MONSTR
Although the band's name might suggest a roaring, heavy thunder, Monstr quietly sneaks up on you and immerses you in layers of cascading guitars over haunting vocals. The four-piece indie folk band based in Los Angeles' artistic Silver Lake community has been collecting many fans over the years by exploring different musical styles while still maintaining an ethereal theme - a meditative intensity that has made the band, according to music website LA Underground, "one of the favorites of the Los Angeles underground scene."
Monstr first took shape in 2001 as a solo project for Alexandra Johnstone, a California native who took an interest in every musical instrument she found as a child. Her aptitude for songwriting and enthusiasm for creating unique songs from various instruments, while influenced by such musical pioneers as the Velvet Underground and the Beach Boys, led to the creation of a full band with members that shared her dream: to have a defining sound as a band, while still pushing in different directions artistically.
In order to make that dream reality, the band recorded their first songs at home, burned them to store-bought CDs and sold them at their shows, which generated enough interest to warrant their first North American tour. After two self-released albums and an EP, Los Angeles label The New Black signed Monstr and released their self-titled full length album in 2005.
The album drew comparisons to Devendra Banhart, Mojave 3 and Galaxie 500. Certain songs, such as "We Shot It" - hauntingly calm and composed of no more than a banjo, bass, and Johnstone's striking vocals - seem inspired by American folk music, while others, such as "Alice Dupont" and "Golden Cloaked," are straight rock. The album has since sold out in the U.S.; however, the music eventually found its way to Europe where it caught the attention of French label Le Jardin Colectif. The label re-pressed the album and Monstr toured France in April 2009 to promote the re-release.
Now comes The Hoss, The Candle, the second full-length album of ten more delicate and otherworldly compositions. This album has a darker, more celestial feel; although the Dylan/folk influence is very much at the heart of Monstr's sound, the new album takes off in unexpected directions, such as the track "Old French Clothes," which culminates in a chorus that evokes a classical music take on the German band Can.
The Hoss, The Candle will be produced by Dave Trumfio for release in early 2012.
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