Photo Credit: Benji Reid
It’s easier said than done to remain friends with people from your childhood via social media, but that’s not even close to remaining friends with them in real life. Seeing them daily and actually knowing the ins and outs of their lives in present time. Not everyone is like Kemani Anderson and Callum Connell. Friends since their days on the playground, these two have an immeasurable bond that’s taken them from kicking around the football to creating magnificent music together as Secret Night Gang. We talked about those early bonds, all things jazz, and more like their new album, ‘Belongs on a Place Called Earth,’ which is out on all major music and streaming platforms now.
Kendra: When we’re little, we make many friends, but not all of them are with us for life. Thinking back, what do you think is the glue that helped connect you two for life? Was it music that bonded you two?
Secret Night Gang: Well, as a matter of fact, it was actually football that bonded us two but then stopped going for a period of time and then regained contact again, but this time it was actually steel pans that bonded us.
Kendra: More importantly, was it jazz music because that’s one of those styles that is heavily respected but rarely executed by newer artists on the same level as Secret Night Gang. Some may use it here and there, but you have managed to make it a glorious foundation for what you’re all about. What initially drew you to jazz?
Secret Night Gang: I think with jazz music, you’re able to truly express yourself musically and emotionally like no other genre. Of course, you can express yourself in any genre of music, but jazz is just a different language altogether, in my opinion. The unpredictability and possibility of not knowing where the improvisation of the music will take you is such an exciting element as well!
Kendra: Now ‘Belongs on a Place Called Earth’ dropped on June 23rd and comes a couple of years after your 2021 self-titled debut. What artist growth have you noticed in one another when comparing your 2021 release with your latest?
Secret Night Gang: We have experienced more in our lives to interpret on this second album in comparison to the first album and in a lot more detail. Musically, I believe we’re inspired by different genres of music each day, and there’s a more definitive sound and direction as to what we wanted sonically as well.
Kendra: The new record may belong on Earth, but where specifically on this planet did you envision when writing and recording?
Secret Night Gang: A mixture of our home setup, a few studios, and our band member’s home set up also! The writing came in the spare moments in different locations, and some you come out of nowhere!
Kendra: Let’s talk more about what people will hear on the new album, like “Out of My Head.” Which is not a bad thing when you catch those feels and are left thinking about someone nonstop. With that, who was the last sort of celebrity crush you could not get out of your head?
Secret Night Gang: Well, that would be telling; that’s all part of the secret.
Kendra: And from “Don’t Know What Tomorrow Brings” to “Do for You,” it’s easy to imagine that Secret Night Gang is something to experience live. Do you have any performers that you looked to when you started getting on stage for inspiration on how to control a live show?
Secret Night Gang: We take inspiration from many bands like Earth, Wind and Fire, Bilal and Terrace Martin, and a whole host of performers, but we like to put our spin on things.
Kendra: Lastly, with ‘Belongs on a Place Called Earth’ out on June 23rd, what else can fans be on the lookout for as we roll into summer?
Secret Night Gang: Well, we are doing Love Supreme very soon and a worldwide festival in France, not to mention doing We Out Here Festival in August. There is definitely more planned, so what I would say is keep your eyes peeled to find out what more lies ahead for Secret Night Gang.
