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Artist
Monster (Alex Johnstone)
3+ albums
popfolkfemale vocalistindielos angeles
about
A Los Angeles-based indie-rock band consisting of Alexandra Johnstone, Vanessa Vivian Martinez, Jack Long, and Carl Harders. http://www.myspace.com/monstertheband Their music has been described as “quivering and ethereal, transmissions from a stormy, broken land.” Originally formed in 2001 by singer-guitarist Alexandra Johnstone, Monster quickly evolved from a solo project into a full band. Johnstone’s songs however, remained the focus of the group, as they played extensively throughout the Los Angeles area. The band recorded their early folk-by way of the Velvet Underground songs at home, and released them on CDRs themselves. 2003 saw the band embark on a tour of North America, and the release of their third self-released CD EP. In 2005, Johnstone entered the studio with drummer Paul Forney to record Monster’s Self-Titled full length for local label The New Black. The album drew comparisons to Devendra Banhart, Mojave 3 and Galaxie 500. Certain songs, such as “We Shot It”—hauntingly calm and composed of no more than a banjo, bass, and Johnstone’s striking vocals—seem inspired by American folk music while others such as “Alice Dupont” and “Golden Cloaked” are straight rock. The album has since sold out in the U.S., however the music eventually found its way to Europe, where it caught the attention of French label Le Jardin Colectif. The label repressed the album and the band toured France in April 2009 to promote the re-release. After numerous line-up changes, Monster
