Sydney’s Monks of Mellonwah Touring U.S.A

Monks of Mellonwah are touring the U.S.A for the third time.

monksofmellonwah

Full tour dates are:

Passport Approved (A&R Worldwide Tour, Monks of Mellonwah headlining with guests Lime Cordiale, Hamish Anderson & Giorgi + Leo )
June 6th – Last Exit Live, Phoenix, 9PM
June 9th – Viper Room, West Hollywood, 8 PM
June 10th – The Standard, Fresno, 8 PM
June 11th – The Atrium @ The Catalyst, Santa Cruz, CA , 9 PM
June 12th – The Boardwalk, Orangevale, CA, 8PM
June 13th – Doug Fir, Portland, OR, 8 PM
June 14th – Bodega Nightclub, Reno, NV, 8 PM
June 17th – Crocodile, Seattle, WA, 8 PM

w/Scott Stapp
June 20th – Chameleon Club, Lancaster, PA
June 21st – The Emporium, Patchogue, NY
June 24th – Latitude Live, Pittsburgh, PA
June 25th – The Chance, Poughkeepsie, NY
June 28th – The Machine Shop, Flint, MI
June 29th – Buster’s Billiards & Backroom, Lexington, KY
July 1st – Gillioz Theatre, Springfield, MO
July 2nd – Neumeier’s Rib Room & Beer Garden, Fort Smith, AR

Band: Monks of Mellonwah (Sydney, NSW)
Style: Alternative, Indie, Progressive, Electronic, Pop
Similar to: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Muse, John Frusciante, Incubus, Black Keys
Release: Turn the People (March 7, 2014)
Label: Gatcombe Music Pty Ltd
Members: Vikram Kaushik (vocals), Joe de la Hoyde (backing  vocals/guitar), John de la Hoyde (bass), Josh Baissari (drums)

Bio:
The Monks of Mellonwah are a band from Sydney, Australia whose music displays a masterful and unique blend of intense space, driving riffs and sharp metaphors.

The Monks of Mellonwah consist of; lead vocalist Vikram Kaushik,  guitarist Joseph de la Hoyde, as well as drummer Joshua Baissari and  bassist John de la Hoyde. The creative collision of these four musical  personalities yields a timeless, yet inimitable array of alternative rock, progressive rock and cinematic-themed scores.

Together for only a little over four years, the Monks of Mellonwah  have catapulted quickly into success on a global scale. In addition to  worldwide airplay, the band has gleaned over four-hundred press reviews – as well as syncs and licensing – from the likes of  Bunim/Murray Productions, MTV Networks, Discovery Channel, and FOX  Sports. In addition, the band has already toured the U.S.A, Singapore  and Australia. “M.O.M” were voted “Best Indie Rock Band” in the 2012  Artists in Music Awards and placed as the “International Rock Artist  of the Year” at the 22nd Annual LA Music Awards in 2012.

The Monks of Mellonwah stand more as a quadrangle than a quartet, with  each facet reflecting their cumulative creative goal; to deliver  all-original music in its purest, untainted form. Stylistically, the  band has evolved dramatically over a short period of time, impossible  to be boxed into any genre. There’s a variety of subtle hints of  musical influence that arise from each band member, which include Led  Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, as well as bands such as Muse and Red Hot  Chili Peppers.

Brought together in October of 2009, it was the inherent and  collective love of performing live that melded the members Monks of  Mellonwah into what they are today. They’ve already had the  opportunity to perform at venues around the world which include the  world-famous Whiskey A Go Go and The Avalon Theatre in Los Angeles,  The Mercury Lounge in New York, as well as Sydney Australia’s The  Metro Theatre and The Factory Theatre.

With tours already under their belt in the U.S.A and Asia, the Monks  of Mellonwah continue to blossom. “During the last three years, we’ve  developed both as individual musicians – but more importantly –  collectively as a band also,” adds de la Hoyde. To date, “M.O.M” has  released three EPs, beginning in 2010 with Stars Are Out, a five-track  debut that featured the single “Swamp Groove” – which became the  group?s first popular single on Australian radio. In 2011, they  followed the classic-rock and retro sounds of Stars Are Out with an  edgy alt-rock single release entitled, “Kyoto.”

In 2012 it was the release of Neurogenesis, a five-track EP, which led  to multiple licensing agreements, and press exposure via the EP’s title track as well as the single, “Neverending Spirit.” In 2013, showing their diversity in style, the Monks of Mellonwah released a  three-track cinematic trilogy entitled Sky and the Dark Night. The  film-inspired project epitomizes what “M.O.M” is all about –  interweaving a matrix of multiple genres into one track with an eight minute run time.

In 2013 began release their first full-length album, Turn the People  in three-part volumes with the album in its entirety to be released in March, 2014. Volume 1: “Ghost Stories” was released in June 2013,  followed by Volume 2: “Afraid to Die” in October. The final Volume 3:  “Pulse” is scheduled for release, along with the full album, in March,  2014. Grammy-winner producer and sound engineer Keith Olson (Fleetwood  Mac, Ozzy Osbourne, Grateful Dead) produced five of the tracks on the  upcoming Turn the People album. In 2014, the band plans on touring  both Europe and the U.S.A. in support of the album.

The Monks of Mellonwah set out musically not to repeat past styles, yet rather to pave the future for alternative rock. In doing so, they  take the preeminent sounds of 70s psychedelic rock and 90s alternative  – and blend it into something fresh and new.

Monks of Mellonwah | Music Profile

monksofmellonwahMonks Of Mellonwah Release ‘Ghost Stories’ Single

The year 2013 has so far shaped up to be a busy and successful year for Australian Alternative Rock band the Monks of Mellonwah. After 3 EP’s since 2009, the band has recently departed with their 3rd release, ‘Sky And The Dark Night’ and is now celebrating their new partnership with company A&R Worldwide (Muse, Coldplay) with the release of single ‘Ghost Stories’. Ghost Stories features the single ‘Ghost Stories’ and two new tracks fast-tracked from their debut album ‘Turn The People’, which is set for release in late 2013.

The band has been described as the ‘birth child’ of bands such as Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin, noted as their primary influences. Their music includes hard-hitting Alternative Rock combined with elements of space and electronica, and their forthcoming releases are a testament to this. Their most recent EP, ‘Sky And Dark Night’ explores elements of classism and film music, noting Hans Zimmer as their primary inspiration for it. The three track EP takes the listener on an epic journey of discovery and musically marks the continued evolution of the band into a darker, more intense exploration of their combined talents and influences.

The Sky And The Dark Night Trilogy was released in March and has since been reviewed by over 50 blogs worldwide, being described as “nothing less than symphonic artistry in its purest and rawest form? (Limerence Magazine 2012). The 8-minute long Trilogy has also enjoyed significant airplay in its entirety across a number of radio stations in Australia and NSW, and to celebrate it’s success, the band has just released the Trilogy on limited edition 10” vinyl.

The ‘Ghost Stories’ release coincides with the bands’ recent selection to play at Singapore?s acclaimed Music Matters Festival, as well as their involvement with A&R Worldwide. Having won respective awards for ‘Best International Rock Band’ and ‘Best Indie Rock Band’ at the LA Music Awards and AIM Music Awards in 2012, and following an East & West Coast tour of the US, the recent deal with A&R Worldwide marks the bands continual push at breaking into US and International Markets. The release of a full-length album in late 2013 will also see the band doing further touring both nationally and internationally.

 

The Monks of Mellonwah are a four-piece alternative/indie rock band based in Sydney, Australia. The band has toured nationally and traveled to the United States twice, winning awards for Best Indie Rock Band (2012 AIM Awards) and Best International Act (2012 LA Music Awards). Their two EP’s and subsequent music videos have gained them worldwide critical acclaim, airplay on MTV’s network and extensive radio play.

Strongly influenced by rock artists such as Led Zeppelin, Muse, Pink Floyd and the Chili Peppers, the Monks’s music displays a masterful and unique blend of intense space, driving riffs and sharp metaphors. As their sound evolved, so did their love for both classic rock and modern progression/experimentation.

Their first EP, “Stars Are Out” found the Monks receiving significant radio play across Australia on community radio. The band released their first music video “Swamp Groove” in April 2011 and enjoyed airplay on ABC’s music program RAGE. “Swamp Groove” also claimed first prize at a music video night at “Harold’s Shorts” short film festival, receiving great reviews and the award from legendary music historian and personality Glenn A Baker.

The Monks released their second EP “Neurogenesis” in May, 2012, along with a new video for “Neverending Spirit”, to an overwhelming response. In addition to international and national radio play, College Radio in the US and Canada, “Neurogenesis” received hundreds of reviews and features worldwide, including coverage on MTV, Big Takeover Magazine, CMJ, Kings of A&R, Noise 11 and Tonedeaf. The media attention earned them licensing spots through a number of production companies in the US including Discovery Networks and Bunim Murray.  The video for “Neverending Spirit” also received high profile exposure in the US including MTV Networks. The College Music Journal (CMJ) featured the track on their MixTape for May along with a feature of the band in their magazine.

The Monks successfully toured for “Neurogenesis” throughout Australia in Summer 2012 working with Tone Deaf, and continued their outreach with a United States tour organized by President Entertainment.

Their debut full-length is currently in production, partly with legendary producer Keith Olsen and partly self-produced. The Monks have also signed a development deal with A&R Worldwide (Adele, Muse, Coldplay). Intensive touring plans are in the works for both Australia and the United States in 2013.

On April 1, 2013, the band released the progressive and experimental EP/single “Sky and the Dark Night”, an emotionally charged, heavy offering showcasing the band’s new direction that was hinted at with “Neurogenesis”. It was released on limited edition vinyl and digital only.

Now the Monks have taken a turn again with “Ghost Stories”, truly showcasing the bold new sound they’ve developed over the past year of touring, writing and studio work. Rock, electronic, and strong pop sensibility infuse this offering, meant as a preview of their forthcoming full-length.

AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES (Queensland and other dates will be announced shortly. The tour will be 16 stops.):

29th June – Live @ The Brewhouse, Kings Street Wharf, Sydney, NSW
2nd  July – Revolver Upstairs – Prahan, Melbourne, VIC
3rd   July – Noise 11 – Live acoustic performance + interview, Melbourne, VIC
3rd   July – Grace Darling Melbourne, VIC
4th   July – Tote – Melbourne, VIC
12th July – The Fitzroy, Windor, NSW

3rd   August -The Annandale, Sydney, NSW
14th August – Yours & Owls – Woolongong, NSW
15th August – The Australian Brewery, Rouse Hill, NSW

Band: Monks of Mellonwah (Sydney, NSW)
Style: Indie, Alternative, Progressive
Similar to: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Muse, John Frusciante, Incubus, Black Keys
Release: Ghost Stories (June 29, 2013)
Members: Vikram Kaushik (vocals), Joe de la Hoyde (backing vocals/guitar), John de la Hoyde (bass), Josh Baissari (drums)
Websites: www.monksofmellonwah.com, www.facebook.com/monksofmellonwah, http://www.youtube.com/user/MonksofMellonwah, www.twitter.com/monksofmellonwah

Production: Produced, Recorded and Programmed by Joseph de la Hoyde at Aston Villa Studios 2012/13, Track 2 drums recorded at Studio At The Palms, Las Vegas, by Keith Olsen and Rob Katz and Assisted by Kevin Luu 2012

Monks of Mellonwah | Music Profile

Band: Monks of Mellonwah
Location: Sydney, NSW
Members: Will Maher (vocals), Joe de la Hoyde (backing vocals/guitar), John de la Hoyde (bass), Josh Baissari (drums)
CD: “Neurogenesis” EP (Advance release May 24, 2012)
Production: Jeff Bova (Michael Jackson, Billy Joel), Ryan Miller (John Frusciante, Flea), Howie Weinberg (Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, RHCP)
Websites: www.monksofmellonwah.com, www.facebook.com/monksofmellonwah, www.twitter.com/monksofmellonwah
Style: indie rock, alternative rock
Similar to: The Black Keys, Muse
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_8crOOSRu0

News release: Coming off their big win for “Best Indie Rock Artist” at the Artists in Music Awards 2012, and being nominated for best International Artist in the LA Music Awards, Sydney’s buzz act Monks of Mellonwah are now ready to release their new EP “Neurogenesis”. Contributing to the new EP were Grammy Award winning producer Jeff Bova (Michael Jackson, Billy Joel), Ryan Miller (John Frusciante, Flea, The Ruminators) and renowned engineer Howie Weinberg (Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Red Hot Chili Peppers).

Neurogenesis features 4 alternative rock tracks which explore a range of concepts from Oppenheimer and the creation of the atomic bomb in “Neurogenesis” to the longing for life in “Neverending Spirit”. Each track has something to offer and is demonstration of the Monks of Mellonwah’s evolution, both in terms of maturity of song writing and musical and vocal prowess.