Bands to watch out for: The Loneliest Monk

This bare-bones twosome, composed of Michelle Morales (cello/keyboards/vocals) and Miles Benjamin (drums/vocals)—with their masks, three piece suits, and phantom-of-the-Opera flair—straddle the fine line between appearing puerile and developing an actual sound. In fact, part of me wants to hate them: their syrupy cadences, slow, drawn out notes, and theatrical sensibilities have the potential to be every bit as annoying as one would expect from any self-proclaimed “avant-garde” indie duo. However, Morales and Benjamin just bring too much skill to the table; unlike so many of their counterparts, the Loneliest Monk is comprised of two real musicians, whose intellect, poise, and tonal restraint give their songs an ethereal quality, and make their performances truly memorable… their protracted notes, wistful harmonies, and masquerade-ball garb blend with the rain like an old-fashioned haunting. Any less talent, and this pair would simply look like a couple of hipsters playing dress-up.

-Anna Piepmeyer