Mona (band)

Mona

Left to right: Jordan Young, Vincent Gard, Nick Brown and Zach Lindsey in Dayton, Oh, 2011
Background information
Origin Dayton, Ohio, Bowling Green, Kentucky (now based in Nashville, Tennessee)
Genres Alternative rock, indie rock
Years active 2007 – present
Labels Zion Noiz Recordings
Island Records
Mercury Records
Website www.monatheband.com
Members Nick Brown
Vince Gard
Zach Lindsey
Jordan Young

Mona is an American rock band from Dayton, Ohio and Bowling Green, Kentucky who now live in Nashville, Tennessee. The band rose to fame appearing as part of the BBC's Sound of 2011 poll; which was revealed on 5 December 2010.[1] The band were also crowned the Brand New for 2011 title at the MTV Awards.[2] Their debut album was released on May 16, 2011 in the UK through Zion Noiz Recordings/Island Records[3] and was released on February 28, 2012 in the US through Zion Noiz Recordings/Mercury Records.

Career

Early Career (2007 – 2009)

Mona, consisting of Nick Brown (lead vocals, guitar), Vince Gard (drums, percussion), Zach Lindsey (bass, backing vocals) and Jordan Young (guitar, backing vocals), originated from Dayton, Ohio and Bowling Green, Kentucky respectively, though they are now based in Nashville, Tennessee. Brown revealed the band's name refers to his grandmother, Mona Brown.[4] Formed in 2007,[5]

In April 2009, Brown was introduced to Saul Galpern, creator of Nude Records by a mutual friend. Soon after their online introduction, Galpern flew to Nashville to meet the band. Having been very impressed by them, Galpern signed a management contract with the band which led to a record deal with Island Records and Mercury Records in September 2010.[6]

Mona (2010 – present)

Nick Brown at the Eurockéennes de Belfort 2011

On November 20, 2010, the band appeared on the BBC's Later... with Jools Holland, in which they performed the songs "Teenager", "Listen to Your Love" and "Lines In the Sand".[7] On December 6, 2010, it was revealed that Mona had been longlisted on the BBC's Sound of 2011 poll, which predicts artists that will become successful in the year ahead. It was also revealed that month the band had made the longlist of MTV Awards' Brand New for 2011. On February 3, 2011, it was announced Mona had won the title.[2]

The band released their debut single "Listen to Your Love" in the United Kingdom on September 13, 2010 through their own independent record label Zion Noiz Recordings.[8] Second single "Trouble On the Way" was then released through Zion Noiz Recordings/Island Records on December 13, 2010.[9] Mona released their third single "Teenager" on February 7, 2011.[6] Their fourth and final UK single, "Shooting the Moon", was released on July 31, 2011.[10]

In February 2011 Mona announced the release date of their self-titled debut album which was self-produced by Nick in their basement in Nashville and mixed by producer Rich Costey (Foo Fighters, Muse, Arctic Monkeys).

European album release (2011)

The official album artwork was released on March 21, 2011.[11]

Mona was released in the United Kingdom on May 16, 2011. They also released the "Listen to Your Love - EP" the same day. Following the album's release the band embarked on a world-spanning tour which saw them play most of the world's largest and most prestigious festivals; including Glastonbury Festival and Reading and Leeds Festival in the UK, Summer Sonic Festival in Japan and Splendour in the Grass in Australia. As well as touring the festival circuit they supported fellow Nashville band Kings of Leon on selected dates of their summer tour, including shows at Slane Concert near Slane, County Meath, Ireland on May 28, 2011 and Hyde Park, London on June 22, 2011.

They also headlined their own tour of the United Kingdom and Europe in the summer and early fall of 2011 culminating in a sold out show at London's O2 Shepherds Bush Empire.

U.S. album release (2012 – present)

Mona released their debut album in the United States on February 28, 2012. On that day they made their national television debut on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno performing "Lean Into The Fall", they also appeared on the Conan show on March 2, 2012, playing lead US single "Lean Into The Fall".

Since, they have gone on to play a headline tour of the United States and are currently supporting Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds on tour in the United States.

Torches & Pitchforks (2013)

On 12 June 2013 Mona announced that they will release their second album, Torches & Pitchforks, on Mercury Records July 23. The band also announced new tour dates, starting in Columbus, OH on July 7.[12]

Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions
UK
[13]		 US
Heat.
[14]
Mona 39 20
Torches & Pitchforks
  • Released: July 23, 2013
  • Label: Mercury Records
— —

Singles

Year Single Album
2010 "Listen To Your Love" Mona
"Trouble On the Way"
2011 "Teenager"
"Listen To Your Love" (reissue)
"Shooting the Moon"
2012 "Lean Into the Fall"
2013 "Goons (Baby I Need It All)"

Music videos

Year Title Director Album
2010 "Listen To Your Love" Jordan Noel Mona
"Trouble On the Way" Jordan Noel
2011 "Teenager"
"Listen To Your Love" (reissue)
"Shooting the Moon"
2012 "Lean Into the Fall" Jordan Noel
2012 "Lines In The Sand" Jordan Noel

Band members

Current members

Awards and Nominations

Year Organisation Nominated work Award Result
2010 BBC Sound of 2011 Mona Sound of 2011[1] Nominated
MTV Awards Mona Brand New for 2011[2] Won

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sound of 2011 - Longlist BBC, Retrieved 2010-12-07.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 MTV - Brand New for 2011 - Artist Profile: Mona, Retrieved 2011-01-18.
  3. ↑ Mona - Debut Album - Release Date Amazon, Retrieved 2011-01-28.
  4. ↑ NME - Bands for 2011 - Mona NME, Retrieved 2011-01-28.
  5. ↑ Mona - MySpace Profile, Retrieved 2011-01-28.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Mona sign to Island and Mercury' Crazed Hits, Retrieved 2011-06-10.
  7. ↑ Jools Holland - Tracklisting - Series 37; Episode 10 BBC, Retrieved 2011-01-28.
  8. ↑ Mona - Debut Single - 'Listen tTo Your Love' Amazon, Retrieved 2011-01-28.
  9. ↑ Mona - Second Single - 'Trouble On the Way' Amazon, Retrieved 2011-01-28.
  10. ↑ Amazon, Retrieved 2012-01-06
  11. ↑ Mona: Album Art Revealed, New Video Retrieved 2012-01-06
  12. ↑ Retrieved 2013-22-06
  13. ↑ "MONA | Artist". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2013-12-08.
  14. ↑ http://www.billboard.com/artist/311684/mona/chart

External links