While the indie pop duo Sarko Montaug may be new to the music realm, their name is not. Paying tribute to twin pillars of the 80s NYC art/nightlife scene – DJ Anita Sarko and Doorman Haoui Montaug – the group’s focus is on creativity.

Haoui and Anita were instrumental in providing space for artists like Beastie Boys and Madonna to perform when they were unknown. They had incredible taste and understood the energetic release that can only be experienced in a night club full of the right amount of friends, strangers and icons.

The group currently resides in Chicago, but as constant nomads, could be moving on again by the time you read this. “No matter where we live we’ll always be displaced Philadelphians,”  say the members (married partners Cristian and Jess Mora).  While most connected to new wave and other 80s genres, the group is following their creativity towards whichever musical style calls to it. “We’ll always sound indie, even when we are trying to be pop and we’ll always be trying to modernize the past.”

“Possessive,” their first single, was produced/mixed by Jorge Elbrecht (Japanese Breakfast, Wild Nothing) and addresses the theme of imbalance. Out on 8/13, it aims to be the “dance while setting a reminder to bring up that toxic ex-relationship at your next therapy session” hit of the summer. Musically, the song feels like if Charli XCX was starring in a remake of Desperately Seeking Susan.

Tell us about the genesis of your project. How did you get to where you are now? 

We’re a couple and decided to try creating songs together for fun but then we started to take it more seriously

What does music and being an artist mean to you?  

I used my taste in music and opinions about music as a substitute for a personality for most of my life.  Now that I am creating music I get to express myself rather than hide behind other people’s expression.

What are some sources of inspiration for your lyrics and storytelling? 

Right now it is the nightlife/art scene of NYC in the 80s. Visual artists, performance artists, writers, dancers, drag performers, musicians were all trying to out shock each other and the energy was of having to be there or you missed it.  Possessive is a fictionalized story of a young person on the fringe of that scene, so close to being a fabulous NYC success story, she just has this one problem…this one relationship that is throwing everything else off.  

Who is an artist that you look up to more than others today?  

Kelis, Miley Cyrus (people who are driven by the opportunity to transform)

All time favorite record? 

Mine (Jess) is Regret Over The Wires by Matthew Ryan (tied with about 100 others but you only asked for one). Cristian’s would be Into The Gap by Thompson Twins (with several other Thompson Twins albums competing for the top).

Tell us about your latest release and how it came about.  

Possessive is our first single.  It came from our mutual love of 80s music, sounds and attitude.

You seem to be fusing several musical genres. What inspires your sound?  

80s pop and new wave is our favorite genre, and in this song we also infused some 80s Freestyle Dance elements.  We love a lot of styles and eras though, so we want to stay open to trying a variety of genres and style influences in the future.

What are some things you do to deal with anxiety and creative blocks? 

I know creativity will happen when it is meant to, so I try not to force it.  I get this feeling in my core that let’s me know something is coming but the timeline is not in my control.  Sometimes it takes one day, sometimes weeks. That feeling has never let me down…it always comes through eventually.   Watching documentaries on creative people is always energizing too.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?  

I hope I’ll continue to care less and less about everything.

Your style is very original and elaborate. How do you take care of your aesthetics? 

I’m a bit tacky, Cristian tends to be more polished so we try to meld those two together.  Collaboration goes into every decision, not just the music.

What was the most daunting moment in your career so far? 

Nothing daunting yet, we haven’t even played a live show yet.  That will be daunting I’m sure.  Everything has been so fun so far.

What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten?  

I don’t solicit advice.

Where do you think the next game changer will be in the music industry and entertainment scene? 

More music education and music technology in schools would be revolutionary.  More accessibility, earlier.