Kansas City’s Monta ride the capricious waves of modern life. In this whirlwind era of art creation, producing music becomes a daunting endeavour. Unburdened by traditional norms, however, Monta revels in the spontaneity of the moment, letting the shifting winds of evolution guide their course.
Monta — a band whose name symbolizes the aspiration to climb higher, is the brainchild of siblings Dedric and Delaney Moore; their music sculpts a dreamscape where synth-pop harmonies cavort amongst the astral whispers of psychedelia and the enchanting allure of pop rhythms. Krysztof Nemeth and Lucas Behrens craft intricate layers with their guitars, melding harmonies like skilled weavers. Concurrently, Matthew Heinrich stands as the rhythmic core, directing the flow and sparking unexpected musical flare-ups. Mikal Shapiro, the voice and wordsmith of Monta, ensures the rich melodies find grounding in captivating pop refrains.
This starry blend frequently welcomes contributions from their circle of friends and artistic allies, enhancing its already radiant tapestry. Now, Monta is rekindling their collaborative magic with Your Friend (Domino Records) for the kaleidoscopic cover of 1968’s “Mobius Trip.” The original, by psych-rock band H.P. Lovecraft, was an appeal to bridge divides and foster understanding amidst global chaos.
Wandering the streets, the lyrics embrace the world’s rhythm and pulse, entranced by the vibrant energies around them — it’s as if life’s grand show hides deeper truths, akin to secrets whispered behind theatrical curtains. As they saunter into a park, there’s a juxtaposition of fleeting time against the perennial nature around. Yet, a note of caution lingers — crossing life’s unseen boundaries might just ensnare one in the maze of their mind. And as the tale unfolds, there’s a poetic repetition, hinting at life’s repetitive dance.
Fast forward to 2023, and the song’s hippie-era message remains eerily prescient in ‘These Uncertain Times.’ Monta and Your Friend infuse it with a contemporary pulse, embedding it with electronic beats and vibrant synth layers to resonate with modern society. Your Friend’s ethereal vocals effortlessly intertwine with Monta’s rhapsodic blend of pulsating synth rhythms, ghostly disco tempos, and electric guitar orchestrations that draw strength from these delicate cosmic gaps. Echoes of MGMT, TV On The Radio, and Miike Snow are evident, as well.
Listen below:
Dedric remarks that the band is in the process of “simplifying the song down to what it needs.”
The band’s refined direction is birthing their most riveting works yet. Their tracks beckon us to sway away our shadows, offering solace in dance. By juxtaposing gloomy reflections with their vibrant post-punk flair, Monta becomes a beacon in understanding our turbulent reality. Amidst a dynamic cultural tide, there’s comfort in discovering constants. Monta stands as that enduring anchor, though ever-evolving in its essence.
Your Friend, né Taryn Blake Miller, hails from Winfield, Kansas, but now calls New York home. After dedicating two years to studying music at Cowley Community College, they shifted their academic focus, moving to Lawrence to delve into linguistics at the University of Kansas. Using the $1,000 they won from a KJHK battle of the bands event, Miller crafted their debut album, “Jekyll/Hyde.” By February 2014, they had secured a deal with Domino Recording Company.
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