Au Revior, Monarchs [Show Preview]

Charm School Vintage

Monarchs w/ Frank Smith and My Golden Calf
Thursday, September 15
Mohawk (912 Red River Street)
$6, all ages, indoor
[info]

We’re used to hearing stories of musicians moving to our city limits to ply their trade, but Austin can lose a few, too. Such is the case of Monarchs, the soul-pop band led by Celeste Griffin. She’s packing up and moving the outfit to the bright lights of New York City. But before she leaves, you can say goodbye tonight at the Mohawk where Monarchs will be saying “au revoir, Austin” and hello to a fall mini-tour.

Griffin was first lured to Austin from Birmingham, Alabama a few years ago. Two EPs—2008’s The Oak and 2009’s Those Words, Those Frames—marked strong introductions to Monarchs’ rootsy sound, but it was this year’s full-length debut, The Rise & Fall, that really sets a path for greatness. Produced by Mike McCarthy (he of Spoon and Patty Griffin fame), the LP shows off Griffin’s larger-than-life voice in the service of pure pop pleasures. Her backing band can shift between sweet hooks and deep grooves at the drop of a hat while Griffin’s razor-sharp lyrics bob up and down. And this is what makes tonight so bittersweet—we hate to see such a promising talent leave our city, but damn if Monarchs isn’t headed straight to the top.

Helping out with the goodbyes is Frank Smith, the local alt-country outfit that’s also on the up-and-up. They’re set to release a new eight-song EP in the next few weeks, and if it’s anything like their past few releases, it should be another bold step into a spacey, countrified direction. Fellow Austinites My Golden Calf open the night with groovy folk rock that could potentially fill the Monarchs-sized hole in Austin’s heart in the coming months. Au revoir, Monarchs, and good luck in the Big Apple!

Monarchs: [official] [bandcamp]
Frank Smith: [official] [facebook]
My Golden Calf: [facebook] [soundcloud]