THEY WOULDN’T give me the run down on what the rest of the year holds for them, preferring to keep their cards close to their chest, but there is no doubt about one thing, Secret Night Gang have had an active first half of 2023.

I spoke to the British jazz, funk and street soul masters recently, about some of the influences which have helped to shape their highly anticipated second Secret Night Gang studio album, ‘Belongs On A Place Called Earth’.

JC: You guys have said the new album is inspired by the relatable, hard-hitting realities of life in 2023 – Can you elaborate on that for me?
SNG: Well, we basically mean that everyone goes through trials and tribulations throughout their lives, but we try be real about the realities of life, yet have this sense of optimism when songwriting. We’re able to flip negative experiences into a positive message. We’ve both experienced a lot over the past couple of years and we’ve tried to bring that to our music

JC: What has changed with this new album compared to your 2021 self-titled debut?
SNG: As I’ve mentioned in the previous, question, I think that we experienced way more in our lives to talk about, which I think also links into maturity. Our musical perspective has changed as our ears have open to different styles of music over the past couple of years

JC: I understand that you are ‘drawing from influences such as Terrace Martin and Bilal’ on this latest album, speak on how those artists have influenced you?
SNG: Well, we’ve been a massive admirer of their music for a number of years now but we take influences from many artists but we do our best to make it as original to us as we possibly can. I think it’s important to keep inspired by different artists but it’s just as important to have a sense of individuality in your work as well. You’ve got to find a balance with it all.

JC: You dropped ‘Don’t Know What Tomorrow Brings’ earlier this year, how was that received and why did you opt for ‘When Will The Sun Rise Again’ next?
SNG: For me I feel like don’t know what tomorrow brings and When will the sun rise again align with each other because it summarises up to me that better days are ahead if you’re going through weird times and more than that, we are to love and try to be kind to one another in uncertain times we face in our lives

JC: What is your favourite single from the album? And why?
SNG: I can’t really answer that to be honest with you as I love them all different reasons. Although they’re edging on similar vibes, they all have little elements that our unique to one another, but more importantly, each tune has its own message which is why can’t really pick one over the other.

JC Live wise you have a full band set up and some of the best young jazz musicians on the circuit performing with you on stage. How did you get the band together and choose the musicians who go out on tour with you?
SNG: Well the band has changed over time but we’re in a good place right now. So we came to meet Yvonne Ellis (sound engineer) and Myke Wilson (drummer) in 2018 at a jam night in Chorlton and we instantly vibes with one another. Then as for our guitarist (Jack Duckham) he has been a good friend of ours for number of years now so when we were in the midst of assembling our band, there was no doubt of who we wanted in our band. Then, Callum was really keen on assembling a horn section and was really adamant that Aaron Wood and Elias Jordan- Atkinson were the guys for job, and right he certainly was. Through going to jams in London and vibing, the arrival of of keys player (Nicola Guida) and our bassist (Immanuel Simelane) we would finally be able to assemble , Secret night gang.

JC: For those who don’t know, speak on the significance and what it means to have connected with broadcaster, DJ, producer and label head, Gilles Peterson?
SNG: Well to be associated with a DJ and broadcaster like Gilles is truly an honour and privilege, he’s such an innovative mind and the fact that we get to be apart of his label makes it all the more special for us. Without the label, our music wouldn’t get the same recognition so the fact that we handpicked by Gilles, just leaves us truly humbled

JC: Now the album is out, what else can people lookout for from you guys this year?
SNG: Well we’ve got quite a few things lined up but then that would be telling so I can say is keep your eyes peeled.