Inu - Not For Anyone

Our good friend Count and his band Inu has just released their first LP, Not For Anyone.

Count has an impressive resume that spans from producing, mixing, musician, and engineering.  Some of his clients include DJ Shadow, Radiohead, New Order, Frank Sinatra, No Doubt, The Rolling Stones, Galactic, Zoe Keating and many more.

The release of Inu's Not For Anyone is the result from the three headed monster of sonic pleasure when Count, Tim Hingston (Halou), and Zoe Keating got together. Aside from being busy from projects and other schedules, this trio expands it's music into a realm of dream pop and hints of shoegaze. Keating uses her cello in ways that seem to transcend the instrument itself. It is a fantastic display of instrumentation that goes well with Count's vocal range and execution. Highlights of the album include "Stephen Colbert", "The Bailing", and my personal favorite "Appeal to the Masses".

I give up.

This kid is freaking ridiculous.  I haven't heard picking this clean in a long time from someone at the age of 13???

Friday I'm in Love.

Here's how the perfect day would start here at MONO HQ.

1. A hot cup of Philz coffee. Ether please, this stuff wakes you up upon nasal entry.

2.  Then we head over to Morning Glory Diner in Philly to fill up with glory cakes, challah french toast, frittatas, biscuits, and a breakfast pizza that will send you straight to dinner for your next meal.

3.  Head back to work to change into fat pants and take a listen to the newest Roots album.

4.  This gives us some inspiration, so we decide to hit the studio and mash out some tunes.  It gets loud, bring your earplugs...

5.  Back into work to discuss new designs and direction.  Tuba cases?

6.  Evening is about to set so it is definitely time for a brew.  We suggest Dogfish Head 90 minute IPA.  Mmmmmmm.

MONOplayer sighting: Steve Vai

Impromptu video of Steve Vai soloing while rocking our Betty guitar strap in Jet Black. Thanks for spotting this, Marcus!

Threads we like: BAPE

This is a section of our MONOlog called "threads we like".  We are always looking out for brands that share the same vibe as ours.  It's not hard to see why our eyes were drawn towards the aesthetics of BAPE.  Our good friend Lex Sadler was the first to introduce us to this brand.  I had never heard of this Tokyo based company before this introduction.

What intrigues me most about this company is how mysterious their line of clothing comes in and out of the seasons.  You'll see the same overall aesthetics, but every time you see the nostalgic qualities of the past, you come away with a fresh new piece.  Our designs were based on a similar culture of thinking.  Introduce something old, in a new way.  This makes for a timeless article.  It also doesn't hurt that you've got Kanye West and Kid Cudi supporting your bill.

MONO Flyby featured @ Summer NAMM 2010

About.com's very own DJ Ron Slomowicz did a write up about the Flyby:

"One of the questions I get asked the most is what kind of bag do I use to transport my laptop and gear when I travel as a DJ. I reviewed the UDG producer bag a few years and have been using and loving it ever since. The only problem is that since they lack US distribution - they are impossible to find (unless you pay international shipping.) The Mono EFX Flyby DJ Bag is the first DJ bag that is a suitable replacement. The bag is sturdy (with steel rivets) and can easily hold a 17" laptop, controller, soundcard, power supplies and cables. The laptop compartment zippers off so it can be sent through TSA checkpoints. I especially like how the handle is not on the zippered flap on the top. This means it isn't going to break off like the UDG Producer bag has been known to. If you are a computer DJ in the market for an airplane friendly DJ bag, the Flyby is definitely worth looking into."

Summer NAMM 2010!!!

Holla at us! This is our very first Summer NAMM and we are soooooooo excited. Brett is going to be chillin' at our booth this year, come by and say hi to him. Who else is going???

We are soooo ready to see this twice a year:

Rhymefest - El Che

El Che is out now! Check out some tracks.

MONO Sighting: David Byrne in Paris

One of our friends just sent this link of the band performing last year in Paris. This is a great clip of Strange Overtones off of David's recent album collaboration with Brian Eno, performed at Manu Katche's intimate One Shot Not sessions. We were stoked to see bassist Paul Frazier rocking one of our Betty Straps in this video. Check it out and soak in the supreme groove that this band creates live, in all of it's various parts:


For those of you who have experienced it, you know that David Byrne's live show is not to be missed. We made sure to catch them when they came through San Francisco in 2008. Here are some highlights...

5 Albums: Current Spins

1. Deftones - Diamond Eyes

This is the sixth studio album for this amazing band. The Deftones always manage to impress especially with their 80's darkwave tendencies. Another successful one here.



2. Wu Tang Clan - Chamber Music

There is nothing not to like. Wu Tang is back with this one. Ghostface, RZA, Inspectah Deck, U-God...not a full WTC roster but everything else is filled in with top notch hip hop moguls.



3. The xx - The xx

London based indie group. This one is really growing on us.



4. Soundpool - Mirrors In Your Eyes

This is the ultimate mixture of shoegaze and dance music. It's as if New Order and Jesus and Mary Chain had a kid and married My Bloody Valentine. You can't go wrong with this one for fans of gazer.



5. The Cure - Disintegration 20th Anniversary Edition (3 Disc)

I was so excited to finally get this one. This expanded 3 disc remaster includes instrumental versions of all tracks and a whole live experience as well. Definitely worth picking up.

NYC Journal: Day 3

This is the day we head home. We have a late afternoon flight, so packing in the schedule for today was really important. We have one of the most important meetings of the trip in the morning. Meeting with the legendary DJ Clark Kent for brunch. This is a pivotal meeting for us. Something big is about to happen. Clark loves the gear and we proceed to take a photoshoot after consuming eggs and french toast. This shoot was done right outside of Chelsea Diner.





Our last meeting of this trip is with one of our favorites, Brian Hardgroove, bassist and bandleader for Public Enemy. Brian is also a tremendously successful producer in the studio as well. We met up with him at the Manhattan Center where he mans the studio.



Brian gives us a tour of the entire Manhattan center with access to the Hammerstein ballroom and also shows us Liberace's piano. Random, but indeed one of the best moments of the trip.





Back to the hotel, grab our stuff and head back to the JFK. We're on our way home to SF.

NYC Journal: Day 2

Off to Dubspot for a design session. We need one of these in San Francisco. But before we hit DSpot we meet up with Daru for future project discussion. Can not disclose what's about to come. But it's going to be epic.



We grab some grub at a local diner. They serve Mud coffee, another something we don't have on the west coast. Bring some of that flavor over here. Daru lights up when we start getting into specifics about the secret project. Daru is also now using the Flyby and we need a proper photoshoot with him. It's pouring rain, and we decide to shoot this thing outside.



After getting food, it's off to Dubspot. We meet with Dan Giove and his staff. They've got some great suggestions on designs. It's always good to get feedback from instructors and DJ's who are on the go 24/7. It's closing in on 4pm and we have an appointment at 30 Rock with The Roots and Jimmy Fallon. We hit a cab and head over. We've got a little time before they hit the show, so we just chill in their dressing room/studio.



The Guest for that night is Matthew Fox and Jane Lynch, but all I can think about are the free cupcakes out in the lobby. Damn those looked good. After the show we hit this BBQ joint called Fette Sau in Brooklyn. Owen takes us there and we get more than a few pounds of meat. The meal is unbeatable, we highly recommend it.



And to cap off the night we grab a pint with our dear old bass friend Lex Sadler. He's been on a tear lately with Swiss Chris and various other projects. And then it's back to the hotel where we need some shut eye.

NYC Journal: Day 1

We land and it's off to the hotel, then some Thai food, and then straight to the Dojo. Curren$y and Stalley Live at the Dojo two nights later and we are heading back to San Fran that night. Really really bummed we are missing it. But we get to hang with Ski Beatz, Brady Watt, and Daru Jones who head up the band for that night.

Quick photoshoot with bassist Brady:



Then downstairs to chill during rehearsal. Ski Beatz on the MPC and microphone. Daru Jones laying beats. This can't get any better. Talent level in this room is off the charts.





Now off to meet up with John Stanier at Battles rehearsal space in Manhattan. They are about to hit the studio in a few days to track their new album. All the concepts have been worked out and are charted on huge sheets of poster paper on the wall of the space. A permission to photo this was granted, but we will respect the privacy of the band and not put it up just yet.



Then off to a photoshoot at the entrance of this historic practice warehouse.





After we grab a few beers and head back to the hotel. It's late.