Monophonics

Monophonics are a soul band from San Francisco, United States, active since 2005. Their lineup includes Austin Bohlman, Kelly Finnigan, Ian McDonald and Myles O’Mahony. The group begins as an instrumental ensemble and later adds Finnigan’s soul vocals, giving the band a sound built around psychedelic soul, heavy funk, R&B and soul, with influences from afrobeat and nu funk in its wider classification.

Formation and sound

Formed in 2005, Monophonics emerge from the Bay Area’s musical culture and draw on the city’s history with psychedelia. The original lineup includes guitarist Ian McDonald, bassist Myles O’Mahony, saxophonist Alex Baky, trumpeter Ryan Scott and drummer Austin Bohlman. Over time, keyboardist Kelly Finnigan joins on vocals, and the band develops a style that recalls late-1960s and early-1970s soul and funk while remaining a contemporary live act.

The group’s music is described as psychedelic soul and heavy funk, with a focus on analogue tones, a simpler songwriting approach and a spontaneous feel. Their influences include Norman Whitfield, Funkadelic, David Axelrod and Sly Stone.

Live activity and touring

Monophonics build a reputation through extensive touring and regular shows in San Francisco venues including The Independent, Brick and Mortar and Boom Boom Room. They perform more than 400 live dates, touring from California to the American South. The band also becomes a recurring presence at the New Orleans Jazz Festival.

They share stages and bills with acts including The Budos Band, Orgone, Lonnie Smith, Kings Go Forward and Soulive, and they appear at festivals such as High Sierra, Joshua Tree, Blacksheep Family Reunion, Las Tortugas, Wakarusa and the Portland Waterfront Blues Fest.

Recordings and releases

Monophonics release In Your Brain through Ubiquity Records. The album is recorded and produced in San Francisco by Ian McDonald and Kelly Finnigan, with mixing by Sergio Rios of Orgone at Killion Sound in Los Angeles. It reflects the band’s move toward a fuzzy psychedelic soul and heavy funk sound.

Industry and label links

By 2012, the band signs with the booking agency Intrepid Artists International, which helps expand its touring and festival profile. Ubiquity Records, the label behind In Your Brain, also releases music by artists including Orgone, Shawn Lee, Breakestra, Connie Price and The Keystones.