There are few things in life that hold the same impact as music. I feel safe in saying that music is the current of our lives, flowing and forming events/periods. I can say that music has a huge role in how I live, and though I am not a musician, I wish I could better speak the language that is music, creating my own words with sound. The language of music is more powerful than the vocal or written, communicating emotion with such force without a single word. The music that speaks most loudly, and I am most drawn to is that which evokes from me the most emotion. I have one band that has been my favorite for a few years now, and I have been lucky enough to call all the members friends. Very few bands can evoke the sense of desperation, hope, and everything in between, all in one song, or give me chills with the strength of their songs even after I have heard it hundreds of times.

From Monument to Masses is bar none the most amazing band I have ever heard. Three friends from the Bay Area (sadly Francis has left us for NY) creating songs that speak louder than any other band I know with any amount of singing or screaming. There is just little I can say that do these guys justice. The music speaks for itself. All three as individuals cast a large shadow, making me want to strive to be a better person for they are all extremely intelligent and engaged within their communities, cultures, and friends. They are simply some of the most amazing people I have ever met, and I am glad that I am able to know and work on projects with them.

With no singer, they rely on samples and the pure emotion of their instruments. Following a constantly aware political conscience, all the songs contain the struggle of those all over the world that are oppressed. I feel anger, sadness, hope, and compassion, and all within the same song. Each song contains various transitions where three or four songs fuse into one, conveying all these emotions, as if a story. To take it to an alternate level, they represent to me Post-Modern communication in music. A barrage of sounds that form together into one communication that is subjective yet consistently following a narrative. And a narrative that is stronger from the combination of signs, than the constant structure found in music. Either way, no band has ever had such an effect on myself. Wanting so much to destroy, yet cry at the same time, all spawned from one song. How music shapes my, our, lives is amazing, and I am glad I have this here to empower my mood, or change it for better or worse. From Monument to Masses is the soundtrack of my life, and millions around the world.

I truly love these guys and their music. If you get the chance, one of their few shows coming up is at Bottom of the Hill on April twentieth. You should really come out.