this week’s opener (9/6) is:

Monophonics

🔮the vibe…

self titled ‘psychedelic soul music’ with a brass and retro aesthetic 🎷

🏡the roots…

San Francisco, California📍

📖 the story…

• monophonics formed in 2005 in San Francisco, starting as an instrumental jazz-funk band

• everything changed in 2010 when Kelly Finnigan joined, adding soulful vocals

  • their sound shifted toward psychedelic soul, blending retro '60s vibes with a modern twist

• in 2012, their breakthrough album came with In Your Brain, including their stand out cover of "Bang Bang"

• by 2015, monophonics were festival favorites, playing New Orleans Jazz Fest and BottleRock

  • over 400 live shows followed, building a nationwide fanbase with their rowdy, energetic soul sets

• in 2020, they dropped It’s Only Us, praised for its soulful ballads and vintage, lowrider vibes 💿

  • It’s Only Us made “Best Soul Albums” lists for its emotional depth and retro sound 🏆

• in 2022, they released Sage Motel, a concept album exploring dreamy, psychedelic soul even deeper

• meanwhile, Kelly Finnigan has produced for The Sextones, expanding monophonics’ influence in modern soul even more

  • he is also scheduled to release his third solo album titled ‘a lover was born’ on october 18 🗣️

  • fun fact: he put out a randomly v good soul christmas album called ‘a joyful sound’ in 2020

• these guys put on A SHOW, and still play A LOT of them

🎙️ the 🔝 performance…

it’s only us (the blues kitchen presents) ⬇️

• this one is worth the watch

• i just love the way this song builds 🔊

• highly suggest seeing these guys in one of the small clubs they’ve been known to play.

  • they may never blow up, but they are one of the best ‘under the radar’ acts around rn

🎧 the 🔝 songs…

it’s only us - spotify / apple music

hanging on - spotify / apple music

📇 the rest…

• touring in norcal rn - but larger tour coming next

• IG

📩the word…

spread it - and forward this to that one friend of yours…

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