Introducing…. Monkey Intrusion
Hailing from Italy, Monkey Intrusion are a band built on friendship, passion, and a shared hunger for sonic discovery. Blending the emotional pull of prog rock with flashes of grunge, metal, and punk, their sound is as unpredictable as it is heartfelt. With a lineup that’s evolved over the years — and the recent addition of vocalist Sara Cova bringing a new dynamic to the mix — the group continues to refine and reinvent what Monkey Intrusion means. We caught up with them to talk about their beginnings, creative chemistry, and what lies ahead.
Click Roll Boom: Tell me about how you got started
Monkey Intrusion: Marco Plesnicar (bass) and I are old school mates and our love for music began as we were teenagers. In 2013 we were looking for a new lead singer and we met Enrico Goti (lead voice and guitar) — we were amazed by his voice. In 2023 Marco Bertoli (drums) joined and we were finally ready to go in the recording studio, and more recently with Sara Cova (voice) we have a female voice in our group and a wonderful person indeed.
CRB: How would you describe your sound, and how has it evolved since you first started?
MI: I think our music is intense, emotional and unpredictable. We are continuously working on our sound because we are never satisfied with it. We have a quite precise idea of what the harmonic, melodic and rhythmical arrangements should sound like, but the sound itself is constantly changing. I hope one day we will find it.
CRB: Who or what have been some of your biggest influences, musically and beyond?
MI: Very diverse, from prog rock and hard rock of the 70s to grunge and prog metal, with a pinch of Latin and punk. Amazing musical inspiration is hidden in so many genres.
CRB: What does your songwriting process typically look like – is it a more individual or collaborative effort?
MI: Both of these. Enrico, Marco Bertoli and I are all composers. Normally we bring an idea of at least verse, chorus and bridge (we like it a lot) and then we work all together on the arrangements. The process is long because we are very demanding in what we want: exclude repetitions, avoid the banal, always surprise.
CRB: How do you approach experimenting with new sounds or ideas when creating music?
MI: We are always open to new ideas, even if they seem to disrupt the former path of the song. If they bring an original sparkle which elevates the song, they are very welcome.
CRB: What’s been one of the most memorable moments in your journey so far?
MI: When we finished our first album it was a great moment. Having in our hands the result of so many hours of compositions, rehearsals and gigs condensed in one album — it was overwhelming.
CRB: How do you prepare for live shows, and what do you aim to bring to your performances?
MI: We are as disciplined as possible in the technical preparation because we want to be free to express and unleash ourselves on stage. We want to convey the beauty of our songs by being authentic and having fun — among us and with the audience.
CRB: How do you balance creative expression with staying connected to your audience?
MI: That’s a very good point and one of the most difficult things. Keep eyes open, sing for every single person and not only for yourself, and never just show off.
CRB: What do you hope listeners take away from your work?
MI: First of all, it would be great if they would listen to the whole album! But the most important thing is to raise an emotion. That would be enough.
CRB: What does the future hold for you – any plans or goals you’re excited about?
MI: We are working on different new tracks, we are planning soon an EP and next year our next album.
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