Monograms is the alias of front-man and multi-instrumentalist Ian Jacobs. Over the past few years, the project quickly expanded from a Brooklyn, NYC bedroom recording experiment to a full band endeavor – current lineup includes Rich Carrillo (drums), Michelle Feliciano (synth) and Sam Bartos (bass). Since its conception, Monograms has been everything, supporting international indie regulars Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Goggs (Ty Segall/Ex Cult) Sunflower Bean, Ezra Furman, Caveman, A Place To Bury Strangers, Girl Band, Be Forest, Vertical Scratchers (members of Caribou/Brainiac), Dreamers, Gang Of Youths, Quilt and more, as well as attaining notable press traction from all over the U.S. and Europe.
The music of Monograms is eclectic by design; mosaic pallets that use Jacobs’ vocals, melodic threads and lucid rhythms to hold it all together. The foundation of pop-song structures wrapped in new-wave tones and angular riffs, point the band’s approach at previous decades and the heyday of alternative college radio, as well as contemporary DIY vibes that pull from similar genres. Monograms is Brooklyn’s Nuke Wave.
Glide is thrilled to premiere Living Wire (out 9/20), Monograms’ full album in its entirety – a ravishing mix of hellbent ferocity and angular rhythms. Monograms mix an interdimensional swarm of electricity that touches Gang of Four, Yeasayer and Savages in its potent eight tracks.
“I wanted to try and make a statement with this record, in regards to the album’s theme of our current technological age, and also as something fresh for the band sonically, to keep doing new things in the studio, ” describes Jacobs about Living Wire.
Monograms will be playing at The Broadway on 9/21 to celebrate their release, along with support from Big Bliss, Russian Baths and Jelly Kelly.
