The quartet, formerly known as Sit Down, Shut Up, consists of songwriter English (vocals/guitar/saxophone/harmonica), International High School freshman Adam Hodes (guitar/bass/accompanying vocals) and sophomore Adrian Glass-Moore (back-up vocals/keyboard) and University High School sophomore Siavash Almeida (drums).

The group, which will be playing in a benefit concert for Senegal at International High School on Nov. 3, began playing gigs four years ago.

“It all started when the other members of the band were in second grade, but I came in during sixth grade,” said English, who wrote and sang her first song for the quartet, “Big Bad Monster,” a year later.

The quartet sometimes plays at the monthly Band Jam at Club 18 in the Jewish Community Center, an event open to aspiring bands. Lately, however, they have been focusing on finishing their second album.

“We’re debating over a couple (album) titles,” English said. “We’re almost done and hope that it will be released by the holidays.”

Both Glass-Moore and Hodes said that recording at their Oakland studio is going well. “We need to record a couple more songs and get it mastered,” Hodes explained.

English takes her musical roots from the muses of R&B and rock. “I’m very, very, very, inspired by Marvin Gaye and John Lennon,” she said. Hodes cited The Beatles as another influence on the group’s sound, which combines rock, pop and soul.

The quartet’s musical influences are evident in their sound, according to junior Karyn Smoot. “They’re kind of like (singer) Amy Winehouse walking with Ella Fitzgerald on Abbey Road,” she explained, referencing The Beatles’ 11th album.

Songs like “Stan the Man” echo George Harrison’s unique guitar riffs, while “Song In My Head” reflects a mellower side of the band with soft piano complementing English’s ironic lyrics. “I’m sitting here and searchin’/for a song/but nothing; I mean nothing, comes to mind,” she sings.

The quartet adds saxophone and harmonica tracks to some of their songs, like “Faded Ribbons,” a song inspired by trains and dusty railroads.

However, San Francisco inspires other songs, especially “Muni Blues,” a song about transportation frustration. “Meant to catch bus 44/but I hopped on 43,” Hodes sings.

The band often gains fans while playing open café gigs at places like Ti Couz on Valencia Street in the Mission. “Many people hear our music while they’re walking down the street, and they stop and listen to it for awhile, and get into it,” Hodes said.

They never know who to expect at their shows. “The crowd that sees us is always different,” Glass-Moore said. “Sometimes it’s the younger people that like us, but sometimes it’s adults.”

The quartet also plays in contests, including the annual Battle of the Bands, which they won last year. “I was totally surprised and didn’t expect it,” English said. “We were competing against about eight bands.”

Such success results from lots of practice. “We still play in my living room – there are always instruments laying around,” English said.

The band tries to practice at least once a week, which can be a challenge. “School sometimes gets in the way,” Hodes said. “Some schools have holidays on days when others don’t, so it’s hard to schedule practices.”

English makes the band a top priority, refusing to let her workload get in her way. “I think music is what I will be doing as an adult,” she said. “It has to be; I don’t like anything else.”