Music
Press
By: Justyne Griffin
Groove Staff Writer
As most Berklee students know, the music business is often considered to be one of the most competitive and cutthroat industries around. The unfortunate truth of this statement is especially disappointing when music is one of the only things that has the power to unite people from all walks of life. Despite this mainstream image that most of the music industry has adopted, the existence of organizations such as Monkey Rock successfully show that music sounds best when working together. Established in 2006, Monkey Rock was founded by Berklee student Johnny Nicholson. The group has evolved into a community of artists and friends that support one another by performing and promoting each other as a group. Every Wednesday, members of Monkey Rock come together at All Asia from 6:00pm to 9:00pm and form what is known as The Monkey Rock Writer’s Circle. At these performances, Boston songwriters have the opportunity to perform their works to a supportive environment where the focus is entirely on the writer. Recent performers at this weekly event include The Blue Pages, MUMBLE NEWS, Rino Flavin, Sara Houser, Liz Longley, Johnny Duke, Nicholas Morawiecki, Nathan Reich, Jordan Tarrant, and founder Johnny Nicholson himself. The music performed is described to fit into a genera classified as Contemporary Folk mixing blues, rock, pop, jazz, and roots music into one collective sound.
The group’s unique title, “Monkey Rock” comes from the mountain that originator Johnny Nicholson lives on in Northern California. With the amount of supporters that Monkey Rock has, it is hard to believe that the writer’s circle has only been at All Asia since early October. “Getting the show started, we approached Marc, the manager of All Asia, and told him that we knew a small city full of talented songwriters. If he let us book an evening once a week, we promised him good music, good people, and good business.” The promises made from the Monkey Rock Writer’s Circle have been more than met. With this success, Nicholson plans on taking this community much farther than the East Coast. “The Writer's Circle is just one small step down a long path,” Nicholson states when considering the ambitions of the organization. “The goal is for Monkey Rock to become an international/traveling-festival organized and produced by the artists who choose to invest and participate in the idea.” The motivation and sheer talent that these artists all share will be a definite asset in accomplishing the long term goals that Monkey Rock has set out to accomplish. To learn more about Monkey Rock’s artists, performances, and news visit their website at http://www.monkeyrockrecords.com. - The Berklee Groove
Discography
Ellis Island - Single
Photos
Bio
MUMBLE NEWS IS A BOSTON BASED BAND MAKING THEIR
WAY INTO THE SCENE WITH A COMBINATION OF ENGAGING,
ENERGETIC LIVE PERFORMANCES AND A HUMBLE DO-IT-
YOURSELF ATTITUDE. THE BANDS FOCUS IS ON THE
PROMOTION OF BOTH THEMSELVES AND OTHER ARTISTS,
AND BRINGING TO THE TABLE THE MOST INTOXICATING
CONCENTRATION OF BOLD MUSIC AND DESIGN POSSIBLE.
MUMBLE NEWS DIGITALLY RELEASED THEIR FIRST SINGLE,
ELLIS ISLAND, IN EARLY OCTOBER AND IS IN THE PROCESS
OF RECORDING AN EP TO BE RELEASED IN EARLY FEBRUARY.
THEY HAVE RECEIVED FREQUENT AIRPLAY ON SEVERAL COLLEGE INTERNET RADIO NETWORKS THROUGHOUT THE NORTHEAST. THE BAND HAS PLAYED
BOTH COMMUNITY SHOWS AS WELL AS PERFORMED
CROWDED BUT INTIMATE SHOWS IN COMMERCIAL VENUES.
IN FEBRUARY THEY WILL PLAY THE BERKLEE PERFORMANCE CENTER FOR THE NEW MUSIC FESTIVAL, AND OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS WILL PLAY SHOWS AT COLLEGES AND VARIOUS VENUES IN THE NORTHEAST TO SPREAD THEIR WORD.
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