finetune artist: Mono

Formed in London, England in 1996, Mono comprised Siobhan De Mar (b. Siobahn Meehan) and Martin Virgo. Talented vocalist De Mar is the daughter of the Shadows' drummer Tony Meehan, and Virgo a producer who had previously worked with Nellee Hooper on Massive Attack tracks and on Bjrk's Debut. The pair's Life In Mono EP caught the attention of Mercury Records and Mono signed with the label in 1996. Influenced by jazz, 60s chanteuses such as Chantel Goya and Franoise Hardy and film soundtracks, Formica Blues inevitably drew (favourable) comparisons with Portishead. The album received high praise from critics on both sides of the Atlantic. The duo gained further exposure and a growing following in the USA owing to successful live appearances and the use of a track on the soundtrack of the Gwyneth Paltrow movie, Great Expectations. Their tracks have also been licensed to many "chillout" compilations and used on a television commercial for Rover cars in the UK. De Mar has gone on to work with Robin Guthrie, formerly guitarist with the Cocteau Twins, as Violet Indiana. Not to be confused with the Japanese heavy punk band of the same name.

Listen to Mono at Finetune.

(1997) Formica Blues

Life In Mono
Silicone
Slimcea Girl
The Outsider
High Life