Mona

Mona is an American rock band from Dayton, Ohio and Bowling Green, Kentucky who now live in Nashville, Tennessee. The band rose to fame appearing as part of the BBC's Sound of 2011 poll; which was revealed on 5 December 2010. The band were also crowned the Brand New for 2011 title at the MTV Awards. Their debut album was released on May, 16 2011 in the UK through Zion Noiz Recordings/Island Records and was released on February 28, 2012 in the US through Zion Noiz Recordings/Mercury Records. Career edit: Early Career (2007 - 2009) edit: Mona, consisting of Nick Brown (lead vocals, guitar), Vince Gard (drums, percussion), Zach Lindsey (bass, backing vocals) and Jordan Young (guitar, backing vocals), originated from Dayton, Ohio and Bowling Green, Kentucky respectively, though they are now based in Nashville, Tennessee. Brown revealed the band's name refers to his grandmother, Mona Brown. Formed in 2007, the band went through various line-up alterations during its first few years. Zach joined the group following a band visit to Nashville, Tennessee, where Zach was finishing a project with another band, Sleeper Agent. Jordan, an old friend of Zach's, was brought in following the previously mentioned guitarist's exit. In April 2009, Brown was introduced to Saul Galpern, creator of Nude Records by a mutual friend. Soon after their online introduction, Galpern flew to Nashville to meet the band. Having been very impressed by them, Galpern signed a management contract with the band which led to a record deal with Island Records and Mercury Records in September 2010. Mona (2010 - present) edit: On November 20, 2010, the band appeared on the BBC's Later... with Jools Holland, in which they performed the songs "Teenager", "Listen to Your Love" and "Lines In the Sand". On December 6, 2010, it was revealed that Mona had been longlisted on the BBC's Sound of 2011 poll, which predicts artists that will become successful in the year ahead. It was also revealed that month the band had made the longlist of MTV Awards' Brand New for 2011. On February 3, 2011, it was announced Mona had won the title. The band released their debut single "Listen to Your Love" in the United Kingdom on September 13, 2010 through their own independent record label Zion Noiz Recordings. Second single "Trouble On the Way" was then released through Zion Noiz Recordings/Island Records on December 13, 2010. Mona released their third single "Teenager" on February 7, 2011. Their fourth and final UK single, "Shooting the Moon", was released on July 31, 2011. In February 2011 Mona announced the release date of their self-titled debut album which was self-produced by the band in their basement in Nashville and mixed by producer Rich Costey (Foo Fighters, Muse, Arctic Monkeys). European album release (2011) edit The official album artwork was released on March 21, 2011. Mona was released in the United Kingdom on May 16, 2011. They also released the "Listen to Your Love - EP" the same day. The next day they played their biggest show to date at the sold out Electric Ballroom in Camden Town, London, England. Following the albums release the band embarked on a world-spanning tour which saw them play most of the world's largest and most prestigious festivals; including Glastonbury Festival and Reading and Leeds Festival in the UK, Summer Sonic Festival in Japan and Splendour in the Grass in Australia. As well as touring the festival circuit they supported fellow Nashville band Kings of Leon on selected dates of their summer tour, including shows at Slane Concert near Slane, County Meath, Ireland on May 28, 2011 and Hyde Park, London on June 22, 2011. They also headlined their own tour of the United Kingdom and Europe in the summer and early fall of 2011 culminating in a sold out show at London's O2 Shepherds Bush Empire. U.S. album release (2012 - present) edit Mona released their debut album in the United States on February 28, 2012. On that day they made their national television debut on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno performing "Lean Into The Fall", they also appeared on the Conan show on March 2, 2012, playing lead US single "Lean Into The Fall". Since, they have gone on to play a headline tour of the United States and are currently supporting Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds on tour in the United States.

Source: Wikipedia

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