Mona (band)

Last updated
MONA
BrownNick.jpg
Nick Brown of MONA
Background information
Origin Dayton, Ohio, (now based in Nashville, Tennessee), United States
Genres Alternative rock, indie rock
Years active2010–present
MembersNick Brown
Website www.monatheband.com

MONA is a project started by Nick Brown. Though there has been a revolving cast of band members, Nick has been the sole driving force behind the band. He began in Dayton, Ohio, though he is now based in Nashville, Tennessee. Brown revealed the band's name refers to his grandmother, Mona Brown. [1]

Contents

The band rose to fame appearing as part of the BBC's Sound of 2011 poll; which was revealed on 5 December 2010. [2] The band was also crowned the Brand New for 2011 title at the MTV Awards. [3] Their debut album was released on May 16, 2011 in the UK through ZionnoiZ Recordings/Island Records [4] and was released on February 28, 2012 in the US through ZionnoiZ Recordings/Mercury Records.

Career

Nick Brown (2009–2010)

In April 2009, Brown was introduced to Saul Galpern, creator of Nude Records by a mutual friend. Soon after their online introduction, Galpern flew to Nashville to meet Nick. Having been very impressed by him, Galpern signed a management contract with the band which led to a record deal with Island Records and Mercury Records in September 2010. [5]

MONA (2010–present)

On November 20, 2010, the band appeared on the BBC's Later... with Jools Holland , in which they performed the songs "Teenager", "Listen to Your Love" and "Lines In the Sand". [6] On December 6, 2010, it was revealed that Mona had been longlisted on the BBC's Sound of 2011 poll, which predicts artists that will become successful in the year ahead. It was also revealed that month the band had made the longlist of MTV Awards' Brand New for 2011. On February 3, 2011, it was announced Mona had won the title. [3]

The band released their debut single "Listen to Your Love" in the United Kingdom on September 13, 2010 through their own independent record label ZionoiZ Recordings. [7] Second single "Trouble On the Way" was then released through ZionnoiZ Recordings/Island Records on December 13, 2010. [8] Mona released their third single "Teenager" on February 7, 2011. [9] Their fourth and final UK single, "Shooting the Moon", was released on July 31, 2011. [10]

In February 2011 MONA announced the release date of their self-titled debut album which was self-produced by Nick in their basement in Nashville and mixed by producer Rich Costey (Foo Fighters, Muse, Arctic Monkeys).

European album release (2011)

The official album artwork was released on March 21, 2011. [11]

Mona was released in the United Kingdom on May 16, 2011. They also released the "Listen to Your Love – EP" the same day. Following the album's release the band embarked on a world-spanning tour which saw them play most of the world's largest and most prestigious festivals; including Glastonbury Festival and Reading and Leeds Festival in the UK, Summer Sonic Festival in Japan and Splendour in the Grass in Australia. As well as touring the festival circuit they supported fellow Nashville band Kings of Leon on selected dates of their summer tour, including shows at Slane Concert near Slane, County Meath, Ireland on May 28, 2011 and Hyde Park, London on June 22, 2011.

They also headlined their own tour of the United Kingdom and Europe in the summer and early fall of 2011 culminating in a sold-out show at London's O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire.

U.S. album release (2012–present)

MONA released their debut album in the United States on February 28, 2012. On that day they made their national television debut on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno performing "Lean Into The Fall", they also appeared on the Conan show on March 2, 2012, playing lead US single "Lean Into The Fall".

Torches & Pitchforks (2013)

On 12 June 2013 MONA announced that they would release their second album, Torches & Pitchforks, on Mercury Records July 23. The band also announced new tour dates, starting in Columbus, OH on July 7. Their 2013 single Goons (Baby, I Need It All) now serves as the goal song for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the NHL. [12]

In the Middle EP (2016)

On September 23, 2016, MONA announced that they would release their new EP In the Middle on October 28, on Bright Antenna Records. This will be the first release from the band in 3 years. The band also announced a string of fall tour dates with labelmates The Wombats, followed by a late fall run with July Talk kicking off on Nov 3 2016.

Soldier On (2018)

MONA's third album Soldier On was released in the summer of 2018. The band toured the U.S. in support of the record, before going to Europe to tour as the opener for Kings of Leon in the winter of 2018–2019. In March 2019 MONA began an extensive 4-month run as the opener on both North American legs of Blue October's King tour.

Discography

Studio albums

TitleDetailsPeak chart positions
UK
[13]
US
Heat.

[14]
Mona 3920
Torches & Pitchforks
Soldier On

Singles

YearSingleAlbum
2010"Listen To Your Love"Mona
"Trouble On the Way"
2011"Teenager"
"Listen To Your Love" (reissue)
"Shooting the Moon"
2012"Lean Into the Fall"
2013"Goons (Baby I Need It All)"Torches and Pitchforks
2016"In the Middle"In the Middle
2018"Kiss Like a Woman"Soldier On
"Not Alone"
2020"What's Real? (idchyf)"Non-album single
2023"All I'm Seeing"TBA
"Nothing is Dead"
"Told Ya"

Music videos

2010: "Listen to Your Love" – Mona (Dir. Jordan Noel)

2010: "Trouble On the Way" – Mona (Dir. Jordan Noel)

2010: "Teenager" – Mona

2011: "Listen To Your Love" (reissue) – Mona

2011: "Shooting the Moon" – Mona

2012: "Lean Into the Fall" – Mona (Dir. Jorden Noel)

2012: "Lines in The Sand" – Mona (Dir. Jorden Noel)

2014: "Wasted" – Torches and Pitchforks

2014: "Like You Do" – Torches and Pitchforks

2018: "Kiss Like a Woman" – Soldier On

Band members

Current members

Awards and nominations

YearOrganisationNominated workAwardResult
2010 BBC Sound of 2011 Mona Sound of 2011 [2] Nominated
MTV Awards Mona Brand New for 2011 [3] Won

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oasis (band)</span> English rock band (1991–2009)

Oasis were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. Originally known as the Rain, the group initially consisted of Liam Gallagher, Paul Arthurs (guitar), Paul McGuigan and Tony McCarroll (drums), with Liam's older brother Noel joining as a fifth member a few months after their formation. During the course of their existence, they had various lineup changes, with the Gallagher brothers remaining the only stable members.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liam Gallagher</span> English singer (born 1972)

William John Paul Gallagher, commonly known as Liam Gallagher, is an English singer and songwriter. He achieved fame as the lead vocalist of the rock band Oasis from 1991 to 2009, and later fronted the rock band Beady Eye from 2009 to 2014, before starting a successful solo career in 2017. Oasis had various line-up changes, and Gallagher and his elder brother Noel were the only constant members. One of the most recognisable figures in British rock music, Gallagher is noted for his distinctive vocal style and outspoken, arrogant, and volatile personality.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Noel Gallagher</span> English singer and guitarist (born 1967)

Noel Thomas David Gallagher is an English musician, singer and songwriter. He was the primary songwriter, lead guitarist and co-lead vocalist of the rock band Oasis until their split in 2009. After leaving Oasis, he formed Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds. He is one of the most successful songwriters in British music history, as the writer of eight UK number-one singles and co-writer of a further number one, as well as the sole or primary writer of ten UK number-one studio albums. He is widely considered to be one of the most influential songwriters in the history of British rock music, cited by numerous major subsequent artists as an influence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henry McCullough</span> Northern Irish guitarist, singer and songwriter

Henry Campbell Liken McCullough was a musician and singer-songwriter from Northern Ireland. He was best known for his work as a member of Spooky Tooth, The Grease Band and Paul McCartney and Wings. He also performed and recorded as a solo artist and session musician.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TAT (band)</span>

TAT is an English rock/punk band hailing from London.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kasabian</span> English rock band

Kasabian are an English rock band formed in Leicester in 1997 by lead vocalist Tom Meighan, guitarist and second vocalist Sergio Pizzorno, guitarist Chris Karloff and bassist Chris Edwards. Drummer Ian Matthews joined in 2004. Karloff left the band in 2006 and founded a new band called Black Onassis. Jay Mehler joined as touring lead guitarist in 2006, leaving for Liam Gallagher's Beady Eye in 2013, to be replaced by Tim Carter, who later became a full-time band member in 2021. Meighan left the band in July 2020, with Pizzorno stepping up as full-time lead vocalist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaiser Chiefs</span> English indie rock band

Kaiser Chiefs are an English indie rock band from Leeds who originally formed in 1997 as Runston Parva, before reforming as Parva in 2000, and releasing one studio album, 22, in 2003, before renaming and establishing themselves in their current name that same year. Since their formation, the band has consisted of lead vocalist Ricky Wilson, guitarist Andrew "Whitey" White, bassist Simon Rix, keyboardist Nick "Peanut" Baines and since 2013 drummer Vijay Mistry, who replaced founding drummer Nick Hodgson following his departure from the band in late 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Wombats</span> English indie rock band

The Wombats are an English indie rock band formed in Liverpool in 2003, consisting of Matthew Murphy, Tord Øverland Knudsen, and Dan Haggis. They have distribution deals with AWAL and Warner Music Australia. They have sold over 1 million albums worldwide. They created several EPs before releasing their first full album, Girls, Boys and Marsupials (2006), which was released only in Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beach House</span> American dream pop duo

Beach House is an American indie band formed in Baltimore in 2004 by current members Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally. Their work is characterized by a hypnotic dream pop style.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mumford & Sons</span> British folk rock band

Mumford & Sons are a British folk rock band formed in London in 2007. The band consists of Marcus Mumford, Ted Dwane, and Ben Lovett.

Sons of Noel and Adrian is an experimental band based in Brighton, England. They are known for their live performances with up to thirteen musicians on stage, all of whom play with many other bands. They are one of the founding groups of the Willkommen Collective.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Dead Weather</span> American rock band

The Dead Weather is an American rock supergroup, formed in Nashville, Tennessee in 2009. Composed of Alison Mosshart, Jack White, Dean Fertita and Jack Lawrence. The Dead Weather debuted at the opening of Third Man Records' Nashville headquarters on March 11, 2009. The band performed live for the first time at the event, immediately before releasing their debut single "Hang You from the Heavens".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ellie Goulding</span> English singer and songwriter (born 1986)

Elena Jane Goulding is an English singer and songwriter. Her career began when she met record producers Starsmith and Frankmusik, and she was later spotted by Jamie Lillywhite, who became her manager and A&R. After signing to Polydor Records in July 2009, Goulding released her debut extended play, An Introduction to Ellie Goulding, later that year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rumer (musician)</span> British singer-songwriter (born 1979)

Sarah Joyce, better known by her stage name, Rumer, is a Pakistan-born British singer-songwriter. Supported by leading music industry figures including Burt Bacharach, Elton John, Carly Simon, and Jools Holland, Rumer was nominated for two Brit awards on 13 January 2011. Her debut album, Seasons of My Soul, released in 2010, peaked on the UK Charts at #3, was certified platinum in 2013 having sold over one million copies, and was listed at #26 in the Official Top 40 Biggest Debut Albums of the Decade in 2019. Rumer's voice has been described by The Guardian and many others as being reminiscent of Karen Carpenter. Her stage name was inspired by the author Rumer Godden. Boys Don't Cry, released in 2012, peaked on the UK Charts at #3. She has performed at several festivals such as Glastonbury Festival. Her album This Girl's in Love was released in November 2016. In August 2020, she released her fifth album, Nashville Tears .

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Cardle</span> English singer

Matthew Sheridan Cardle is an English pop singer. He was born in Southampton and grew up in Halstead, Essex. Cardle has been involved in music since his early teens and has been a member of two different bands; Darwyn and Seven Summers. Cardle rose to fame after winning the seventh series of The X Factor, and received a £1 million recording contract with Syco Music and later signed a deal with Columbia Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crystal Fighters</span> British band

Crystal Fighters are an English-Spanish electronic music band, formed in 2007. Their debut album, Star of Love, was released in October 2010 in the UK and was released in the US through Atlantic Records in April 2012. Their second album, Cave Rave, was released on 27 May 2013 and their third, Everything Is My Family was released on 21 October 2016. Their fourth album titled Gaia & Friends was released on 1 March 2019. Their most recent album titled LIGHT+ was released on 3 November 2023.

<i>Mona</i> (album) 2011 studio album by Mona

Mona is the debut album by the American alternative rock band Mona. It was released in the United Kingdom and Europe on May 16, 2011 via Zion Noiz Recordings/Island Records and in the United States on February 28, 2012 via Zion Noiz Recordings/Mercury Records.

<i>Is Your Love Big Enough?</i> 2012 studio album by Lianne La Havas

Is Your Love Big Enough? is the debut studio album by English singer-songwriter Lianne La Havas. It was released in the United Kingdom on July 9, 2012, through Warner Bros. The album peaked at number 4 on the UK Albums Chart.

James Levy is an American, New York-based singer, songwriter, and producer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fatherson</span> Scottish alternative rock band

Fatherson are a Scottish alternative rock band formed in Kilmarnock, consisting of Ross Leighton, Marc Strain (bass) and Greg Walkinshaw (drums). They have toured with the bands Biffy Clyro, Frightened Rabbit, Panic! at the Disco, Feeder, Twin Atlantic, Enter Shikari and Idlewild. The band have so far released four studio albums, I Am an Island (2014), Open Book (2016), Sum Of All Your Parts (2018) and Normal Fears (2022).

References

  1. "NMETV Latest Music Videos and Clips". Nme.Com. Retrieved 2015-10-21.
  2. 1 2 Archived January 26, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  3. 1 2 3 Archived January 20, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  4. "Mona (Limited Edition Digipack) by Mona: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-10-21.
  5. "Crazedhits.com". Crazedhits.com. Archived from the original on 2016-02-01. Retrieved 2015-10-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  6. "BBC Two – Later... with Jools Holland, Series 37 Live, Episode 10". Bbc.co.uk. 2010-11-20. Retrieved 2015-10-21.
  7. "Listen To Your Love: Mona: Amazon.co.uk: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-10-21.
  8. "Trouble On The Way (Original Mix): Mona: Amazon.co.uk: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-10-21.
  9. "NMETV Latest Music Videos and Clips". Nme.Com. Retrieved 2015-10-21.
  10. "Shooting The Moon: Mona: Amazon.co.uk: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-10-21.
  11. "Mona: Album Art Revealed, New Video". MusicUnderFire. 2011-05-17. Retrieved 2015-10-21.
  12. "Monatheband.Com". Monatheband.Com. Archived from the original on 2016-02-01. Retrieved 2015-10-21.
  13. "MONA | Artist". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 2013-12-08.
  14. "Mona – Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 2015-10-21.