Sweet Echo - ProfilesArchive

About Me

Myspace Contact TablesSweet Echo is a 5 piece covers and original "polyfunk" band based in sunny Tokoroa, in the North Island of NZ. 4 of the 5 members are siblings, and are of Cook Islands ancestry, hence the "poly" in "polyfunk". All of them sing lead and back up vocals, while guitarist Craig skives off and plays guitar.
Drummer Sweet Echo "Echo" Monga does most of the lead vocals, luckily for him he is possessed of a smooth and rich voice, which records extremely well. The rest of the band (except Craig of course), take turns to sing lead to give poor old Echo's voice a break.
Sweet Echo's original music is usually mapped out on acoustic guitar initially without trying for any particular genre, preferring just to write and record whatever sounds good to them. The songs are normally characterised by distinct vocal and guitar melodies. There is an emphasis on vocal harmonies also, something for which the band are well known.
The band started in June 2006, and not long after started writing songs, starting work on their album "Golden Days" soon after.The album's completion has been much awaited, mainly by the band themselves, who have wanted it finished so they can hurry up and become internationally known rock stars. Once this happens they plan on becoming immensely stuck up. Now that the album is out e-mail craig at [email protected] for a copy all of your own before he's too famous to want to speak with anyone except other conceited rock stars!!!
Sweet Echo's music is what happens when you form a band using four Polynesian musicians who were brought up listening to and performing Reggae, Soul, Motown, Funk, Disco and traditional Polynesian music from the Cook Islands, and throw in a white shaven headed lead guitarist who listens to Jimi Hendrix and Iron Maiden.
Sweet Echo regularly play at Cornerstone Bar and the Coloseum in Tauranga, Diggers, Access Bar and Sky City Casino in Hamilton, Sand Bar at the Mount, and the good old Trees Tavern and Cossy Club in Tokoroa. In late May 2007 they played at Sky Casino Auckland for NZ Music Month, and in November 2007 and February 2008 opened for Katchafire at the Bahama Hut in Hamilton. In December 2007 they also played a gig at the Wainui Surf Club in Raglan and managed to drag Leon from Katchafire up for a jam...
They are: Echo (drums/vocals), Reeler (Bass, vocals), Petra (vocals, percussion), Susie (Vocals, percussion), and Craig (Rhythm and lead guitar).

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 5/28/2007
Band Website: sweetecho.co.nz
Band Members: Sweet Echo "Echo" Monga.

Echo was named after his fathers band of the same name, hence the current incarnation of "Sweet Echo". Echo's voice might best be described as reminiscent of an unholy genetic mutation between Marvin Gaye and Lenny Kravitz. If Marvin Gaye and Lenny Kravitz ever have a love child (it could happen!), it will most probably look and sound like Echo.

Echo is secretly in love with: Marmite and banana sandwiches

He sometimes: Wears womens underwear.

Reelerman "Reeler" Monga

Like the rest of his family Reeler can play a number of instruments, however in Sweet Echo he usually confines himself to singing lead and back up, and to playing bass. He spends most of his time on stage trying to hear himself above Echo's crazy drumming and Craig's stupidly loud guitar amp. When not on stage he wears a pair of tiny blue boxers which the rest of the band have put a hit out on. Consequently Reeler never takes them off. Ever.

Reeler is secretly in love with: WW2 German Army Helmets,

He sometimes: Watches TV naked.

Ngarangi "Susie" Monga

Susie sings lead and back up, and spends much of her time on stage covering for Echo when he gets tired or forgets the words. The rest of the time she spends laughing at Craig's uncool dance moves. Susie wears Converse Chuck Taylor's which she fell in love with after seeing how choice Craig looked in a pair of them. When Susie is angry we are all scared of her.

Susie is secretly in love with: Jason Gunn.

She sometimes: Sleeps with her eyes open.

Petra "Mook's" Monga

Petra sings lead on most of the rock songs, and back up the rest of the time. Despite bearing only a passing resemblance to Bon Scott, and despite a strict Cook Islands Christian Church upbringing, she still manages to belt out an awe inspiring cover of "Highway to Hell". She is better at vomiting than Bon Scott.

Petra is secretly in love with: Leotards and leg warmers.

She sometimes: Surfs the internet trying to buy a monkey.

Craig "Horse" Cartwright

Craig is the nerd of the group. He can text using two phones at once, and often sleeps with his guitar. He once got into a fight with Carlos Santana over an whether or not the lead singer from Matchbox 20 takes himself too seriously. Carlos went on to pay half of Craig's hospital bill. (Who knew Carlos Santana keeps a .38 special in his sock?) Craig plays lead and rhythm, and wishes he had thought it through a little better when he burned his favourite guitar at the Taumarunui RSA halfway through a gig. He often does lame karate moves on stage ala Elvis Presley while wearing a full karate suit.

Craig is secretly in love with: Brown leather cowboy boots.

He sometimes: Roundhouse kicks himself in the face to honour the mighty Chuck Norris and to remind himself that he cannot ever die.
Record Label: Independent
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

Lyrics: "Golden Days" - Sweet Echo

Golden days C.Cartwright, E.Monga I think of when I was with you, You loved me so and I loved you too, I thought those days could never end, You were my world, my only friend, Choru...
Posted by Sweet Echo on Tue, 29 May 2007 10:46:00 PST