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“A cello and a drumset usually isn’t enough for a band to get started. But singer/cellist/keyboardist Michelle Morales and drummer/vocalist Miles Benjamin create plenty of artful drama out of their unusual composition, adding extra theatrical layers with onstage costumes that Morales calls 'Victorian meets Goth meets vintage.' 'Since people are paying money,' she says, 'We may as well give ‘em something to look at that’s interesting.' Good policy." [ full post ]

“The Loneliest Monk: Despite its name, this is actually a two-person venture. Michelle Morales (cello/vocals) and Miles Benjamin (drums/vocals), who dress for performances as though they’re en route to a masquerade ball, made their debut in August at the Hideout and have since gone on to write an album’s worth of material with an eye on a spring release. Morales, an accomplished cellist, has performed with everyone from Kanye West to Phillip Glass, and the band has a flair for the dramatic. Songs often sound as though they’re cobbled together from old ghosts and memories.” - Andy Downing

"An indie-rocker and a master cellist have teamed up into a guy-girl duo that present something a little different than your typical rock show. A little avant-garde, a little classical and a little rock make for a pleasing, ambient and somewhat haunting listening experience... He is a member of local indie rock band All Things Lucid and runs Kilo Records. She is a master cellist who has played with Phillip Glass, Kanye West, and even the Foo Fighters in their 2008 Grammy Awards performance. Together, Miles Benjamin and Michelle Morales form the experimental duo The Loneliest Monk. Their cool, ambient music is a nice departure from the standard 4-piece rock or jazz group. It's little bit rock, a little bit classical, a little jazz infused, and all intriguing." - Michelle Meywes [ full post ]

"We pay homage to the closest sounding instrument to the human voice as we present a night of cellos. Combining the classical training of master cellist Michelle Morales and local indie poster Miles Benjamin the Chicago duo THE LONELIEST MONK play twinkling pop that creates a “sort of cool, haunting, and sexual air” and their live show is spiced up by the addition of clever costumes and masks. They are currently in cahoots with local imprint Kilo to record their debut full length."

"...the second band in the lineup, The Loneliest Monk—-whatchout, kids, these guys were great. The girl in the band plays an electric cello with impeccable skill, and it is simply stunning to listen to... They played their first show (!), and they were already very good. Strongly recommend checking them out." - Olivia is Ferosch [ full post ]