio play alongside some of the most prestigious names on the folk scene, including appearances on Mike Harding’s Folk Show and the Podwireless podcast run by former Froots editor, Ian Anderson.