MONO, June McDoom

LPR Presents & Pioneer Works welcome legendary Japanese instrumental rock band MONO for the 25th Anniversary Orchestral Tour, accompanied by Ensemble LPR.

The Tokyo, Japan based 4-piece Instrumental Rock band MONO was originally formed in 1999. Their unique approach of combining moving orchestral arrangements and shoegaze guitar noise is held in extremely high regard; so much so, that the band's musicianship and the diverse musical palette has eclipsed the Rock genre and exists within its own realm. As British Musical Magazine NME once stated, "this is music for the Gods".

Over the first decade, MONO rapidly established a well-acclaimed status, especially with their live performances. Through their annual world tour consisting of around 150 shows, visiting over 59 countries, both critics and fans of Rock music agree their sheer euphoric, dynamic resonance of performance make MONO one of the best live bands in existence. A particularly monumental early live memory was a special set of orchestra shows, celebrating the 10th anniversary in New York, Tokyo, London and Melbourne; which was later immortalized as the live album "Holy Ground".

2024 marks the 25th anniversary of MONO. To celebrate this occasion, the band will release their 12th new album entitled “OATH” on June 14. The album was produced again with the band’s longtime partner, Steve Albini.

June McDoom’s eponymous debut EP is a collection of songs that collage virtually everything important to her. Growing up in South Florida in a Jamaican household, McDoom was raised around reggae music, which echoed throughout every room of her childhood home. Later, she discovered and nourished her own deep love for folk music and songwriting of the 1960’s and 70’s. While studying in NYC for a degree in Jazz Performance, her musical palette expanded to include the more intricate influences of jazz and early soul. Realizing that her favorite vintage folk music lacked artists with similar identities as her own, it became increasingly important for McDoom to carve a unique musical space – to push folk music towards a new and different audience.