A shot at the 'big time'
By CHRIS CONTI | February 25, 2009
HIGH HOPES From Cranston West to Island Records. |
Summer 2009 could be the defining moment of Monty Are I's decade-long musical endeavor. The sonic pride of Cranston West High are on the same label as the Killers and Fall Out Boy, and their big-league debut is due out this summer. Resident MAI trombonist/keyboard dude Andrew Borstein gave us the lowdown on all things Monty while prepping their big hometown show at Club Hell, taking the up-close-and-personal approach to a new level when the uber-energetic quintet hit what is sure to be a sold-out thriller. MAI will debut new tracks from the forthcoming disc. Here's an update straight from Borstein, plus our email Q&A:"It's been quite a journey for us over the last year, but we're all the better for it. And the new album [title TBA] totally smokes our last one [2006 's Wall of People]. We started writing and demoing songs in October of 2007 while on tour with Sum 41 and had planned on releasing it by March of 2008 on Stolen Transmission Records. By Christmas of '07 Stolen Transmission folded into their parent company [Island/Def Jam] and our pending release and future was in legal limbo for the next six months. Not only did Island eventually drop all the other Stolen Transmission bands, but they also dropped dozens of their own acts while downsizing and rearranging staff. But all that uncertainty and extra time helped motivate and allow us to make the record even better. We are now officially an Island Records band, and we're done recording our new album. We worked with Matt Squire (Panic At the Disco, Thrice, the Used) at his Hollywood studio from October through December of '08. We have really high hopes for this next record and taking a legitimate shot at the 'big time.' "
Did you guys plan a particular direction musically on the upcoming album?
We spent more time making cohesive song structures and finding ways to squeeze the most potential out of every musical idea. Nothing was too grand, as long as it served the greater good of the song. As far as our musical direction goes, we're still trying to perfect the art of the "three-minute epic" pop song. We wanted each song to be exciting in its own way, with no filler. We had the time and budget to record an 11-piece string section and found ways to incorporate our grandiose tendencies into humble — if not just face-melting — pop-rock songs.
Will a full tour follow the release of the disc?
Specific tour dates aren't officially confirmed yet, but I do know we'll be playing some of this year's Warped Tour.
Did you guys assemble the opening bands for the Club Hell show?
We always put a good deal of effort into choosing bands to play our home shows. We give opportunities to local bands that are trying to make a name for themselves the same way we have for so many years. Getting an opening slot on a big Providence show was such a big deal to us when we first started, so it's something we're proud to share with other local bands.
Related:
Providence music news: February 27, 2009, Lights, camera, action rock!, Bring on the major leagues, More 
- Providence music news: February 27, 2009
Sling some shuffleboard while MARK CUTLER slings the six-string TONIGHT (the 26th) at Nick-a-Nee's
- Lights, camera, action rock!
Keep the Cristal on ice until further notice from Steve Aiello, lead singer/guitarist for Monty Are I, who just released their "official" major label debut, Break Through the Silence on Island/Def Jam.
- Bring on the major leagues
There ain't enough lighter fluid in your Bic to keep pace with Fairhaven's piano-driven anthems on their full-length debut Origins.
- Heart and soul
The Cranston-based quartet Penrose continues to impress, delivering a fervent set at Lupo’s last Friday. The crew has been busy since they swept two categories in this year’s Best Music Poll.
- Guilty pleasure
A.C. Newman is on fire. One of indie rock's most prolific songwriters and performers, Newman has six albums to his credit this decade...
- 'BRU's bracketology
The 2009 WBRU Rock Hunt continues this week with six more bands on tap, following victories by the Viennagram and Baylock last weekend.
- Unextinct
The convo is already off to a bumpy start with one Lou Barlow of Dinosaur Jr., phoning in from his Los Angeles residence at 10:30 am PST.
- One shining moment
Fairhaven won a tight race at the 2009 WBRU Rock Hunt Finals at Lupo's on April 4.
- Creedence-meets-Waylon
No, there will not be country-fried rockabilly renditions of Kilgore Smudge tunes at the Blackstone when ex-Kilgore frontman Jay Berndt resurrects the Revival Preachers (myspace.com/jayberndt) in what will be only their second show since 2005 (the boys reconvened for a wedding party in March).
- Local heroes, ’09 edition
The Rhode Island music community flourished in 2009, with new full-lengths from the Coming Weak, California Smile, and the pride of Cranston West and official big-leaguers Monty Are I, who released Break Through the Silence in September.
- Heard ’round here
There were lots of great records to choose from, so I decided not to limit the list to 10 selections.
- Less
Topics:
Music Features
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, Entertainment, Music, New Music Releases, Pop and Rock Music, Fall Out Boy, Sum41, Matt Squire, Panic! At the Disco, Monty Are I, Monty Are I, Less
