Exclusively on MONO: Cassie Taylor, Live in Studio

Cassie sent me a song that she had recorded at Sound Pure. This has to be the start of a very promising career for Cassie. She truly is the daughter of a blues man.



"Cassie is the daughter of Blues Music Award winner Otis Taylor. And when Dad tapped her to be in his band four and a half years ago, it didn’t go down smoothly. “My dad came to me and said, ‘Cassie, if you ever want to get any money from me again, you’re going to learn to play bass, and you’re going to come with me this summer.’ I was like, ‘Oh, crap!’

“He turned on a lot of parental guilt, and I hated him for it,” she says. Cassie was in a middle school world of rock, punk, and underground hip hop. “I was the tallest person (in my class), and I had freckles and red frizzy hair, but to add (playing in my father’s band) on top of it was like a little much, and I learned how to keep my mouth shut.” Now, she looks back on her father’s invitation as the best parenting move he ever made."

Slack Key: Ain't no slacking...

Introducing Steven Espaniola:



It’s rare when an artist arrives on the scene offering a refreshing new spin on a traditional genre of music. Steven Espaniola is that artist. Raised in Aliamanu, Hawai’i and now residing in the California Bay Area, Steven is a multi-instrumentalist specializing in Ki Ho'alu (Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar), ‘Ukulele, Upright Bass, and Leo Ki'e Ki'e (Traditional Hawaiian falsetto). Of Hawaiian, Filipino and Spanish decent, his ethnicity is as diverse as his unique sound which preserves the integrity of the traditional with a flourish of the modern.

Through the years, Steven has had the pleasure of performing alongside some of Hawaii's top entertainers including Ho'okena, The Brothers Cazimero and Ledward Kaapana. Though an accomplished musician, Steven continues to grow as a humble student of Hawaiian music while contributing to perpetuate its legacy for future generations. Steven hopes to be a perennial mainstay in the Hawaiian music scene for many years to come.

His debut recording entitled Ho’omaka, “to begin”, features a mesmerizing collection of traditional and original Hawaiian mele recorded by Na Hoku Hanohano award winning producer Dave Tucciarone. Ho’omaka will be sure to transport the listener to the Hawaii of yesterday with soaring falsetto vocals, nahenahe slack key guitar and rhythmic ‘ukulele. Steven Espaniola’s highly anticipated and critically acclaimed debut album will carry you on a musical journey you won’t soon forget. In 2007, Steven's musical efforts earned him the recognition of "New Artist of the Year" at the Hawaii Music Awards.

As we dive deeper into the world of music, MONO will continue to feature artists who play from their heart and focus on bettering others through their journey.

For more information please visit www.stevenespaniola.com

Elle Macho

taken from Lake Fever Sessions.


Elle Macho "Sweet Pancello (the Ascending One)" from Lake Fever Sessions on Vimeo.

About:

Two words: Elle Macho. One is French, the other comes from Spain. The former is refined, well-educated and touched with a beauty mark; the latter is feared but respected and has a noticeably hairy back. Pulled from polarized ends of the gender spectrum and smashing right through any language barriers, these two words collide with such a force that the anticipation of impact tells you there’s gonna be a mighty explosion. If you take cover - and you probably should - just be sure to keep your ears piqued for a sound. That sound is Elle Macho and it wants to get sexy with your eardrums.

Butterfly Boucher, David Mead, and Lindsey Jamieson are Elle Macho. As a unit, they churn out stark, almost sinister pop tunes, brought to life through fuzzed-out bass melodies, thunderous guitar stabs and feverish push/pull drumming. Then there are those expansive boy-girl-boy vocal trade-offs and the sweetly satisfying three-part harmonies that require repeat listening.

High Octane Trio Bliss Pop Kickin' ASS. A genre hitting the States soon.

Blues Legend Otis Taylor lights up Anaheim

I was invited to watch one of America's blues legends Mr. Otis Taylor perform live in Anaheim during our week at NAMM 09'. I definitely did not want to miss this performance due to the fact that I haven't been to a good blues concert in quite a while. I was not disappointed at all.



Otis has a way of looking at your soul, and I mean it. His ice blue eyes have a way of peeking into your innards and his music inserts something extremely profound that wasn't there before. He takes you back and the sounds of blues resonates with you like a tuning fork pitched to B flat. The blues can be energetic at times, and melancholy the next. Otis' daughter Cassie injects a stream of youth into the music. Her bass lines, the anchor for the entire band. It's almost like a historical movement is being hung with the weight all upon youthful shoulders. It's a beautiful contrast.






It will also be our pleasure to invite Cassie to chime in every once in a while with her thoughts.

Premier Guitars inteviews MONO

This may be a little embarrassing, but it is definitely worth the exposure. I've been watching PG clips for years and it is a great way to check out gear at NAMM without having to walk 10 miles a day through all the NAMM traffic.

In this episode you will see the introduction to MONO's latest and greatest, the Dual Case. Well done Daniel (giggles).









NAMM 2009 pictures coming soon.

Katie Herzig @ Cafe Du Nord 1/22/09

I got in touch with Jordan Hamlin who is supporting Katie with her multi-instrumental skills. This girl can play. Guys be jealous now, she plays very choice and tasty lines. She also likes guitar gear...yo Jordan, move out to San Fran. It was a must to get these two some cases to use on the road as they are touring with Griffin House. So they called on us to provide them with some of our M80's. I later found out that Griffin is jealous. HA.

After sending some products, I received news that Katie was headed to SF and decided that this was going to be a perfect post-NAMM show. I was still a little fried from all the metal/mullets/slapping bass, so this was going to cleanse all that. The evening started with a little PR stuff and then a nice meal at Home (restaurant right down the street). Veggie burger with fries and a tall glass of Anchor Steam...can you get more SF than that??? The show was an early one, 7:30 so the kiddies could go home and sleep.



Lights down upstairs in the Swedish hall of Cafe Du Nord, and the evening started. I noticed the crowd beginning to gather a little bit more towards the middle of the set, but it was an intimate setting. Selections from her newest were quite ripe and the dynamics of Katie's set was up there with some of the best I've heard. I loved the vocal harmonies and how they played around with the cello parts echoing some of the lines. Jordan has a great way of warming up the sound with the tone from her guitar. She added great modulation especially during moments calling for fuller parts. The fact that she plays so many instruments (guitar, uke, accordion) only make the songs that much more dynamic. Katie's voice also has a great distinct quality which seems to sit on top of the instruments very nicely. They were having fun, I could tell.





The hit of the night for me was "Wish You Well" where the song gradually heightens and then ends with a beautiful drop. I likened the live take of this song and put it up there with the recording. Other notables were "I Want to Belong to You" which has a pleasant swinging quality to it. Makes me want to waltz, which none of you will ever see. Ever.



I always end these posts with...go see them!!! Seems kind of boring. Go SEE THEM!

cont'd.......Top 10 MONOLOG moments of 2008

So let's continue our adventures in 2008...

5. MONO joins FACEBOOK! - We know people who are completely addicted to Facebook, who update their status 300 times a day, superpoke everyone that they annoy the crap out of people, and those who tag anyone and everyone from photos they've scanned from high school. You know who you are. (Raises hand.)



4. Totimoshi in the studio - We were invited to hang with Oakland based Totimoshi for their album "Milagrosa" which was being recorded at Sharkbite studios. Page Hamilton was producing the album along with Toshi Kasai engineering the recording. This duo alone was worth getting a few minutes with let alone a whole 2 days. Go get yourself a copy of this album!





3. Earthday with Me'Shell - I will go out on a limb and say it. Me'Shell Ndegeocello is the world's greatest female bass player right now. There is no one funkier than her. She brings it all and her newest album proves that she pushes a lot of boundaries of music.




2. Discovering NOISETRADE - The idea is simple. Artists should be getting most of the money when they release their music. It is the artist who makes the music. Well Noisetrade is all about that, getting the most for everyone...fans and artists alike. We get awesome music, and the artists get new fans. Works for me.



1. Pancakes with Page - This was an event that surpassed our expectations. We hung out with Page Hamilton and ate brunch at one of his favorite spots in LA. The purpose of hanging with Page was to grab some photos to launch our new line of straps, and we all know that when 3 hungry guys get together to do a photoshoot...food will follow.

Top 10 MONOLOG moments of 2008

MONO launched @ NAMM 2007 and man what a year that was. Well it's another year, and so many exciting things happened here on the MONOLOG that we've got to do a top 10 list. We are also freaking out that NAMM 2009 is this week...here's to vanning it down 101. Anaheim here we come.

10. Von Iva - Babes that rock. They conquer at every facet of sound with no guitar in sight. Who doesn't love babes that rock? Schwing! All I have to say about that is "asphinctersayswhat"?



9. Denny's - It's a tradition. A grand slam will ward away any sloth-like slumberisms at NAMM. It's right down the street and it's usually packed with the NAMM crowd. This really should be at #1, but I was thinking about some "Moons Over My Hammy" right now that I decided to go for it.

From NAMM 2007

8. Alfonso's Breakin' & Poppin' Book - That's right. Almost 100 pages of steps that takes you through moves like, the King Tut, Centipede, and the Moonwalk. Because let's face it...we weren't all born dancers.



7. Guitar Hero THE GAME! - Nothing is better than playing fake guitar. We had the chance to play against the Roots. And I must say MONO ruled. There was some stiff competition from Owen Biddle, but he was no match for the heavy riffs of my fake strumming. (actually he kind of kicked our ass).



6. Grover kicks it - and then gets fixed, and then kicks it again to get fixed.





Count von Count says...

Stay tuned for the top 5...AFTER NAMM MUAHAHAHHAAHHAHAHHAHAHA

Derek Webb's top 5 albums...that are blowing his MIND!

Music is sharing and sharing is caring. Derek was kind enough to send me a list of albums that he considers mind blowing. I have to agree with his list. Here are 5 gems.

1. Joe Pug - Nation of Heat (extended play)
In the vein of Dylan, sounds a bit more like Jakob...and it really works.



2. Beck - Modern Guilt
This is his eighth studio album. I've always thought Beck was innovative and a bit chameleon like with his musical approach. This album has a ton of variety.



3. Holy Fuck - (extended play)
Just listen to "The Pulse", and you'll see why there is mind blowing happening.



4. Synthar - Evenings and Weekends
Check them out www.synthar.com
Folktronica.



5. NIN - the Slip
Trent Reznor is a genius. End of discussion.

Approaching LIFT OFF TO NAMM 09'!

Ok, NAMM is next week. Where did all that time go??? Has it really been a whole year since the last one? Oh and btw, HAPPY NEW YEAR! Wait, did that just fly by as well? So those of you who don't know what NAMM is, it's got to be the biggest North American music trade show. Imagine a whole convention center packed to the ceiling with amps, guitars, basses, keyboards, drums, dj stuff, pro audio, clarinets, violins, and triangles.

So let's step into the realm. This gives you an idea:



- First thing that I notice is the mullet. You'll find this fading hairstyle at NAMMdom.
- The second thing you will notice is the patterned button down shirt which is must have.
- The third thing is the schwag bag where you put all your freebies in. You've got to have one.
- And the last thing is the enormous architecture of Marshall amps, from plexi's to bluesbreakers.

In this illustration you will see something we call the "asshole" bass. Like when you show up to a session or jam and the bass player pulls out his a-hole 10 string which no one is allowed to touch. YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!



Next we have the not-quite-Terry Bozzio drum throne. The I hella want to be Neil Peart kit that somehow didn't make it past the Christmas list.



So if you find your way to Anaheim between January 15th and 18th, why not stop by our booth. We are located on the bottom floor, Hall E booth #1252. Bring your chops.