Chicago’s latest indie duo is bringing a little art and sex to the music scene. The Loneliest Monk is the musical marriage of two artist with two different backgrounds. Front lady and master cellist, Michelle Morales, has performed with Phillip Glass, Kanye West, and even traveled to the 2008 Grammy Awards to play with The Foo Fighters. Miles Benjamin has been saturated in the Chicago scene for over six years and runs Kilo Inc: a creative recording studio, production company, and record label.
Their newest project has quickly captured the hearts and ears of the Chicago area. The Loneliest Monk is a performance, not just a rock show. Elaborate costumes, masks, and stages are supported by an avant-garde sound that combines cellos, pianos, organs, drums, samples, and voices. They bring to the stage a sort of cool, haunting, and sexual air that is a welcoming detraction from the indie trend.
The duo performed their debut show in August of 2008 at the Hideout in Chicago, and since has gone on to play nearly every respectable venue in the city. The two make handmade posters, shirts and trinkets that add to the attraction. The Loneliest Monk has just finished their much anticipated debut LP; A vinyl/CD release coming out this Fall on Kilo Records.
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The Metromix/Red Eye says:
“A cello and a drumset usually isn’t enough for a band to get started. But singer/cellist/keyboardist Michelle Morales and drummer/vocalist Miles Benjamin create plenty of artful drama out of their unusual composition, adding extra theatrical layers with onstage costumes that Morales calls 'Victorian meets Goth meets vintage.' 'Since people are paying money,' she says, 'We may as well give ‘em something to look at that’s interesting.' Good policy." [ full post ]The Chicago Tribune says:
“The Loneliest Monk: Despite its name, this is actually a two-person venture. Michelle Morales (cello/vocals) and Miles Benjamin (drums/vocals), who dress for performances as though they’re en route to a masquerade ball, made their debut in August at the Hideout and have since gone on to write an album’s worth of material with an eye on a spring release.Morales, an accomplished cellist, has performed with everyone from Kanye West to Phillip Glass, and the band has a flair for the dramatic. Songs often sound as though they’re cobbled together from old ghosts and memories.†- Andy Downing
Gapersblock.com says:
"An indie-rocker and a master cellist have teamed up into a guy-girl duo that present something a little different than your typical rock show. A little avant-garde, a little classical and a little rock make for a pleasing, ambient and somewhat haunting listening experience... He is a member of local indie rock band All Things Lucid and runs Kilo Records. She is a master cellist who has played with Phillip Glass, Kanye West, and even the Foo Fighters in their 2008 Grammy Awards performance. Together, Miles Benjamin and Michelle Morales form the experimental duo The Loneliest Monk. Their cool, ambient music is a nice departure from the standard 4-piece rock or jazz group. It's little bit rock, a little bit classical, a little jazz infused, and all intriguing." - Michelle Meywes [ full post ]The Empty Bottle says:
"We pay homage to the closest sounding instrument to the human voice as we present a night of cellos. Combining the classical training of master cellist Michelle Morales and local indie poster Miles Benjamin the Chicago duo THE LONELIEST MONK play twinkling pop that creates a “sort of cool, haunting, and sexual air†and their live show is spiced up by the addition of clever costumes and masks. They are currently in cahoots with local imprint Kilo to record their debut full length."In the Blogs:
"...the second band in the lineup, The Loneliest Monk—-whatchout, kids, these guys were great. The girl in the band plays an electric cello with impeccable skill, and it is simply stunning to listen to... They played their first show (!), and they were already very good. Strongly recommend checking them out." - Olivia is Ferosch [ full post ]
"bears" live at the hideout on 8.14.08.
IshootRockstars Showcase: The Loneliest Monk from Kyle LaMere on Vimeo .
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