Santa Semeli and the Monks

Formed in 2013, Santa Semeli and the Monks is a duo who’s music catalogue consists of over 70 songs, covering a vast variety of musical genres.

Semeli Economou was born and raised in Munich in an artistic background.

Her father was renowned Cypriot concert pianist and composer Nicolas Economou.

Haraldur Agustsson is an actor and musician from Iceland.

Semeli and Haraldur first met when Semeli cast Haraldur in her short film ‘The Burning Bush’ (click on title to watch)

Since their formation they’ve performed live in New York, Paris and London.

Semeli’s volcanic stage presence has been compared to the likes of Blondie, Liza Minnelli, Siouxie and the Banshees, Patti Smith, Rita Haywarth and Marlene Dietrich.

In June 2014 SSATM independently released the dance single ‘Arrivederci Bob’ through their label Cosima Music, which Paul Sexton from the Sunday times described as “A lot of fun!” comparing it to the coolness of new wave band the Waitresses. Icelandic national paper Morgunbladid called it an “Upbeat dance tune with witty and cryptic lyrics. A poetic explosion!” The song reached #3 in the Cyprus i-Tunes charts.

Other musicians include Gaspar Hunt on piano, Andrea Turco on drums, Conor Coterrill on bass, Gudny Jonasdottir on cello and Hringur Gretarsson on trumpet.