New Single from The Loneliest Monk - 'Hiding Places'

By Sasha Geffen

Look who showed up on my Chicago Mixtape this week! Looks like The Loneliest Monk have been taking a turn for the epic in their songwriting. Their new single, "Hiding Places," flays any expectations of what a cello and drum duo might sound like. Shrill electric riffs build the track up to adrenaline-flooded highs. Cellist Michelle Morales takes a turn at the mic to provide teeth-gnashing vocals atop seething punk rhythms. It's a little bit Fiery Furnaces, a little bit HEALTH, and all-around an exciting direction for the Monk to be heading.

Over on side B, "He Is the Bad One" returns to a more recognizable place as slow acoustic layers knit together into a magnificent crescendo. The dark mystery of the track complements side A's unbuckled mania as it exhibits a refinement of the neo-Victorian art punk we've come to love.

The Loneliest Monk will be releasing the "Hiding Places" 7 inch on ruby red vinyl at Reggie's Rock Club this Friday, July 8th. You can purchase a $10 release package now, which includes a ticket to the show, an immediate digital download of the single and a copy of the 7 inch when you swing by to celebrate its release. But first, you can stream both sides of the single below.

This Thursday: Gigmaven's Chicago launch party with Netherfriends, The Loneliest Monk & more

Posted by Andrew

Musicians take note: After kicking around the East coast for a bit, Gigmaven has expanded to Chicago. Essentially, Gigmaven is the Google of booking shows. It is a free service that easily connects musicians directly to venues. So no more gruff phone calls or unreturned e-mails for all of the frustrated musicians out there. Although New York-based, the company has grown to include other major cities across the nation and is expecting to continue expanding. The site also sports a blog so you can stay up to date with their picks of artists to watch.

Gigmaven has teamed up with Heave Media to host a Windy City launch party tomorrow night, January 6th, at Subterranean featuring an impressively eclectic group of artists.

New Christmas track from The Loneliest Monk

Posted by Frank

Are the season's typical overplayed, overly saccharine Christmas tunes already driving you insane? Chicago art-rock duo The Loneliest Monk have a new holiday track that's a very welcome break from the norm. Their version of "Carol of the Bells" is dark and mysterious, thundering and twisting along with the hard-hitting cello and percussion work of Michelle Morales and Miles Benjamin, respectively. It's bound to make your Christmas party playlist much more interesting and is available for free download here:

 

 

More to check out:

Q&A with The Loneliest Monk

Q&A: The Loneliest Monk

Posted by Frank

It would be hard not to be enchanted by The Loneliest Monk, a Chicago-based art rock duo made up of real-life couple Michelle Morales and Miles Benjamin. Both musically and visually, the duo is marked by a compelling mystique that instantly sets them apart as something special. Listening to their recently-released self-titled LP is kind of like experiencing a series arty mini-movies, each one unfolding with suspense, emotion, and allure. Rounding out the sound's overall unique vibe is Morales's beautiful cello work, which paints the material with classical flair, and the ear-catching dissonance created by Benjamin's playful tiny piano and percussion. Check out this mp3 of one of the album's tracks, "You Don't Have to Try," for a taste, and pick up the full record here or stream it below.

Seeing the duo live, though, completes the picture. They are intent on delivering not just a concert, but an experience - complete with costumes, sets and drama. It's a wonderful break from the norm, and you can see it for yourself at their next local show on Friday, July 30 at the Empty Bottle with La Scala and Violetness (click here for more information and tickets). In advance of the show, the two took some time out to answer a few questions for Windy City Rock. Read on to find out what they had to say.

Weekend show picks: Silversun Pickups, The Loneliest Monk and more

The Loneliest Monk

As the long weekend gets rolling, it's time to start thinking about which live music options to check out over the course of the next four nights. There's no shortage of great stuff lined up, so read on for some picks, get out there and have a fantastic holiday!

Friday, July 2

- The Loneliest Monk at Lincoln Hall with Aleks Eva and Hollows - This Chicago couple, Michelle Morales and Miles Benjamin, put on a live show that breaks away from the norm by mixing their art rock/chamber pop with a "masquerade ball" aesthetic. The show will celebrate the release of their debut album. 9 p.m., $10, 18 and over. Tickets.

- Derek Nelson and the Musicians at the Empty Bottle with Pool of Frogs and Psychic Friends - Late last year Chicago-based folk-rocker Derek Nelson released his debut EP, Something Obscure (review here), a very impressive introduction to the singer-songwriter. He's since been singled out by many as one of the city's best up-and-coming acts and landed some notable shows, including a slot at the Taste of Chicago.   10 p.m., $7, 21 and over. Tickets.

- Mazes at Hideout with Hotel Brotherhood - Check out our recent post to catch up on all that's been going on with this great Chicago indie psych-pop band. 10 p.m., $8, 21 and over. Tickets.

Saturday, July 3

- Silversun Pickups at Aragon Ballroom with Against Me! and The Henry Clay People - The lauded L.A. alt-rockers released their latest album, Swoon, last year, and with support from notable punk acts Against Me! and The Henry Clay People, should bring a killer show. 6:30 p.m., $27.25, 17 and over. Tickets.

- The Heavy at Lincoln Hall with The Dirty Diamonds - These Brits have a wonderful style, blending indie rock with vintage soul sounds for a guaranteed good time. Be sure to arrive early for the Windy City's own Dirty Diamonds, who have a similar 1960s-meets-modern day aesthetic and are tons of fun. Click here for more on them. 10 p.m., $14, 21 and over. Tickets.

Sunday, July 4

- Tiny Vipers at the Empty Bottle with The Sight Below and The Spend - Celebrate the 4th with Sub Pop Record's Tiny Vipers (a.k.a Seattle-based songstress Jesy Fortino), who specializes in a dreamy, introspective sound as heard on her two full-lengths to date, 2007's Hands Across the Void and 2009's Life on Earth. 9:30 p.m. $8, $15 at door, 21 and over. Tickets. 

Monday, July 5 

- The Thermals at Millennium Park/Jay Pritzker Pavilion with Disappears - The next up in Millennium Park's summer series of free concerts, a set from this high energy indie/alt rock trio from Portland should serve as a wonderful way to end the long weekend. Chicago's own Disappears will start things off. 6:30 p.m. free, all ages.