As March approaches, the idea of being on the road for our tour excites me.  Having had our first road trip experience last year really changed my sense of traveling and playing shows in general.  Don’t get me wrong, I love performing in Chicago; we are so fortunate to have great venues and respectable people in the scene that take care of us musicians.  But there is something about playing in a new territory.  Traveling hundreds of miles to a destination that you have never been to, getting ready in a small bar restroom with a tulle dress on, and wondering if anyone is going to show up are all wonderful and irresistible feelings to have.

Miles, along with a lot of bands, share the same fascination of “Sprinter” vehicles.  Its like the modernized version of a bread truck  but with the snazzy acceptable presence that an angled toaster oven can look up to.  Personally, I wouldn’t mind traveling in an ice cream truck across the U.S. We could sell rainbow sno-cones and ninja turtle pops to help pay for gas.  And if I get hungry, I can make myself a chocolate and vanilla swirl cone with sprinkles.  Or, if I had it my way, a vintage VW bus sounds nice. When we can’t find a place to stay we can park at the beach and reflect to our hearts content.

we scream for ice cream.

down by the beach.

Miles' dream.

Love.

The Loneliest Monk

Homemade Cello.

Cellos come in different shapes.

Love.

The Loneliest Monk

I like how 2011′s first 7 days have been such a great start to our year.  We rang in the New Year with our bestest of friends a la 1920′s style at Kyle LaMere’s iShootRockstars studio.  All the ladies were dolled up with fringe and feathers in their hair and the guys gave Al Capone a run for his money.  The weather was an odd 50 degrees but after all the snow, Chicago deserved it.

We started off the first week back with what we do during the day, working, and somehow fitting two very long practices in.  We have a small practice space but it is our favorite sound portal.  It seems to be Monk tradition, but somehow we end up writing a song and performing it the very next day.  It can be stressful but in the end you realize how much you can accomplish when your musical ideas work together.

The day of our first show included Miles stopping off at Andy’s Music in Roscoe Village.  He loves that place, not only for their selection but their amazing staff.  Awhile ago they were selling a unique looking green electric cello that I would love to test out.

We then headed to the Fearless Radio studio for a super fun interview by Justin.  Listeners had a chance to ‘tweet’ in comments and questions and I, for the record, admitted to liking Gossip Girl on the air.  (Later that evening Miles received notification that a “Chuck Bass” was following him on Twitter.)  In case you missed it, you will be able to download it next week.

Off to Subterranean we went and the night was filled by great music as well as familiar & new faces.  We were excited to be a part of GigMaven’s official Launch Party in Chicago and will definitely be using it to book our Spring Tour.  We bid adieu to Shawn from Netherfriends as he makes his way to Austin for a couple months.  I’ve seen him perform so many times now, but each time I hear him its seems so fresh to my ears.

Post Concert Review courtesy of Mezzic

More Words!

The blog posts for our Music Video are starting to come in and so far we’ve had great responses and reviews!

Here are their words:

Urban Outfitters Blog
” ..a look into an underground masquerade ball that’s slightly haunting but mostly just fun.”
-Justin White
Check it here

Heave Media Hey Remember Videos?! Music Video Feature
“Morales is the sure-footed Alice and Benjamin the loud, percussive Hatter, melding together into a mix of beauty and danger.”
-Amy Dittmeier
Check it here

We’ll keep posting them as they come in.  Look for faster updates via Twitter.

Love.

The Loneliest Monk

Happy Tuesday.

Before our set this Thursday at Subterranean for GigMaven‘s Launch Party, you will be able to listen to a live interview and performance courtesy of Fearless Radio

Tune in to Fearless Radio on 1.6.11 at 3pm CST and click the “listen” button near the top of the page.

You can also Tweet us on air directly to:  @fearlessradio The interview is listener interactive and the station loves questions & comments directed to the artists.

So have your questions ready and log on to your Twitter account at 3pm and hopefully we can answer questions like; does Miles wear his mask all the time? Does Michelle prefer gummi bears or gummi worms?

This will be an exciting day for us and we look forward to your questions!

Love.

The Loneliest Monk

Its amazing what can be crammed into an entire year.  I’m not one to recount things too much but as a band we’ve had some incredible experiences in 2010.  Our debut record came out along with our first music video and travels to performances from Coast to Coast was all too unforgettable…

Moving forward, we couldn’t be more excited for our first show of the year. Its kind of like stepping out on the right foot so to speak.  We’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Shawn of Netherfriends and are thrilled to be sharing the stage with them on Thursday 1.6.11 @ Subterranean for GigMaven’s Official Launch Party in Chicago.  The evening will also include Chicago groups Dozens & Wolf In A Spacesuit.

Subterranean
1.6.11
8:30pm $8 21+
Tix here

So expect more posts, updates, and fresh songs in 2011 from us.

Cheers to a wonderful New Year. See you Thursday!

Love.

The Loneliest Monk

See you there

As 2010 comes to a close we are going out with a bang.  Our first music video for our debut album drops on Thursday, December 16, 2010.  Directed and produced by Rubbish Films with HYSTK and with major help from our Pilsen creative mafia, we are so proud to share it with you soon.

The shoot spanned just two days with some extra filming in between.  Locations took place near the Arts District in Pilsen as well as EP Theater.  iShootRockstars took some amazing stills of various scenes.  Everyone who had a hand in the video poured their heart and determination in it for us.  We are so thankful for the people and the experience.

Catch it on the 16th!

Love.

The Loneliest Monk

by iShootrockstars

by iShootRockstars

by iShootRockstars

by iShootRockstars

We can’t help but hear Christmas music in our heads this time of year.  While there are many different holiday tunes, Carol of the Bells remains one of our favorites.  Its a little eerie, wonderfully repetitive, and sets the mood during this perfect season.  We’ll be adorning the stage tonight at The Hideout with some garland and lights.  There will also be candy canes for your sweet tooth and we’ll be having a $5 t shirt special for that perfect gift that you need to give to someone.

Don’t forget, we go on first this evening!

The Hideout
1354 W Wabansia
9pm    $8

And here you go..

Happy Holidays.

UPDATE:
Click here to download the Merry Monkmass 2010 track for free!

Merry Monkmas.

Old man Winter is finally upon us here in Chicago.  Crossing our fingers and hoping it won’t be a harsh one.  I’m all for pretty snow but the severe cold is not where it’s at.

We spent an afternoon with Paul Gulyas at his studio (The Shams Band, All Things Lucid) and he helped us record our very first Christmas song Monk style.  We’ll be releasing it Thursday 12.2.10 for FREE! Be sure to follow us on Twitter so you will be one of the firsts to have a listen. It will be the perfect soundtrack for your shopping adventures.

We will also be debuting the song during our set on Thursday at The Hideout. Don’t forget, we kick off the evening at 9pm.

Love.

The Loneliest Monk

Happy Thanksgiving day to all!

Michelle is enjoying the sunny Southwest in Arizona and Miles is in Illinois keeping warm.  We cherish all of our friends and family. 

 Cheers to you on this lovely day. 

Love.

The Loneliest Monk

We took out the trusty calendar and discussed our tour route for next Spring 2011 over slices of yummy pizza last night.  Our adventure will most likely take place from 3/3/11-3/21/11.  We will be venturing out to new places like San Francisco, Des Moines, Salt Lake City, Memphis and Boulder to name a few. Of course the highlight will be SxSw and Michelle’s home town in Arizona. The Southwest trip spans over 6000 miles in under 3 weeks and judging from our last trip, will most likely fulfill our nomadic fantasies for a small point in time.

Dallas Sidewalks

Love.

The Loneliest Monk