Not Today: Today’s Up and Coming Band

SHS senior Darcy Milligan is the newest addition to the local band Not Today. Milligan, who plays the bass guitar, replaced the group’s previous bass musician, who left for college.

Not Today consists of six teens: Olivia Monarch (vocalist), Cameron Igo (drums), Larkin Tanner (guitar), Kristen McCarthy (keys and background vocals), Tasman Claridge (guitar), and Milligan (bassist). They have been playing for over three years, with other members coming and going.

The actual name Not Today comes from one of Monarch’s shirts, which said the words, ‘Not Today’ on it. She explains that “it was a name that sounded good… it can be interpreted in a lot of ways, and we liked that.”

Not Today has their music on all streaming platforms, such as Spotify and SoundCloud. However, they often play their newest creations at local gigs and fundraisers.

Regularly playing at The C Note, a club in Hull, the band attracts an audience from teens to adults. Milligan said they find inspiration from Radiohead and genres such as funk and blues. Igo and Tanner said their motivation is drawn from the 80s and 90s rock music. Monarch feels inspired by modern rock, such as music from the band Paramore.

Last summer, Not Today had the opportunity to perform at the Levitate Music Festival in Marshfield, and the group is planning to go on a Northeastern tour in November of 2019. Monarch describes the excitement for the upcoming tour, saying, “Heck, yeah! I’m so down to miss school.”

Not Today is also featured on the college radio station 88.9 WERS. On October 4, 2019, they performed at a charitable event at the Hingham Community Center.

According to Monarch, the band has not faced any significant challenges throughout their musical journey, explaining that one of their acquaintances helped them get gigs in the beginning and has followed the band’s success. However, Milligan said it can be difficult to “get out of the music scene you start in.” The band will be playing a lot more out of state, in major hubs such as New York City, hoping to broaden its fan base.

Each member of Not Today has a passion for music, bringing unique qualities to the band. All six musicians cannot wait to embark upon their musical journey together.