Monarchs' Mixtape Dedication: "This one goes out to Queen B and L Boogie!"

Lauryn Hill and Beyoncé are two of my favorite artists.  I dedicated ft. Celeste - a Monarchs Mixtape to them because I am so inspired, moved and challenged by their music and talents.   This release was my first excercise in rapping, writing over hip hop beats, owning my "babeness," and dancing in a music video (coming soon...) --- all of this was SO MUCH FUN and I am really stoked about continuing a creative exploration of writing and performing from a hip-hop angle.  Thank you Queen B and L Boogie for holding it down as females in the hip hop world!

I bought Fugees' album, "The Score," on CD in Brookwood Mall in Birmingham, Alabama when I was 12 years old.  I wasn't old enough to buy the "Parental Advisory" version - so I know the record backwards and forwards - but without cuss words.  I LOVE Lauryn's chorus and rap in this track:

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is probably my all time favorite record.  I was 14 when it came out and immediately fell in love with it.  That woman speaks from the heart and spirit.  "Ex Factor" is one of those tunes that just cuts me to the soul:

I freaking LOVE Beyoncé's song "Countdown" off of her recent record. Me and my boo, in my boo coup RIDIN':

Dude.  I get so pumped up when I watch her music videos (to the point that I can't sleep and start dancing around my bedroom).  She is the BEST dancer.  I want to do that!  I'm particularly partial to crumping:

xx, Celeste

Gettin' "Loose in the Knees"

I am so stoked about an upcoming video shoot for Monarchs' track Loose in the Knees off of Ft. Celeste - a Monarchs Mixtape.  I LOVE to dance and one of my big goals is to incorporate more dance into Monarchs' videos and shows... so I'm pretty much giddy about the opportunity to BREAK IT DOWN for this music video!  I went on a winter walk in the Connecticut woods and my boyfriend caught me working on some moves for the video... Keep your eyes peeled for the video's release - and, until then - here's a little peek at some subdued wooded-dance moves:

If you haven't gotten Ft. Celeste - a Monarchs Mixtape.  The it's time you copped that ISH!!!  It's FREE for the taking and spreading!

Click here to automatically download ft. Celeste - a Monarchs Mixtape 

xx, Celeste

NEW, FREE Monarchs music: "ft. Celeste - a Monarchs Mixtape"

Click here to automatically download ft. Celeste - a Monarchs Mixtape 
Or, Listen to ft. Celeste on Bandcamp.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
Who says gift giving ends at Christmas? Bah! Monarchs is bringing in the New Year with an absolutely FREE 6 SONG EP! I’m calling it  ft. Celeste – a Monarchs Mixtape because in true hip-hop fashion, I picked out 6 incredibly banging beats to sing, rap and even auto-tune over! What, what?! The tracks have been “borrowed” from underground hip-hop’s best and brightest producers: Clams Casino, Jake One, J-Dilla, Reggie Coby, Javelin, and MF Doom. 

Now plop on those headphones, twist that dial and nod your head! After that, starting sending this *link to everyone you know who loves free great music! 
 
Is this the end of violin-laced, Monarchs ballads you ask? No way! ft. Celeste is just me striking out artistically and staying vital by challenging myself and having fun. As a loyal fan, you get to just sit there and reap da’ booty from this voyage absolutely free. Hope you have as much fun listening as I did making it and in the eternal words of Dr. Dre, “keep your heads ringin’!”
 
xx,
Celeste

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*Share the automatic download link: http://bit.ly/yhdd6V
*Share the Bandcamp link: http://monarchsfamily.bandcamp.com/album/ft-celeste-a-monarchs-mixtape

Culture Maps Austin Features Monarchs' The Rise and Fall in "2011 in Austin music: The best local albums of the year"

Man.  This writer is right.  Monarchs' record The Rise and Fall is truly a catalog of my life in Austin and is a sonic interpretation of the uniquely Austin lifestyle.  Gives me serious pangs of missing that sunny place... and taco trucks.  Love you ATX, though I'm gone, I've brought you with me and will be back soon.  Thanks for the love. 

Don't have Monarchs' album, The Rise and Fall, yet, get it here!

Link to full article here.  Below is the section on Monarchs:

Monarchs, The Rise And Fall
The Rise And Fall is such a singular statement of Austin life — from producer Mike McCarthy’s Spoon/Patti Griffin/Heartless Bastards pedigree to its odes to bike dates on the East Side — that it’s kind of shocking that frontwoman Celeste Griffin moved away shortly after the album’s release. Still, after putting out a record as strong as this, which slides effortlessly between soft, country-twinged ballads and a bouncy, indie-pop sounds, the now-Brooklyn based Monarchs probably belong to the world now. We’ll take a record that sounds every bit like what living a certain type of Austin lifestyle in 2011 was like, and hope that Griffin comes back to visit — with a full band in tow.

Aw Suki Suki in Western Mass

Took a drive from NYC up to Western Massachusettes this past weekend to see my dear friends Greg and Solange.  Greg is the drummer/guitarist/singer for David Wax Museum -- if you don't know their music, or haven't seen them live, you really should get on that.  I highly recommend their live show.

Alex and I took a stroll around the grounds of Greg and Solanges' 1880 home... I felt so moved and made up this tune on the spot.  This video captures the actual moment of inspiration for the diddy that I'm calling "Sweet Nothings"... Aw Suki Suki, xx, C