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MONOPHONICS


BIO:
Psychedelic Soul, sometimes called Black Rock, is a sub-genre of Soul music, which mixes the characteristics of Soul with Psychedelic Rock. It came to prominence in the late 1960s and continued into the 1970s, playing a major role in the development of Soul and Funk music. Over the past seven years, Monophonics have staked their claim as one of California’s premier bands. Raised amid the Bay Area’s rich musical culture, Monophonics has proudly carried on the tradition of music native to their hometown, which flourished during the birth of psychedelia. Monophonics were formed in 2005; originally a instrumental ensemble comprised of guitarist Ian McDonald, bassist Myles O’Mahony, saxophonist Alex Baky, trumpeter Ryan Scott, and drummer Austin Bohlman, the band has recently added the dynamic soul vocals of keyboardist Kelly Finnigan. The result is a psychedelic soul & heavy funk sound, which harks back to the stylings of the late 60’s and early 70’s, all while keeping its feet planted in the present. As a mainstay of San Francisco venues such as The Independent, Brick and Mortar & Boom Boom Room, the Monophonics have created a national buzz and fervent local following, sharing the stage & bill with such names as Budos Band, Orgone, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Kings Go Forth, Soulive and many many more. Their touring schedule has brought their signature rowdy, hard-hitting live set to over 400 dates from California up to Motown and down to Louisiana establishing themselves as yearly residents at the legendary New Orleans Jazz Festival. The band has also played some of the major music festivals on the west coast including High Sierra, Joshua Tree, Blacksheep Family Reunion, and Las Tortugas. Already in 2012 the band has signed on with top booking agency Intrepid Artists Int’l and has seen their touring schedule triple fast and has helped get them get in big festivals like Wakarusa in Arkansas and the Portland Waterfront Blues Fest in Oregon. Other big news in 2012 is the bands new record “In Your Brain” which will be released and distributed worldwide by legendary label Ubiquity Records (ORGONE, Shawn Lee, Breakestra, Connie Price & The Keystones). It was recorded & produced by Ian McDonald and Kelly Finnigan in San Francisco and was mixed by Sergio Rios from ORGONE at Killion Sound in LA. With a transformation of the group in the last 18 months, they have matured and found our own sound. This new record sits on the fuzzy psychedelic side of Soul and Heavy Funk! Taking a cue from their San Francisco roots and greats like Norman Whitfield, George Clinton’s Funkadelic, David Axelrod and Sly Stone the group has found their path which has taken on a direction that focuses on great tones using analog equipment, a simpler and more spontaneous songwriting approach and trying to always catch a vibe that brings back thoughts of the 1969 psychedelic movement!

Latest Articles


The Sextones Announce U.S. Tour Dates in Support of New LP Photo The Sextones Announce U.S. Tour Dates in Support of New LP
by Michael Major - September 19, 2023

The tour includes three dates in California with psychedelic soul masters Monophonics: Santa Barbara on November 9th, Morro Bay on November 10th and San Francisco on November 11th. The band will also play a show in Los Angeles on November 7th with The Charities, one in their hometown Reno (NV) on No...

GA-20 Release Third Album 'Crackdown' Photo GA-20 Release Third Album 'Crackdown'
by Michael Major - September 09, 2022

Acclaimed blues, roots-rock, and country revival trio GA-20 are thrilled to release their third album Crackdown, available everywhere now via Karma Chief Records / Colemine Records. To ring in the release, the band has shared album highlight 'Fairweather Friend.' Catch them on tour this fall with th...

Blondie, Mac DeMarco, Tori Amos & More Confirmed For Inaugural 'Band Shirt Day' Photo Blondie, Mac DeMarco, Tori Amos & More Confirmed For Inaugural 'Band Shirt Day'
by Michael Major - August 16, 2022

A celebration of the iconic “band tee” and a global fundraising initiative, participating artists include Blondie, Mac DeMarco, Tori Amos, Sargent House, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, The Maine, Tragically Hip, The Format, Urge Overkill, Flipper, Monophonics, The Estate of Jóhann Jóhannsson & mo...

VIDEO: Monophonics Release 'Sage Motel' Video Photo VIDEO: Monophonics Release 'Sage Motel' Video
by Michael Major - May 19, 2022

The world's premier psychedelic soul band, Monophonics cordially invites you to attend the grand re-opening of the once thriving, once vibrant establishment, the legendary Sage Motel. A place where folks experience the highs and lows of human existence. A place where big dreams and broken hearts liv...

Monophonics Release New Full-Length 'Sage Motel' Photo Monophonics Release New Full-Length 'Sage Motel'
by Michael Major - May 13, 2022

Today, Bay Area-based Monophonics released their new full-length Sage Motel via Colemine Records. The world's premier psychedelic soul band, Monophonics cordially invites you to attend the grand re-opening of the once thriving, once vibrant establishment, the legendary Sage Motel....

Monophonics Release New Single 'Love You Better' Photo Monophonics Release New Single 'Love You Better'
by Michael Major - April 12, 2022

Today, Bay Area-based Monophonics released “Love You Better,” the second single from their upcoming full-length Sage Motel. Sage Motel, Monophonics' fifth studio album since 2012, tells its story. Once again produced by brilliant bandleader Kelly Finnigan, the album captures a timeless sound that bl...

Monophonics Announce New Album 'Sage Motel' Photo Monophonics Announce New Album 'Sage Motel'
by Michael Major - March 15, 2022

The world's premier psychedelic soul band, Monophonics, cordially invites you to attend the grand re-opening of the once thriving, once vibrant establishment, the legendary Sage Motel. The album announcement comes with a video for the first single “Warpaint.”...

Kelly Finnigan Drops New Holiday LP 'A Joyful Sound' Nov. 24 Photo Kelly Finnigan Drops New Holiday LP 'A Joyful Sound' Nov. 24
by Sarah Jae Leiber - October 20, 2020

A Joyful Sound is a future soul classic with all the elements of a classic R&B record, but simply with a joyful holiday lean....

The Original Misfits Join Psycho Las Vegas 2019 Lineup Photo The Original Misfits Join Psycho Las Vegas 2019 Lineup
by Tori Hartshorn - July 02, 2019

The Original MISFITS featuring original singersongwriter Glenn Danzig and original bassist Jerry Only, ride again in Las Vegas! The legendary band returns to Sin City to headline PSYCHO LAS VEGAS 2019 on Saturday, Aug. 17 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. This all-in move is no bluff, PSYCHO LAS VE...

Kelly Finnigan Hits The Road In Support Of New Soul LP Out Via Colemine Records Photo Kelly Finnigan Hits The Road In Support Of New Soul LP Out Via Colemine Records
by Tori Hartshorn - May 17, 2019

Kelly Finnigan, the lead singer of Bay Area-based indie-soul auteurs Monophonics, has just released his debut solo album, The Tales People Tell, via Colemine Records. Over the course of the album's 10 new, original songs, Kelly channels a multitude of influences that reflect a lifetime immersed in t...

PSYCHO LAS VEGAS Announces Daily Lineup and Single Day Tickets On Sale Photo PSYCHO LAS VEGAS Announces Daily Lineup and Single Day Tickets On Sale
by Kaitlin Milligan - May 14, 2019

The biggest names in metal and rock come together this August 16-18 for PSYCHO LAS VEGAS 2019 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. The daily lineup for this celebration of rock n' roll will feature everything fans have come to know and love. Single day tickets go on sale today at 10 AM PST for $109 pl...

Megadeth and Opeth Join Electric Wizard to Headline PSYCHO LAS VEGAS 2019 at Mandalay Photo Megadeth and Opeth Join Electric Wizard to Headline PSYCHO LAS VEGAS 2019 at Mandalay Bay This August
by Tori Hartshorn - April 11, 2019

PSYCHO LAS VEGAS continues to make waves as it announces its full artist lineup for this year's festival at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino August 16 – 18, 2019. From Opeth's only U.S. performance of 2019 and Megadeth performing their only Vegas show of the year, to the return of fan favorite Electri...

Lyrics Born Releases 10th Album QUITE A LIFE ft. Del The Funky Homosapien, Aloe Blacc Photo Lyrics Born Releases 10th Album QUITE A LIFE ft. Del The Funky Homosapien, Aloe Blacc, Gift of Gab
by Tori Hartshorn - September 14, 2018

As the first Asian-American solo rapper to perform at Lollapalooza and Coachella and to release a greatest hits record, LYRICS BORN has broken through countless cultural, racial and musical barriers to cement his illustrious career. Today he becomes the first Asian-American solo rapper to release a ...

Slow & Steady Records Announces The Release of Danny Lubin-Laden's Self-Titled Debut Photo Slow & Steady Records Announces The Release of Danny Lubin-Laden's Self-Titled Debut Album
by Tori Hartshorn - September 14, 2018

Slow & Steady Records announces the re-release of Berkeley-based trombonist Danny Lubin-Laden's self-titled solo album. The album encapsulates the experiences from Lubin-Laden's eight years of living in Brooklyn, and captures the full range of his musical influences, from the United House of Prayer ...

Slow & Steady Records Announces Release of SLUGish Ensemble's 'An Eight Out of Nine' Photo Slow & Steady Records Announces Release of SLUGish Ensemble's 'An Eight Out of Nine'
by Sarah Jae Leiber - September 11, 2018

Slow & Steady Records announces the release of SLUGish Ensemble's debut album, An Eight Out Of Nine. Seeking musical therapy as a relationship was coming to end, SLUGish leader Steven Lugerner revisited a selection of “go-to” nostalgic recordings by many of his favorite artists. “I started to make a...

Steven Lugerner's Slow & Steady Records Announces Release of SLUGish Ensemble's An Ei Photo Steven Lugerner's Slow & Steady Records Announces Release of SLUGish Ensemble's An Eight Out of Nine
by Tori Hartshorn - August 29, 2018

Slow & Steady Records announces the release of SLUGish Ensemble's debut album, An Eight Out Of Nine. Seeking musical therapy as a relationship was coming to end, SLUGish leader Steven Lugerner revisited a selection of “go-to” nostalgic recordings by many of his favorite artists. “I started to make a...

Outside Lands Unveils Gastromagic and Cocktail Magic Lineup Photo Outside Lands Unveils Gastromagic and Cocktail Magic Lineup
by Macon Prickett - July 26, 2018

Outside Lands pulls back the curtain on two of its most hotly anticipated culinary attractions – GastroMagic andCocktail Magic. A riotous romp for the senses, both experiences will take Outside Lands fans on a fantastic voyage featuring food, music, comedy, dancing, and cocktails. GastroMagic's full...

Lyrics Born to Release 10th Album QUITE A LIFE September 14th Photo Lyrics Born to Release 10th Album QUITE A LIFE September 14th
by Macon Prickett - July 12, 2018

As the first Asian-American solo rapper to perform at Lollapalooza and Coachella, and to release a greatest hits record, LYRICS BORN has broken through countless barriers to cement his illustrious career. Now, on September 14th, he will be the first Asian-American solo rapper to release a 10th album...

The Sextones Announce First Ever European Tour Photo The Sextones Announce First Ever European Tour
by Macon Prickett - July 10, 2018

The Sextones are preparing to venture into new territory, bringing their highly acclaimed Moonlight Vision across the globe with their first extensive European tour. Over the last few years, The Sextones have shared stages with some of the industry's mainstay artists like Macy Grey, Charles Bradley,...

Outside Lands Single Day Lineup Announced, Single Day Tickets On Sale Thursday, June Photo Outside Lands Single Day Lineup Announced, Single Day Tickets On Sale Thursday, June 7
by Macon Prickett - June 05, 2018

Another Planet Entertainment, Superfly, and Starr Hill Presents are thrilled to share the single day lineups for Outside Lands 2018, featuring The Weeknd, Odesza and Beck on Friday, Florence + The Machine, Future and Bon Iver on Saturday and the festival coming to a close on Sunday night with Portug...

Monophonics to Release 'Mirrors' EP This February Photo Monophonics to Release 'Mirrors' EP This February
by Caryn Robbins - January 22, 2018

Monophonics are back with a six-song EP that fuses the complimentary and explosive soul, rock and funk influences, proving themselves to be the rightful inheritors of the Bay Area's impressive psychedelic soul sound....

Crowd Company Announce New Album, Drop Funky New Single 'Saw You Yesterday'
by Caryn Robbins - September 12, 2017

Crowd Company, the critically acclaimed 8-piece funk soul outfit, has confirmed details on their upcoming album Stone & Sky, due out October 20th on the newly minted indie imprint Vintage League Music...












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