The British soul-pop five-piece Mamas Gun has long been an object of Morning Becomes Eclectic obsession. The entrancingly dulcet tones of “This is the Day,” off of the group’s 2018 album Golden Days, were played during the very first episode of MBE hosted by Novena and Anthony in February 2021, and brought forth an immediate flood of emails and tweets clamoring for more info on the group. There might have even been a voicemail or two…
Ever since, “This is the Day” has been a staple of KCRW programming along with the entirety of Mamas Gun’s 2022 LP, Cure The Jones. The new album finds them sounding sultrier and smoother than ever, as if each track has been hand-dipped in the aural equivalent of a farm-to-table jar of honey. Ahead of a nearly sold-out show at the Moroccan Lounge, all five (!) members of the band — Andy Platts (lead singer, composer, producer), Dave Oliver (keys), Chris Boot (percussion), Terry Lewis (guitar), and Cam Dawson (bass) — are cramming into the booth at KCRW HQ to share some sonic inspiration. Their set includes a funky deep cut from 94 East with an early feature from Prince, some perfect harmonizing along to Earth, Wind & Fire in real time, and pure bliss from left-field R&B dreamers Dina Ögon. The band also recounts the sublime/surreal experience of jamming with Robert Plant live on the BBC to countless listeners, and they take on one of the most important debates of our time: In-N-Out vs. Nando’s?
Keep reading to find out what it is about each of their song selects that keeps ‘em coming back for more.
The following has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Dina Ögon – “Tombola 94”
[We’re] massive fans of a composer called Sven Wunder, and this band Dina Ögon is made up of his guitarist Daniel Ögren and his drummer Christopher Cantillo as well. They’re just a wicked band from Sweden.
94 East – “If You See Me (Feat. Prince)”
This started as a dressing room hang song, and ended up being our walk on for a couple of years. The build up is so strong, every time we hear it we're just ready to go.
And Prince is on this tune! Very early Prince, tons of guitar work and some vocals as well.
Earth, Wind & Fire – “Can’t Hide Love”
What an amazing, classic tune. It was written by a guy called Skip Scarborough who's one of those sneaky songwriters who co-wrote Bill Withers’ “Lovely Day.” He wrote [another Earth, Wind & Fire song] “The World’s a Masquerade” as well. So we love to give a bit of a shout out to him, and this is the jam.
Erykah Badu – “Penitentiary Philosophy”
[The first track of Badu’s 2000 LP Mama’s Gun, from which the band took their name].
From that record, it’s “Penitentiary Philosophy.” It’s nice and heavy.