The Sound of Monday exudes enchantment in whimsical rendition of 'Pure Imagination'

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Olivia Rayner

A decadent chocolate waterfall cascades amidst sweet grass meadows, plumply dotted with gumdrop wildflowers and melt in the mouth mushroom marshmallows, these are the childhood fantasies that dreams are made of, the vivid and lucious visions of our wildest imagination come to life. Sound delicious and familiar?

Queue the unmistakable vibrant green hair and orange skin of some particularly peculiar creatures and there's only one guess who’s world you’ve stumbled into. The whimsical, glorious and utterly sensational realm of Willy Wonka and his miraculous chocolate factory. The well loved and simply enchanting story by Roald Dahl captivated the hearts of all who visited this magical land and following the 1971 release of the first film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, so was a sprite and young 4 ½ yr old Dave Jay aka The Sound of Monday.

Based in NYC, the enigmatic musical force otherwise known as The Sound of Monday, is the musical magician behind numerous indie-pop gems and classic theme song renditions. Adding to his eclectic collection, he now embarks on a beguiling journey into the effervescent universe of Willy Wonka with the release of his latest single and video, a cover of ‘Pure Imagination’. Expertly timed, this delightful interpretation coincides with the highly anticipated new Wonka film featuring Timotée Chalamet and serves as a sneak peek into The Sound of Monday’s forthcoming 10-track album of the same name, set to illuminate audiences in 2024.

“No doubt the flames of my creative inspiration were fanned by that first movie I ever saw in a theater — Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory. Sure, the Oompa Loompas scared the crap out of me, but the whimsy, absurdity, dark humor, melodic tunes, clever dialogue, rich characters and attention grabbing storytelling introduced a World of Pure Imagination I have always been at ease to inhabit.”

Embracing the spirit of Gene Wilder's iconic Willy Wonka, The Sound of Monday’s cover of ‘Pure Imagination’ inspires listeners to explore their own boundless creativity. The track pays homage to Brian Wilson’s legendary ‘Pet Sounds’ infusing the classic Beach Boy-esque power pop and gloriously stacked harmonies with a modern indie-pop twist. This fusion creates a delightful experience, marrying timeless melodies with innovative production, as The Sound of Monday breathes new life into this beloved musical gem.

“All I’ve ever wanted to do since I was a little kid is to create and perform,” shares The Sound of Monday. “I started writing songs and stories as a young boy, and have spent more time than I should probably admit deeply ensconced in my own personal world of imagination ever since.” This cover captures the essence of creative thought and freedom of expression, offering a glimpse into the artist’s colourful filter and unique perspective.

Produced by Charles Newman (Magnetic Fields, The Bones of J.R Jones), the track features a stellar lineup of musicians, including Roger Manning (Jellyfish, Beck), Butch Norton (Lucinda Williams, Eels), Ed Maxwell (Shelby Lynne), Probyn Gregory (Brian Wilson), and Joe DiFiore (Eva and The Vagabonds). The result is a musical masterpiece that effortlessly transports listeners into a world of wonder and joy.

Accompanying the release is a truly captivating animated music video masterfully created by powerhouse Richard Mather (Rick and Morty, Dua Lipa, Sesame). The video is a complete and utter visual feast as Dave Jay travels through his imagination in his flying brainmobile. With attention to detail and a nod to the eccentric & wacky nature of the original movie, the animated video adds an extra layer of bedazzlement to this musical offering.

This charming interpretation follows The Sound of Monday’s recent success with his take on the original Spider-Man theme which has garnered over 11 million streams so far. The Sound of Monday consistently pushes boundaries, captivating audiences with his signature sound. Unafraid to blend the timeless nature of the classics with a new and refreshing understanding, step into a world of ‘Pure Imagination’ with The Sound of Monday. After all…

“… living there you’ll be free if you truly wish to be.”

About

A longtime member of New York City's indie-pop underground, Dave Jay Gerstein (aka Dave Jay), working under the moniker The Sound of Monday, builds a bridge between past and present, pulling from the classic sounds of his heroes — from The Beatles and The Beach Boys to XTC, Elvis Costello and Aimee Mann. The result is an outside-the-box approach to forward-thinking indie pop, with songs that find room for more than just the classic sounds of electric guitars and harmony vocals. Touches of horns, woodwinds, and strings create the chamber pop sounds reminiscent of many of his past and present influences, adding a new dimension to his longtime blend of hooks, humour, and adventurous arrangements.

The Sound of Monday began in the late 1990s in New York City, with music championed by the likes of Danny Weinkauf (They Might Giants), Brandon Wild and Len Monachello (This Way), and Mother West producer Charles Newman (The Magnetic Fields). The artist's releases mark a continuation of a career rooted in the musical ingredients that never grow old: ageless melodies, constant innovation, and an indie sensibility.

Dave Jay began writing songs at the age of 9, aspiring to be the 5th Monkee, eventually creating his own personal musical category, summed up onomatopoetically as J’Blammo Pop! Raised on 20th-century music, from the Great American Songbook to ‘50s, ‘60s,‘70s, and ‘80s Pop, Dave Jay’s appreciation for clever lyrics and smart songs developed early. The Sound of Monday represents the culmination of these influences, featuring unexpected turns lyrically, melodically, and structurally, reminiscent of the artists he grew up listening to.

The Sound of Monday’s debut album, Linguistic Misdemeanor, recorded to analog tape during the late 1990s, marked an introduction to a songwriter whose songs mixed timeless craft with contemporary cool. This release helped launch Dave Jay’s artistic career, leading to accolades, including a win at the New York International Fringe Festival in 2008 for “ohnpaulgeorgeringo,” an entirely improvised one-man show where he seamlessly morphs between all four members of the Beatles.

The artist’s journey continued with numerous releases, with The Sound of Monday’s songs licensed for shows like MTV’s “The Osbournes.” Notably, their cover of the Spiderman Theme has achieved over 11 million streams on Spotify, showcasing the enduring appeal of The Sound of Monday's music.

With new releases scheduled throughout 2024, audiences can look forward to a plethora of fresh content, live shows, and other surprises from The Sound of Monday.

Source Olivia Rayner