Mono (Japanese band)

Last updated
Mono
Mono collage.jpg
Mono (left to right): Yoda, Takada, Tamaki, Taka.
Background information
Origin Tokyo, Japan
Genres
Years active1999–present
Labels Temporary Residence Limited, Pelagic Records, Conspiracy, Human Highway, Tzadik
MembersTakaakira "Taka" Goto
Hideki "Yoda" Suematsu
Dahm Majuri Cipolla
Tamaki Kunishi
Past membersYasunori Takada
Website www.monoofjapan.com

Mono (stylised as MONO) is a Japanese instrumental band, formed in 1999 in Tokyo. The band consists of Takaakira "Taka" Goto (electric guitar, glockenspiel), Hideki "Yoda" Suematsu (electric guitar, glockenspiel), Dahm Majuri Cipolla (drums), and Tamaki Kunishi (bass guitar, electric guitar, piano, glockenspiel).

Contents

Mono have released eleven studio albums. The band spent their early years, from 1999 to 2003, touring Asia, Europe, and America continuously, and released two studio albums, Under the Pipal Tree (2001) and One Step More and You Die (2002) on the Tzadik Records and Music Mine Inc. record labels, respectively. From 2004 to 2007, Mono signed to Temporary Residence Limited, released two more studio albums, Walking Cloud and Deep Red Sky, Flag Fluttered and the Sun Shined (2004) and You Are There (2006), and toured worldwide in their support. In 2008, the band took a break, returning one year later with a new studio album, Hymn to the Immortal Wind (2009), also on Temporary Residence Limited. During the tour that followed they recorded a live album, Holy Ground: NYC Live With The Wordless Music Orchestra which was released in 2010. In October 2016 the band released their ninth studio album, titled Requiem for Hell. Their most recent effort, Nowhere Now Here was released on January 25, 2019, through Pelagic Records, and was produced by the band's longtime friend Steve Albini at Electrical Audio, Chicago. It also contains Tamaki's first vocals for the band on the track "Breathe".

The band have cited a variety of experimental, avant-rock and classical music artists as inspirations but stated that their aim is to transcend genre, rejecting the post-rock label which has often been applied to them. Mono's sound is characterised by the lead and rhythm guitars of Goto and Yoda respectively, both of whom make extensive use of reverb, distortion and delay effects. The band's live performances are noted for their intensity, both in the playing and in the dynamics.

History

Electric guitarist "Yoda" in 2007 MonoCrocodileCafe10.jpg
Electric guitarist "Yoda" in 2007

Formation and early years: 1999–2000

In January 1999, Tokyo native electric guitarist Takaakira "Taka" Goto began composing music and spent the remainder of the year searching for other musicians with which to form an instrumental rock band; eventually recruiting long-time friend and fellow electric guitarist Hideki "Yoda" Suematsu on rhythm guitar. [1] By December 1999, Tamaki Kunishi and Yasunori Takada had joined Mono on bass guitar and drums, respectively. The band played their first show in late January 2000, at Club 251 in Setagaya, Tokyo. [2] In May 2000, the band entered Rinky Dink Studio in Tokyo and recorded their first extended play with engineers Tetsuya Morioka and Toshiro Kai, which was later self-released in September 2000: a Japan-only release titled Hey, You on their own independent record label, Forty-4. The band spent the bulk of the year composing more music and performing at various houses around Tokyo, in the neighbourhoods of Setagaya, Shimokitazawa, and Shibuya. Mono also travelled to the United States to play a one-off show in November at the Mercury Lounge in New York City; a show which was later described by Paul Wheeler of rockofjapan.com as having a "big beautiful sound that [...] naturally [expanded] through each song." [3]

Under the Pipal Tree: 2001

Following the release of the Hey, You extended play, Mono spent the next year playing shows throughout their native Japan, as well as playing several shows in New York City and Sweden. The band also made an appearance at the 2001 South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas. Between performing in Japan, Mono recorded their first studio album, Under the Pipal Tree at Studio Take-1 and Forty-4 in Tokyo. The majority of the tracks were recorded live (a trend which the band would adopt for all subsequent studio albums) in one day, the recording session of which was funded by experimental American musician John Zorn, with the band handling production duties. The album featured two previously released tracks (from the Hey, You extended play), as well as six original compositions. The album was released worldwide through New York City record label Tzadik, owned and operated by John Zorn.

One Step More and You Die: 2002–2003

After the release of Under the Pipal Tree, the band spent the next year touring Japan and the United States, also visiting Germany and Taiwan in support of the album, as well as composing new material inspired by the tour. In June 2002, between shows in Japan, the band recorded their second studio album, One Step More and You Die at Little Bach and Sound City studios in Tokyo, with Mono again handling production duties. The album was released in Japan in October of that year on Japanese record label Music Mine Inc. The band spent most of 2003 touring in support of the album, returning to Japan, the United States, Sweden, and visiting Canada, Switzerland, Belgium, Hungary, the Netherlands, France, and the United Kingdom for the first time.

Walking Cloud and Deep Red Sky, Flag Fluttered and the Sun Shined: 2004

Mono's next release was a collaboration with Japanese musician Aki Onda; whom the band met while touring New York in 2002. The band, Onda, and several notable members of the New York experimental music scene (including DJ Olive, Jackie-O Motherfucker, and Loren Connors) remixed One Step More and You Die. The album, titled New York Soundtracks , was released in February 2004 on Human Highway, Mono's own record label, and a successor to Forty-4.

In January 2004, the band began a long partnership with Chicagoan recording engineer Steve Albini, recording their third studio album at Electrical Audio Engineering in Chicago, Illinois. The album, titled Walking Cloud and Deep Red Sky, Flag Fluttered and the Sun Shined was released in April 2004 on Human Highway in Japan, and on Rykodisk in Europe and Temporary Residence Limited in the United States later in the year. After the album's release, the band embarked upon a year-long tour of America, Asia, and Europe.

You Are There: 2005–2007

Mono in Stockholm, Sweden, May 2005 Mono live 20050502.jpg
Mono in Stockholm, Sweden, May 2005

The band also spent 2005 touring Asia, America, and Europe composing music, and eventually returning to Electrical Audio Engineering in February and September to record their fourth studio album with Steve Albini. The album, titled You Are There was released in Japan in March 2006 on Human Highway, and on Temporary Residence Limited in the United States and Europe. Mono also collaborated with Japanese musician World's End Girlfriend in 2005, releasing a collaboration studio album in December of that year, on Human Highway, and with American band Pelican, releasing a split album with the band through Temporary Residence Limited in October 2005. In February 2007, American webzine Somewhere Cold voted their split with World's End Girlfriend Palmless Prayer / Mass Murder Refrain No. 7 on their 2006 Somewhere Cold Awards Hall of Fame. [4]

Mono spent 2006 and 2007 touring Asia, America and Europe in support of You Are There. In October 2006, the band returned to Electrical Audio Engineering and recorded a four-track extended play, which was released in April 2007 as part of Temporary Residence Limited's Travels in Constants series, titled The Phoenix Tree. In November 2006, the band released a two-track extended play titled Memorie dal Futuro through Vinyl Films, and also contributed a track to a Temporary Residence Limited compilation album, Thankful. In September 2007, the band released their first compilation album, compiling material from all previous extended plays, split albums, and compilations, titled Gone: A Collection of EPs 2000–2007 , as well as the music documentary DVD, The Sky Remains the Same as Ever, documenting the worldwide tours of 2006 and 2007 and the recording of The Phoenix Tree extended play.

Hymn to the Immortal Wind: 2008–2011

Mono in Prague, Czech Republic, April 2010 Mono in Prague 2010.jpg
Mono in Prague, Czech Republic, April 2010

In 2008, the band took a year-long break from touring, spending the time composing new music and playing a handful of shows throughout the year, including an appearance at All Tomorrow's Parties in Somerset, England, curated by Explosions in the Sky in May. Mono returned to Electrical Audio Engineering in June and November 2008 to record their fifth studio album, Hymn to the Immortal Wind , which was later released in March 2009, and followed by a year-long tour of America and Eurasia. The band played a ten-year anniversary show at the Society for Ethical Culture Hall in New York, United States on 8 May 2009, accompanied by the 24-piece Wordless Music Orchestra. The performance was recorded and later released as both a live album and a DVD, named Holy Ground: NYC Live With The Wordless Music Orchestra, through Temporary Residence Limited in Europe and America, and Human Highway in Asia. The band then took another year-long break and went into "hibernation mode", returning to Japan to work on songs for a new album.

For My Parents: 2012–2014

Mono spent early 2012 recording a new album at Waterfront Studios in Hudson, New York, with recording engineers Henry Hirsch, accompanied by the Wordless Music Orchestra. [5] The album was mixed by Fred Weaver at his studio, Apocalypse the Apocalypse, in Clearfield, Pennsylvania. For My Parents was MONO's first record in eight years not to be recorded by Steve Albini at Electrical Audio Studios in Chicago. For My Parents , was released on 4 September 2012, through Temporary Residence Limited. [6] The band's press release for For My Parents states "We hope that this album serves as a gift from child to parent. While everything else continues to change, this love remains a constant throughout time." [6]

The Last Dawn/Rays of Darkness: 2014–2016

Mono released a double album on 24 October 2014, two contrasting records: The Last Dawn, being a more traditional Mono record; and Rays of Darkness, some of their heaviest material, even more notable for the first use of vocals on The Hand That Holds The Truth. The two were released on Temporary Residence Limited in North American and Pelagic Records elsewhere. [7]

Requiem for Hell: 2016–2019

Mono announced the forthcoming release of Requiem For Hell on 19 July 2016, their ninth studio album. It reintroduces strings to their sound. It was also their first full album under the newly formed label Pelagic Records. Prior to the full release of Requiem For Hell they did a split album with The Ocean (Transcendental) to commemorate this event. Later it was known that it was actually a sneak peek of the first two songs of their upcoming album. [8] On December 9, 2017, they announced via their social media pages that Yasunori Takada (drum kit, glockenspiel, synthesizer), who has been a member since the start, will leave the band due to "personal reasons." He was replaced by Dahm Majuri Cipolla beginning with the band's live performance on August 9, 2018. [9]

Starting in August 2018, they worked on their next project with Steve Albini at Electrical once again. On September 25, 2018, the new album was revealed to be called Nowhere Now Here, their first with Cipolla, it was released January 25, 2019. [10]

Hymn to the Immortal Wind (10 Year Anniversary Edition)/Pilgrimage of the Soul/My Story, The Buraku Story/Heaven Vol. 1: 2019-present

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of MONO, and the 10th anniversary of Hymn to the Immortal Wind, Temporary Residence Ltd. released Hymn to the Immortal Wind - Anniversary Edition. Featuring remastered versions of the original.

In 2020, the band started touring Asia and Australia with more dates to follow in Europe and North America, but they were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The band stopped the touring activity and began writing new music.

On Christmas Day 2020, Mono released a 2-track single called "Scarlet Holliday". [11] Firstly released only digitally, it was then released on vinyl on March 4, 2022, with a third extra track. [12]

Meanwhile, the band released their 11th record Pilgrimage of the Soul on September 17, 2021. The album was recorded during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in the summer of 2020 with the usual assistance of Steve Albini. [13] The single Riptide was released in July 2021 and anticipated the new album.

As the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic kept the band away from the stage, Mono composed their first soundtrack ever. My Story, The Buraku Story was released on vinyl and CD on May 27, 2022. [14]

Finally, the band played live for the first time in over 2 years in April 2022. The first tour was held in North America throughout April, then European tour was followed from mid-August to mid-September, ending the year with a short Asia tour in the second quarter of November.

In December 2022, the band announced the beginning of a series of Christmas EPs named "Heaven" to be released every year on Christmas day. The goal of the series is to express is the light without anxiety and sadness in life. [15] Heaven Vol. 1 featured three brand new songs and was released digitally on December 25, 2022, to which a vinyl physical released followed in March 2023.

Mono entered the studio in February 2023 [16] to record their 12th album once again at the Electrical Audio in Chicago with Steve Albini. The recording was completed on March 4 and the album is expected to be released in 2024. [17] They also announced a new European tour for spring 2023 with more festival dates to follow in the summer. [18]

Musical style

Although Mono's musical style has developed throughout their career, it has primarily been characterised by dynamic, guitar-based instrumental soundscapes, the majority of which are composed by lead guitarist Takaakira Goto, in an attempt to channel and express the emotions of joy and sorrow. [19] The band's style of music originally featured elements of minimalism and noise, and later developed to integrate more complex, orchestral arrangements and instrumentation. [20] Mono's music has been categorised as both contemporary classical [21] and post-rock, [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] but Goto has stated:

Music is communicating the incommunicable; that means a term like post-rock doesn't mean much to us, as the music needs to transcend genre to be meaningful.

Takaakira Goto, Time Out [27]
Goto performing in 2007; the band provides an emotional live performance MonoCrocodileCafe12.jpg
Goto performing in 2007; the band provides an emotional live performance

Mono has toured worldwide several times. Their live show tends to feature intense and emotional playing by the band members, as well as using extreme dynamics (in crescendos as well as diminuendos) in their attempt to create an "unforgettable" live performance. [28] When recording their music, the band has always played live in the studio and, from 2004's Walking Cloud and Deep Red Sky, Flag Fluttered and the Sun Shined to 2009's Hymn to the Immortal Wind, worked with Chicagoan recording engineer Steve Albini, whom they feel accurately captured a live band's "raw emotion to [magnetic] tape." [29]

Influences

Mono has drawn influence from various musical and non-musical sources throughout their career. When the band first formed, their main influences were American experimental rock band Sonic Youth and Anglo-Irish shoegaze band My Bloody Valentine when making Under the Pipal Tree and One Step More and You Die. [1] As the band broadened their musical tastes, starting with the album, Walking Cloud and Deep Red Sky, Flag Fluttered and the Sun Shined, they began to be influenced by music from sources such as German classical composer Ludwig van Beethoven, Italian film score composer Ennio Morricone, and later Polish minimalist composer Henryk Górecki, among others. [19] Lead guitarist Takaakira Goto has also acknowledged Danish film director Lars von Trier (in particular the 1996 film, Breaking the Waves ) as a major influence since the band's formation, in terms of expressing the different depths and heights of emotion. [19]

Instrumentation

Instruments of the band (2007 at the Crocodile Cafe) PerformanceatCrocodileCafe.jpg
Instruments of the band (2007 at the Crocodile Cafe)

In terms of instrumentation, Mono is a four-piece instrumental rock band. Goto, the group's lead guitarist, uses a 1966 Fender Jazzmaster through Boss, Danelectro, SiB, and Morley effects pedals, into a Fender Twin, a Marshall JCM 2000 head, and a Marshall cabinet for amplification. [30] Yoda, the rhythm guitarist, uses a 1974 Fender Stratocaster through Boss, Tech 21 and Pro Co effects pedals, into a Fender Twin for amplification. [30] Kunishi, the group's bass guitarist, pianist and occasional guitarist uses a 1966 Gibson EB-3 through Boss, TC Electronic, and Tech 21 effects pedals, into an Ampeg B2-R head and a Sunn bass cabinet, as well as a Fender Rhodes, and a Fender Jazzmaster. [30] Takada, the drummer, uses a four-piece 1970s Ludwig drum kit, with Zildjian, Sabian, and Paiste cymbals, as well as a Korg microKORG synthesizer. [30]

As the band's career has progressed, they have incorporated string sections on record, beginning with Under the Pipal Tree, which featured use of cello, continuing with One Step More and You Die and Walking Cloud and Deep Red Sky, Flag Fluttered and the Sun Shined which both featured string quartets, and You Are There, which featured a string quintet. On Hymn to the Immortal Wind, the band made use of a 28-piece chamber orchestra.

Members

Current members
Former members

Discography

Studio albums

Extended plays

Compilation albums

Split Albums

Collaborations

Remix albums

Live albums

Soundtracks

Singles and music videos

Documentary

DVDs

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GO!GO!7188</span> Japanese rock band

Go!Go!7188, also known simply as Go!Go!, was a Japanese rock band with influences spanning from surf rock to punk rock to J-pop.

Chirinuruwowaka (チリヌルヲワカ), is a Japanese rock band formed in 2005 by Yumi Nakashima, known from the band GO!GO!7188.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rin'</span> Japanese pop group

Rin' is an all-female Japanese pop group which combines traditional Japanese musical instruments and style with elements of modern pop and rock music. It is a female trio of Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music alumni who graduated in 2003. The band made their performing debut in December 2003, at Meguro Gajoen, and in April 2004, their first single, called Sakitama, was released by avex trax.

<i>Style</i> (Luna Sea album) 1996 studio album by Luna Sea

Style is the fifth studio album by Japanese rock band Luna Sea, released on April 22, 1996. It was the band's last on the record label MCA Victor, became their first number one on the Oricon Albums Chart, and charted for 21 weeks. In 1996, it was certified Platinum by the RIAJ for sales over 400,000. Luna Sea re-recorded the entire album and released it on November 29, 2023, through Avex Trax.

<i>Mother</i> (Luna Sea album) 1994 studio album by Luna Sea

Mother is the fourth studio album by Japanese rock band Luna Sea, released on October 26, 1994. It reached number two on the Oricon Albums Chart and was certified Platinum by the RIAJ for sales over 400,000. Luna Sea re-recorded the entire album and released it on November 29, 2023, through Avex Trax.

Tourbillon are a Japanese rock trio formed in 2005 by Luna Sea members Ryuichi Kawamura (vocals) and Inoran (guitar), and D-Loop member Hiroaki "H. Hayama" Hayama (keyboards). They reached number three on the Oricon Singles Chart with "Break the Chain", the opening theme of the TV series Kamen Rider Kiva. The group ended activities in 2008 shortly after its release. Tourbillon reunited in 2015, and again in 2023.

Shinsei Kamattechan (神聖かまってちゃん) is a Japanese rock band from Chiba, formed in 2007. The band consists of Noko, Mono, and Misako (drums). They describe themselves as an "Internet Pop Rock Band", which reflects the blend of pop melodies and piano with dark lyrics and punk rock sensibilities found within their music, as well as the band's long history of broadcasting both live performances and aspects of their daily lives on the Internet.

<i>Real World</i> (album) 2010 studio album by Kokia

Real World is Kokia's 11th studio album, released on March 31, 2010. Kokia travelled to the Tunisian Sahara for inspiration for songs on the album. Because of this, much of the promotional material is themed around her trip to Tunisia, including the album booklet and the music video for "The Woman."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inori (Sakanaction song)</span> 2013 song by Sakanaction

"Inori" is a song by Japanese band Sakanaction. An instrumental electronic track incorporating non-lexical vocables, "Inori" was a collaboration with the Japanese electronic musician Aoki Takamasa. The song originally appeared as the first song on the band's sixth studio album Sakanaction, released on March 13, 2013. Three months later, "Inori" was packaged with another instrumental song from Sakanaction, "Structure", as the Inori EP, a vinyl record-exclusive release. The record debuted at number 36 on Oricon's weekly singles chart.

Shiori Niiyama is Japanese singer and songwriter, who made major debut with single Yureru Yureru under B Zone in 2013. In, 2018, she announced hiatus which lasted 3 years and in 2021 resumed her music activities.

<i>Belie</i> 2016 studio album by Akina Nakamori

Belie is a covers album by Japanese singer Akina Nakamori. It was released on 30 November 2016 under Universal Music Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kiyotaka Sugiyama</span> Japanese singer-songwriter (born 1959)

Kiyotaka Sugiyama is a Japanese singer-songwriter known for being the lead vocalist of S. Kiyotaka & Omega Tribe. Debuting in 1983 with the band, Sugiyama began his solo career in 1986 after the band's disbandment the previous year. As the lead singer of S. Kiyotaka & Omega Tribe, he was the lead voice on songs such as "Summer Suspicion" and "Futari no Natsu Monogatari", while as a solo artist he has had multiple hit songs including "Sayonara Ocean", "Saigo no Holy Night", and "Mizu no Naka no Answer".

<i>Abracadabra</i> (Buck-Tick album) 2020 studio album by Buck-Tick

Abracadabra is the 22nd studio album by the Japanese rock band Buck-Tick, released on September 21, 2020 by the label Lingua Sounda, subdivision of Victor Entertainment and November 20, 2020 internationally by JPU Records. It was released in two editions in Japan: regular and limited in three formats: CD + Blu-ray, cassette and vinyl. Internationally it was released on CD and cassette with bonus tracks.

<i>Kansha!!!!! - Thank You for 20 Years New and Best</i> 2019 greatest hits album by Ai

Kansha!!!!! - Thank You for 20 Years New and Best is the fourth greatest hits album by Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai. It was released on November 6, 2019, through EMI Records and Universal Music Group. Released in two physical configurations, disc one contains three new songs and six re-recorded gospel tracks of her previous hit singles while disc two contains material previously not available outside of Asia. The album served as Ai's first international compilation release.

Uchu Nekoko, also known as Universe Nekoko, is a Japanese dream pop duo from Kanagawa formed in 2012. It was formed by Nemuko Yamanaka and Kо̄hei Tanabe, but currently comprises Yamanaka and Kano. The duo have never released their faces, instead choosing to identify themselves through anime avatars.

The year 2022 in Japanese music.

<i>Remember You</i> (album) 2023 studio album by Ayumi Hamasaki

Remember You is the eighteenth studio album by Japanese recording artist Ayumi Hamasaki. Preceded by seven singles released from 2020 to 2022, it also marks her first studio album release in the Reiwa era.

<i>Umibe</i> 2022 studio album by Sid

Umibe (海辺) is the eleventh studio album by Japanese rock band Sid, released on March 23, 2022, by Ki/oon Music. The digital single "Jiu no Kuchizuke" is the opening theme of Heaven Official's Blessing.

<i>Vampire</i> (album) 2017 studio album by Akina Nakamori

Vampire is a cover EP by Japanese singer Akina Nakamori. It was released on 3 May 2017 under Universal Music Japan.

<i>Thats Why I Gave Up on Music</i> 2019 studio album by Yorushika

That's Why I Gave Up on Music, is the first studio album by Japanese rock duo Yorushika. It was released on April 10, 2019 by U&R records.

References

  1. 1 2 "MONO interview © terrascope online". Terrascope.co.uk. 2006-04-10. Retrieved 2010-05-27.
  2. "Mono : Shows". 2007-11-08. Archived from the original on November 8, 2007. Retrieved 2012-04-17.
  3. "& Others-live (M-N)". Rockofjapan.com. Retrieved 2010-05-27.
  4. Lamoreaux, Jason T. (February 7, 2007). "2006 Somewhere Cold Awards". Somewhere Cold . Archived from the original on May 22, 2008. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  5. MONO. "Tweet". Twitter. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  6. 1 2 Battan, Carrie (20 June 2012). "Mono Announce New Album". Pitchfork. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  7. "Temporary Residence Ltd.'s Community". Temporary Residence Ltd. Retrieved 2020-07-21.
  8. "MONO to release 9th album "Requiem For Hell" on October 14th!". Pelagic-records.com. 18 July 2016. Retrieved 2016-10-14.
  9. "New MONO Drummer: Dahm Majuri Cipolla". JosephGonzales.com. Retrieved 2018-09-25.
  10. "Nowhere Now Here". monoofjapan.com/en/. Retrieved 2018-09-25.
  11. "MONO (Japan) on Instagram: "Today, as a special Christmas gift, we're happy to release a new two-song single "Scarlet Holliday", featuring "First Winter", exclusively via our Bandcamp! We recorded these songs with the idea of new hope for the new year since 2020 has become unforeseeably dark for many in the world. We'd like to wish you all good health, happiness and good cheer in the coming year. Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year ahead! クリスマスギフトとして新しいスペシャル・シングル"Scarlet Holliday"と"First Winter"の2曲をBandcampでリリースしました! 2020年は暗い年になったので、来年の新たな希望としてこの曲を作りました。 皆さんの健康と幸せを願って。素敵なクリスマスと新年を! https://www.smarturl.it/mono-scarlet (Link in bio) Much love, MONO December 25, 2020 Artwork by Ogino Design (@oginodesign) #monoofjapan #monojapan #scarletholliday #newsingle #instrumentalrock #experimentalrock #postrock #shoegaze #forty4records #studioforty4 #electricalaudio @electricalaudio #oginodesign"". Instagram. Retrieved 2023-05-02.{{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  12. "MONO (Japan) on Instagram: "Last year, we released a special 2-song Xmas single "Scarlet Holliday" DIY. Now, we're delighted to announce that this single is officially getting released as a 3-song EP on March 4, newly mixed by John McEntire and mastered by Bob Weston, via Temporary Residence Ltd. (@tempresltd) and Pelagic Records (@pelagic_records) on LP and Digital. The title track single, as well as the pre-order, are available now. Temporary Residence Ltd. (US): - Metallic Silver LP (Ltd. to 1,000) - Black LP Pelagic Records (EU): - Dahm's First Born LP (Ltd. to 250) - First Winter LP (Ltd. to 300) - Blue Moon LP (Ltd. to 400) - Transparent Blue LP (Ltd. to 200) - Subscribers LP (Ltd. to 350) - Black LP Pre-order: www.smarturl.it/mono-scarlet-2022 (Link in bio) Artwork by Ogino Design (@oginodesign) #monoofjapan #monojapan #scarletholliday #johnmcentire #somaelectronicmusicstudios #bobweston #chicagomasteringservice #temporaryresidence #pelagicrecords #oginodesign #instrumentalrock #experimentalrock #postrock #shoegaze"". Instagram. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
  13. "MONO (Japan) on Instagram: "After a long year of planning, we're excited to announce that we'll be releasing the new 11th album "Pilgrimage of the Soul" which was recorded during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in the summer of 2020. Recorded and mixed by Steve Albini, this album will mark its release on September 17, 2021 via Temporary Residence Ltd. (@tempresltd), Pelagic Records (@pelagic_records) and New Noise (@newnoise_china). Pre-order for the album is available now, alongside the new film/single "Riptide" and exclusive merch, coinciding with this announcement. MONO "Pilgrimage of the Soul" (2021) Pre-order & full info: www.monoofjapan.com Temporary Residence Ltd. (North America): - Opaque Orange DLP (Ltd. to 1,000) - Standard Black DLP - Digi Wallet CD Pelagic Records (Europe): - Clouds DLP (Ltd. to 250) - Eternity DLP (Ltd. to 150) - Infinity DLP (Ltd. to 500) - Wild Flower DLP (Ltd. to 200) - Auguries DLP (Ltd. to 333) [Subscriber Edition] - Standard Black DLP - Digi Wallet CD - "Wild Flower" T-Shirt & Hoodie (Europe Exclusive) - "Auguries" Long Sleeve (Europe Exclusive) New Noise (China): - Opaque White w/ Orange Splatter DLP (Ltd. to 1,000) - Digi Wallet CD - "Infinity" T-Shirt (China Exclusive) Omerch (Europe): - "Riptide" T-Shirt (Omerch Exclusive) Artwork by Ahmed Emad Eldin (@ahmed.emad.eldin) #monoofjapan #monojapan #pilgrimageofthesoul #newalbum #temporaryresidence #pelagicrecords #newnoisechina #groundcontroltouring #nmclive #stevealbini #oginodesign #ahmedemadeldin #alisongroup #instrumentalrock #experimentalrock #postrock #shoegaze"". Instagram. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
  14. "MONO (Japan) on Instagram: "Today, we're excited to release our 2nd new single "The Place" from our first-ever feature-length OST album "My Story, The Buraku Story". Check it out on your preferred digital platform. The full album is out this month on May 27 on CD and Digital, with a delayed LP release on November 11, via Temporary Residence Ltd. (@tempresltd). https://found.ee/mono-buraku-ost (Link in bio) Artwork by Ogino Design (@oginodesign) #monoofjapan #monojapan #theplace #mystorytheburakustory #originalsoundtrack #ost #instrumentalrock #experimentalrock #postrock #shoegaze #ambient #neoclassical #temporaryresidence #yusakumitsuwaka #chicagomasteringservice #oginodesign"". Instagram. Retrieved 2023-05-02.{{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  15. "MONO (Japan) on Instagram: "From this Christmas, we're pleased to announce that we'll be releasing a mini album series called "Heaven" every year. With the subject "Heaven", what we want to express is the light without anxiety and sadness in life. We'd like you to listen to the album with or while thinking about your partner, family, friends or someone important. For volume 1, we recorded 3 new songs. The pre-order is available now exclusively from Bandcamp and will be released on December 25 at 08:00 EST / 14:00 CET / 22:00 JST. All the funds gained from this platform will be put towards our recording for the 12th album which is now scheduled for February 2023. >>> https://monoofjapan.bandcamp.com/album/heaven-vol-1 (Link in bio) < Thank you, everyone, for your continued support from the bottom of our hearts. We hope this album will be a great Christmas gift from us to you all! The LP edition of the album is also scheduled for early 2023, post-Bandcamp release. 今年のクリスマスから毎年、ミニアルバムシリーズ"Heaven"をリリースすることをお知らせします。 この"Heaven"という題材において、僕たちが表現したいと考えているものは人生における不安や悲しみのない光です。クリスマスの日に大切なパートナーや家族、友人と、または、大切な人のことを思いながら聞いて欲しいと思います。 第一弾となる"Heaven Vol. 1"では3つの新しい曲を収録しました。今回はBandcampのみでの先行発売、リリースは12/25 日本時間 22:00 (NY 08:00 / EU 14:00) 予定。 またこのアルバムの収益は来年2月に予定している12枚目のフルアルバムのレコーディング制作費に使用する予定です。 いつもサポートを本当にありがとうございます。このアルバムが、僕たちからミンナへのクリスマスギフトになりますように! LP版のアルバムも2023春、Bandcampリリース後販売予定。 Much love, MONO Mixed & Mastered by Rafael Anton Irisarri & Jeremy deVine at Black Knoll Studio (@blackknoll) Artwork by Eliana Reiman-deVine Design by Jeremy deVine #monoofjapan #monojapan #heavenvol1 #heavenseries #instrumentalrock #experimentalrock #postrock #shoegaze #christmas #blackknollstudio #jeremydevine #elianareimandevine #oginodesign"". Instagram. Retrieved 2023-05-02.{{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  16. "MONO (Japan) on Instagram: "From this Christmas, we're pleased to announce that we'll be releasing a mini album series called "Heaven" every year. With the subject "Heaven", what we want to express is the light without anxiety and sadness in life. We'd like you to listen to the album with or while thinking about your partner, family, friends or someone important. For volume 1, we recorded 3 new songs. The pre-order is available now exclusively from Bandcamp and will be released on December 25 at 08:00 EST / 14:00 CET / 22:00 JST. All the funds gained from this platform will be put towards our recording for the 12th album which is now scheduled for February 2023. >>> https://monoofjapan.bandcamp.com/album/heaven-vol-1 (Link in bio) < Thank you, everyone, for your continued support from the bottom of our hearts. We hope this album will be a great Christmas gift from us to you all! The LP edition of the album is also scheduled for early 2023, post-Bandcamp release. 今年のクリスマスから毎年、ミニアルバムシリーズ"Heaven"をリリースすることをお知らせします。 この"Heaven"という題材において、僕たちが表現したいと考えているものは人生における不安や悲しみのない光です。クリスマスの日に大切なパートナーや家族、友人と、または、大切な人のことを思いながら聞いて欲しいと思います。 第一弾となる"Heaven Vol. 1"では3つの新しい曲を収録しました。今回はBandcampのみでの先行発売、リリースは12/25 日本時間 22:00 (NY 08:00 / EU 14:00) 予定。 またこのアルバムの収益は来年2月に予定している12枚目のフルアルバムのレコーディング制作費に使用する予定です。 いつもサポートを本当にありがとうございます。このアルバムが、僕たちからミンナへのクリスマスギフトになりますように! LP版のアルバムも2023春、Bandcampリリース後販売予定。 Much love, MONO Mixed & Mastered by Rafael Anton Irisarri & Jeremy deVine at Black Knoll Studio (@blackknoll) Artwork by Eliana Reiman-deVine Design by Jeremy deVine #monoofjapan #monojapan #heavenvol1 #heavenseries #instrumentalrock #experimentalrock #postrock #shoegaze #christmas #blackknollstudio #jeremydevine #elianareimandevine #oginodesign"". Instagram. Retrieved 2023-05-02.{{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  17. "MONO (Japan) on Instagram: "We have finished recording our new record with Steve Albini. The album is planned to be released next year. Now, we're off to Taiwan, Hong Kong and Australia to start our first tour of 2023! Mar 4: Taiwan Mar 5: Hong Kong Mar 8-10: Australia May 6-Jun 2: Europe Jul 1: Spain Schedule & Tickets: www.monoofjapan.com/tour.php (Link in bio) #monoofjapan #monojapan #electricalaudio @electricalaudio #newalbum"". Instagram. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
  18. "MONO (Japan) on Instagram: "From this Christmas, we're pleased to announce that we'll be releasing a mini album series called "Heaven" every year. With the subject "Heaven", what we want to express is the light without anxiety and sadness in life. We'd like you to listen to the album with or while thinking about your partner, family, friends or someone important. For volume 1, we recorded 3 new songs. The pre-order is available now exclusively from Bandcamp and will be released on December 25 at 08:00 EST / 14:00 CET / 22:00 JST. All the funds gained from this platform will be put towards our recording for the 12th album which is now scheduled for February 2023. >>> https://monoofjapan.bandcamp.com/album/heaven-vol-1 (Link in bio) < Thank you, everyone, for your continued support from the bottom of our hearts. We hope this album will be a great Christmas gift from us to you all! The LP edition of the album is also scheduled for early 2023, post-Bandcamp release. 今年のクリスマスから毎年、ミニアルバムシリーズ"Heaven"をリリースすることをお知らせします。 この"Heaven"という題材において、僕たちが表現したいと考えているものは人生における不安や悲しみのない光です。クリスマスの日に大切なパートナーや家族、友人と、または、大切な人のことを思いながら聞いて欲しいと思います。 第一弾となる"Heaven Vol. 1"では3つの新しい曲を収録しました。今回はBandcampのみでの先行発売、リリースは12/25 日本時間 22:00 (NY 08:00 / EU 14:00) 予定。 またこのアルバムの収益は来年2月に予定している12枚目のフルアルバムのレコーディング制作費に使用する予定です。 いつもサポートを本当にありがとうございます。このアルバムが、僕たちからミンナへのクリスマスギフトになりますように! LP版のアルバムも2023春、Bandcampリリース後販売予定。 Much love, MONO Mixed & Mastered by Rafael Anton Irisarri & Jeremy deVine at Black Knoll Studio (@blackknoll) Artwork by Eliana Reiman-deVine Design by Jeremy deVine #monoofjapan #monojapan #heavenvol1 #heavenseries #instrumentalrock #experimentalrock #postrock #shoegaze #christmas #blackknollstudio #jeremydevine #elianareimandevine #oginodesign"". Instagram. Retrieved 2023-05-02.{{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  19. 1 2 3 "JudasKiss - Mono – interview". Monkeyhouse-recordings.co.uk. Retrieved 2010-05-27.
  20. "PRIMER: Mono Shares the Back Stories Behind Their Massive Catalogue, Including That One 10" They Did For Cameron Crowe | self-titled magazine :: s/t daily". Self-titledmag.com. 2009-05-09. Retrieved 2010-05-27.
  21. Jarnes, Mike (2 August 2012). "Mono wants you to give your parents a hug". The Japan Times. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
  22. "Mono". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
  23. Page, Paul (14 December 2012). "Mono". entertainment.ie . Retrieved December 19, 2012.
  24. "Mono". Insound. Archived from the original on December 12, 2012. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
  25. Becker, Daniel Levin (October 2004). "Mono". CMJ (127). ISSN   1074-6978.
  26. "Mono - Hymn to the Immortal Wind". Spin . 25 (6): 91. June 2009. ISSN   0886-3032.
  27. St John, Colin (23 April 2009). "No bubblegum inside". Time Out. Retrieved 8 December 2012.
  28. "Experience Mono". Star-ecentral.com. 2008-07-02. Retrieved 2010-05-27.
  29. "Mono find fan in Steve Albini | The Japan Times Online". Search.japantimes.co.jp. 2007-08-31. Retrieved 2010-05-27.
  30. 1 2 3 4 Mecham, Joseph. "Mono Gear Review". guitarjunkie.net. Retrieved 20 March 2012.[ permanent dead link ]
  31. "MONO (Japan) | Official Website". www.monoofjapan.com. Retrieved 2024-04-13.