Novelty Island and Credits To Perform Pet Sounds Live In Liverpool, For Brian Wilson’s 84th Birthday

Two of Liverpool’s most exciting musical projects are collaborating for a live performance of the Beach Boys’ legendary Pet Sounds for Brian Wilson’s 84th birthday at The Tung Auditorium.

The surreal, lo-fi pop group Novelty Island have received extensive BBC6 Music coverage as well as playing at Glastonbury. Meanwhile Credits have supported Shack on tour with their alt-country songwriting and glorious harmonies.

This June, the projects will come together, fusing musical and artistic talents for an immersive performance of Pet Sounds on its 60th Anniversary year as well as more Beach Boys classics.

We caught up with Thomas McConnell (Novelty Island) and Matthew Phillips (Credits) ahead of the show.

Tell us about your music career. Where did your journey start? 

Thomas: As a kid, I did guitar lessons and taught myself piano. I didn’t like jazz but was shown all the mad chords which was very handy for when I started writing songs. I also had a little digital multitrack recorder so I’d record unwieldy improvisations just overdubbing myself. Now I’m a full blown island.

Matthew: The earliest threads of this band (Credits) materialised while some of us were in high school together yonks ago – name, lineup and hairstyle changes over time have gradually led to something that just makes sense to all of us. I think we all had a fairly typical start – between the music teachers we had growing up, and the great musicians that we’ve since met and worked with along the way – it certainly does take a village.

How has the city of Liverpool influenced your path as a musician?

Matthew: How hasn’t it, haha! I think there’s a legitimacy given to the craft here that doesn’t exist in the same way elsewhere, at the same time making music-making accessible to anyone.

Thomas: There’s also a band called The Beatles who are really really really good.

We know that you’re working towards a live performance of ‘Pet Sounds’ celebrating what would have been Brian Wilson’s 84th Birthday. Tell us more about how this came about?

Matthew: Pet Sounds’ 60th anniversary is a milestone that’s been on my radar for years, and I knew I wanted to celebrate it somehow. After meeting Tom and learning how deeply he understands this music the next steps were obvious.

Thomas: I think of the Beach Boys as my second favourite band and I’d always imagined putting a show of their songs together. I met Credits a while back who are very very good with their harmonies. Turns out they’d also wanted to do a Beach Boys show so here we are.

What can you tell us about your upcoming performance at The Tung Auditorium?

Thomas: We’re performing Pet Sounds in full and more. Full harmonies. Full arrangements. Brass, car horns, pets.

Matthew: There might also be some special guests!

And tell us what it’s been like working together…

Thomas: They’re (Credits) great singers, songwriters and musicians. Dissecting all of Pet Sounds isn’t a simple task and it’s been great to figure it out with them.

Matthew: Tom (Novelty Island) is a spectacular musician with an ear for detail. Between us we’ve been figuring out the vocal arrangements, and I can’t imagine how we would have done it without him.

The Beatles and The Beach Boys are clearly a huge influence on your work. Who else influences and/or inspires you? 

Thomas: Many of the classic 60s-90s artists that I’d imagine a million other musicians would also say. Of newer stuff I think Geese, Chappell Roan and CMAT are all great.

Matthew: Outside of The Beach Boys – anything and everything gets played in the van and we’re all happy; Talk Talk, Adrianne Lenker, MF Doom, Feist, Andy Shauf. Rachael Jean Harris’ new album is very very good.

What is your favourite Beach Boys song and will you be playing it on the day?

Jay: Don’t Worry Baby
Matt: Here Today
Tom: Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)
Liam: I Just Wasn’t Made For These Times.

We’re playing all of ’em!

Thomas: Don’t Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder). Hearing that for the first time when I was 14 was one of my biggest musical moments. It still stops me in my tracks every time I hear it and we certainly are playing it.

Anything else you want to tell us? 

Both: See you on June 20th at the Tung!

Novelty Island & Credits ‘Pet Sounds’
20 June
The Tung Auditorium
Tickets